Rebecca and Allison began to notice that many middle schoolers within their community were having a tough time focusing during class. After further research, they learned that one large reason behind the lack of focus, is a lack of sleep. Diving in more, they also learned that the insomniac tendencies amongst middle schoolers were due to poor sleeping habits developed at a young age.
In order to address the issue, the girls teamed up with their local YMCA and St. Therese Faith Formation classes to create sleep kits for children between the ages of three and six years old. Each sleep kit contained a coloring book highlighting tips and tricks to help fall asleep at a decent hour, crayons, a stuffed animal, and a blanket. Additionally, the girls also created an informational video to teach parents about the emotional and physical benefits of a healthy sleep routine.
To ensure the lasting impact of their project, Rebecca and Allison made an agreement with the YMCA and St. Therese Faith Formation to continue making copies of the coloring books and distribute them to age-appropriate children.
“We actually have a voice and can accomplish things […] being friendly to the kids, parents, and everyone else who contributed to the project. We had to be responsible for what we said and did, especially with adults that we interacted with. We needed to be respectful of others’ time and efforts. We were courageous because we stepped up and worked with the community to help with something we care about, and we really do think we made the world a better place,” said Rebecca and Allison.