Sleep In Heavenly Peace: Unidos

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nonprofit organization. This resource builds and provides beds for children in need with no cost to the families. This establishment was founded in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2012 by Heidi and Luke Mickelson. However it has only been introduced to Muscatine, Iowa as of this year. Co-presidents being Stephanie Miller and Sarah Walsh.

The Volunteer Manager of this establishment, Heather Clark, has the role of recruiting, scheduling, and training these participants. This organization is dependent and successful through volunteer work. Events are normally held on Saturdays from 8am-3pm. Any member of the community can contribute with no experience or skills.

Along with volunteer work, SHP also uses donations as a resource. Since there are two portions of this project, different items will be needed to fulfill the assigned work. For example on a “Build Day” items such as, tools,lumber, and hardware would be needed. Along with new mattresses, bedding, and pillows for a “delivery day“.

Tamara Bowers is a current long term sub for MHS along with being a member of SHP. Bowers . is a fairly new member, joining in June of 2023. Her role in this establishment is to lead the building process of the beds and to make the deliveries

On September 20th. 2023 Day of Caring was held by United way of Muscatine. Unidos along with IJag, which is another group from MHS, participated in this event. The iJAG program was working alongside Unity Point Healthcare and the Fire Department to distribute and install smoke detectors in Muscatine homes that were in need of them. Unidos was helping with the building process for SHP. Other organizations such as Calvary Church and CBI Bank & Trust volunteered as well. That day a total of 27 beds were ready to be delivered.

Unidos Group Member, Vanessa Garcia states, “There’s kids that don’t have beds, and by us literally just being there for a couple of hours impacted a lot of people.” Groups that volunteer for SHP such as Unidos, make such an amazing impact on Muscatine Families.

Overall Muscatine’s volunteers have gone out and beyond to put forth the effort to do volunteer work for the purpose of no kids sleeping on the floor. Groups that do volunteer work like Unidos make a positive impact in our community.