In a heartwarming display of community spirit, a diverse group of volunteers came together in Syracuse, New York, to build 50 beds for children in need. This remarkable initiative, spearheaded by the Bouie Foundation, the Eastwood Rotary Club, and the North Side Learning Center, showcased the power of collaboration and the transformative impact that a simple act of kindness can have on a community.

Empowering the North Side, One Bed at a Time

A Chance Encounter Sparks a Remarkable Collaboration

It all began with a chance encounter at a Rotary meeting, where Esther Zorn, the president of the Eastwood Rotary, met Roosevelt Bouie, a former Syracuse University basketball player. Bouie had been building beds for children in need through his initiative, "50 Winks," as part of the Bouie Foundation. Inspired by Bouie's work, Zorn knew the Eastwood Rotary had to get involved and bring the bed build to Syracuse.

Bringing the Community Together

With Bouie's enthusiastic agreement, Zorn found another local partner in the North Side Learning Center. The center's director, Mark Cass, eagerly provided the space and mobilized a team of volunteers to participate in the bed build. Among them was Fatna Mohamed, a community navigator at the North Side Learning Center who had emigrated to Syracuse from North Sudan in 2011. Mohamed quickly identified 32 families in need of beds, including one for her own daughter.

A Diverse Team of Volunteers

The group that gathered at the North Side Learning Center on that fateful Saturday in early November was a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds, with varying levels of construction experience. But as they drilled, sawed, and hammered together, those differences faded into the background. "There was community happening," Zorn observed, as the volunteers worked towards a common goal.

Empowering the Next Generation

The highlight of the event, according to Zorn, was the eagerness and growth displayed by the children from the North Side Learning Center who participated in the build. "They eased in. They were welcomed. They were taught. Nobody criticized them. They were encouraged," Zorn said, underscoring the transformative impact the experience had on the young volunteers.

Exceeding the Goal

While the group didn't quite reach their goal of building 50 beds in a single day, they have already delivered a dozen beds to the community. Bouie explained that the day was more about teaching the children how to use the tools and engage them in the build, rather than finishing as many beds as possible. The following weekend, the group assembled again and surpassed their goal, finishing 50 loft beds and 12 bunk beds.

A Lasting Impact

The anticipated 50 beds will be delivered with mattresses over the next few weeks by the North Side Learning Center, with support from the Bouie Foundation. This initiative has not only provided much-needed beds for children in the North Side community but has also fostered a sense of community, empowered the next generation, and demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration.