Mattress by Appointment, in partnership with Connections Count at Pendleton Place, recently provided a mattress to a young adult exiting out of the foster care system who is working towards building a new life.
After spending years in foster care, the adolescent is now eligible to exit the system and must forge a life independent from foster care’s assistance. To alleviate some of the uncertainty of this transition, Mattress By Appointment was thrilled to help this young teen navigate the next stage of life by donating a high-quality mattress.
“Sleep is a vital aspect of development and is difficult without a secure and clean environment. At Mattress By Appointment, we feel compelled to donate our mattresses to contribute to restful sleep, especially for young adults who are continually developing. A place to rest should be available to everyone,” says CEO Shoffner.
Mattress By Appointment began its partnership with Pendleton Place in efforts to equip children, adolescents, and families with the resources to rebuild successful lives. The company continues its pledge to donate mattresses to those who need them as they age out of the foster care system.
After receiving the mattress, the former client of the Connections Count program reached out to extend gratitude for the gift. “It felt really good to be able to sleep on a bed last night, especially when I get to call it mine. Thank you again so much,” says the individual.
The Connections Count program at Pendleton Place seeks to break the cycle of poverty and abuse through comprehensive service coordination, case planning for self-sufficiency, and coaching for youth transitioning out of foster care as well as runaway and homeless youth.
In 2015, 227 young adults aged out of foster care in South Carolina, approximately 30 to 40 of them in Greenville County. Overnight, these young adults no longer have transportation, stable housing, healthcare, financial assistance, or a social worker to call in a time of crisis. Without a mother, father, or caring family member, our clients at Connections Count begin adulthood without family supports.
Nationally, 1 in 5 youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness. In South Carolina that number is 1 in 4. Pendleton Place is currently working, in partnership with United Housing Connections, to open a youth drop-in center to address the basic, immediate needs of this population, including access to hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, computer labs, and more.
Visit pendletonplace.org for additional information.