Vikings Build-A-Bed Challenge

Massachusetts has the top ten highest rates of homelessness in the United States. In 2016, 14.5% of children under the age of eighteen in Massachusetts were living below the poverty line. Poverty among public school students in Massachusetts has spiked in the past decade even with the improving economy and continues to affect children in the North Shore area today.   

The Center for Civic Engagement serves an integral partner within the greater community striving to creatively address local, regional, and global challenges. It is essential that the center and the university plays an active role in addressing social justice issues that directly impact the residents of the North Shore area.    

This December the center is partnering with A Bed For Every Child, The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and St. Jean's Credit Union for our Vikings Build-A-Bed Challenge. This is a campus-wide initiative to help ensure a good night sleep for 50 Massachusetts children living in poverty.   

On Monday, December 4, 2017, in the Gassett Fitness Center we had 50 pairs of Salem State students (or alumni) from various clubs, teams, organizations, classes, etc. come together to build, sand, and paint beds in one hour. We were able to build 50 beds for children in the North Shore area.  

All the money raised through this crowdfunding efforts will go directly to paying for the supplies that were needed to build the beds and provide children with the necessities to have a good night sleep. Your contribution is instrumental to this cause and directly supports children in the North Shore area. No donation is too small.   

You could be the reason a child has a brand new bed this holiday season.    

Thank you so much for your contribution in advance!