“We were able to put everything into good homes with families who really needed it!” - Family Promise South Florida
Our Story
I’m Dylan Grossmann the founder and president of Comfort Ahead and a current sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout my life I’ve struggled with Insomnia and a genetic sleep disorder, DSPS. In working to better my sleep and improve my life, I found that my bed changed from an uninviting place to stare at the ceiling to a positive space of relaxation and comfort that I look forward to crawling into. Fortunately, I have an inviting bed to sleep in each night, but many are not so lucky. After contacting local homeless and domestic violence shelters, I found that oftentimes people take their pillow or blanket from the shelter with them upon departure and then shelters don’t have enough bedding for everyone to get a clean set upon arrival. This issue deeply saddened me as I know firsthand the importance of having a comfortable bed to fuel your life and reach your dreams. I wanted to do what I could to ensure that more people could feel at rest in bed, which is how Comfort Ahead was born. I started by identifying shelters in my home, the Chicagoland area as well as South Florida where I frequently spend time with my family. Comfort Ahead focuses on donating gently used and new bed supplies to shelters as well as educating others on the mental and physical benefits of a good night’s sleep and how to achieve it.
I am Ashley Weissman, a co-vice president of Comfort Ahead. I am currently a freshman at Syracuse University. Something that holds a lot of importance to me is crawling into my bed every night and being with myself. As this is something I look forward to each day, I want to make sure others experience that same feeling. Working with Comfort Ahead has opened my eyes and showed me that many aren't as lucky and do not get a place to go every night. This problem means a great deal to me, and I want to make a difference by helping people who don't have access to a comfortable bed get the bedding they need to feel a sense of relief each night as they step into a bed.
My name is Lila Weissman, and I am the co-vice president of Comfort Ahead and a sophomore at Byram Hills High School. After long days filled with school, extracurriculars, and homework, I’ve always cherished having a safe and comfortable place to rest. However, my work with Comfort Ahead has opened my eyes to how many people lack this basic necessity. This organization has shown me how vital it is to provide others with the essentials for a restful night’s sleep. It’s heartbreaking to think about the countless individuals who don’t have access to something as simple as a warm bed. This reality drives me to take action. Through my work with Comfort Ahead, I strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Everyone deserves the comfort and ease of a proper place to rest, and I am committed to helping make that a reality!
