In Metro Detroit, Stase and her family have experienced firsthand the transformative power of Pajama Program. As a mother who adopted her twin boys through foster care, Stase was committed to creating a nurturing environment for her children. Her goal was to help John and Nicholas thrive. Among all the elements that contributed to their well-being, one stood out above the rest: sleep.
For children who’ve experienced foster care and trauma, restful sleep can be elusive. But for John, a teddy bear he named John Jr., which was given to him as part of the bedtime materials through Pajama Program, made a world of difference. “John Jr. has been more than a toy,” Stase explains. “He became a companion who helped John settle into healthy bedtime routines, especially during the pandemic when he and his brother needed extra comfort.”
John’s connection with John Jr. not only helped create a sense of security but also inspired his creativity. John, now a pre-teen with a passion for comic books, decided to make John Jr. a key character in his comic series. “He’s in my comic book because he’s been such a big part of my life,” John shares. “He’s like a friend who’s always there, especially when I needed him most during those hard nights.”
John’s twin brother, Nicholas, has also benefited from Pajama Program’s resources, and the bond the two brothers share has grown stronger through the comforting bedtime routines they’ve developed together. While John Jr. became a key character in John’s comics, Nicholas had his own favorite stuffed animal from Pajama Program, and the two boys relied on these simple comforts to get through challenging times. “Having something to hold on to at night made a huge difference for both of them,” Stase adds.
John and Nicholas’s story is a great reminder of how Pajama Program’s materials, like pajamas, books, and teddy bears, go beyond comfort—they become lifelines for children. Research shows that children in foster care often struggle with sleep due to trauma, making it more difficult to develop regular, healthy sleep routines.
Pajama Program has spent over two decades leveling the playing field for children facing adversity, particularly those in foster care. The organization focuses on sleep because it is a foundational pillar of health and well-being. Through programs that distribute over 300,000 bedtime materials annually and offer workshops for caregivers, Pajama Program ensures that children like John and Nicholas can enjoy more restful nights and, in turn, better days.
Healthy sleep plays a crucial role in a child’s mood, learning, and physical health. Children are truly at their best when they get the right amount of sleep, allowing them to wake up refreshed, ready to focus, and tackle the day ahead. For John, his improved sleep routine meant more energy and focus in school and the ability to enjoy his hobbies. “When I sleep better, I can focus in school, play soccer, and work on my comics,” John says.
His mother reflects on the challenges she faced early on. “Getting them to sleep was difficult, but Pajama Program provided tools that helped create a sense of safety. John Jr. became a part of John’s bedtime routine, and that made all the difference,” she explains. For Nicholas, the bedtime books and stuffed animals from Pajama Program offered similar comfort, making bedtime a calming and reassuring time for both boys.
Ann Raftery, Pajama Program’s Director of Learning & Development, who first met Stase when the boys were very young, witnessed firsthand the difference that healthy sleep routines—and the comfort of a teddy bear—can make in a child’s life. “Ann has been such a positive force in helping us create a better environment for sleep,” says Stase. “Her support, and the tools we received from Pajama Program, really set the foundation for restful nights.”
We love hearing stories from families we’ve impacted! If you would like to support more families like John, Nicholas, and Stase, consider volunteering at Pajama Program or making a contribution.
For foster care agencies, Pajama Program offers Fostering Sleep, a 1.5-hour healthy sleep workshop for staff. To learn more, contact Jennifer Delatour, Director of Family Resource Programs, at jdelatour@pajamaprogram.org.
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