Too many kids sleep in drawers, on sofas, on floors. This Fort Worth woman is there to help

Like many folks during the COVID-19 pandemic, Amy West took a good look at the world around her. What could she do to make it better?

Then she realized few things match the comfort and security of a nice, warm place to sleep. Sadly, she also discovered that many youngsters do not have this. Every night children in Tarrant County and throughout America sleep in unfortunate conditions and without comfortable beds.

So she decided to do something. She started the nonprofit organization Cots4Tots, which provides beds for young children, including “Pack ‘n’ Play” and toddler beds.

“I have personal experience of a friend adopting two children and I saw how fast the need can come for foster care or resources for help. It can literally happen overnight,” said West, 51, of Fort Worth.

West noted that for a baby, the importance of having a good bed is critical for reducing the risk of sleep-related deaths from SIDS or accidental suffocation. For toddlers, after they reach a year old, it is important for their development to get enough sleep, which may not happen if they don’t have a comfortable and safe place to sleep.

“But it is also important to reduce sleep-related injuries that could occur if they are sleeping in a crowded bed, on a sofa, in a drawer, or on the floor,” she added.

According to an organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nationwide group that also provides beds for youngsters, up to 3% of children in America do not have a bed. They estimate that between 1.5 million and 2 million kids sleep on the floor every night.

Making a connection

West works full time for Abbvie pharmaceuticals and manages trade and distribution for an oncology drug. She and her husband also own Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spas in the area.

She originally reached out to the Tarrant County Rainbow Room, which works with low-income children involved with Child Protective Services. West wanted to provide suitcases or duffel bags for kids moving into foster care. She said she was informed that CPS and Rainbow Room would not have a need for them as they did not run the foster care division of the agency any longer.

When West asked what the children really needed she was told the biggest need was toddler beds/cots and Pack ‘n Plays for safe sleep, and that no one was providing them. So she shifted her thoughts and decided she would do what she could to fulfill this need.

“By providing the basic items needed for the safety of the child while he or she remains at home or with kin, removal can often be prevented,” said Elna Chester, Manager of the Tarrant County Rainbow Room. “To aide in reducing the risk of infant/child death or harm, the Tarrant County Rainbow Room makes efforts to provide safe sleep items for children newborn to 5 years, including those with special needs.”

And that’s where West and her organization came in to help. Chester said that many efforts have been made within the community to provide safe sleep for youngsters. However, due to conditions of the families served by CPS, the need often arises for additional support or assistance for the families or kin that may temporarily care for the children.

“As I have been in the position of coordinator since 2021, I can attest to an increasing need for safe sleep among the families that are served through the Tarrant County Rainbow Room. Cots4Tots has been a wonderful source and has helped more than 50 families since inception,” Chester said.

“I have been greatly encouraged by Amy Glass, her beautiful spirit, and great desire to give back to the most vulnerable within our communities. I have been very encouraged. I look forward to a very sustaining partnership between Cots4Tots and Tarrant County Rainbow Room.

Official nonprofit

West filed to become a nonprofit organization in 2021, but due to government shutdowns because of COVID, the certification didn’t come through until August of 2022. During the waiting, she donated cots and Pack ‘n Plays personally.

West said she has received financial support from a couple of businesses in Fort Worth and personal friends, which allows her to provide more cots than she was able to personally.

“Amy is amazing. She has a heart for serving and her efforts make a huge difference every day,” CPS Board Liaison Supervisor Stacey Jourdain said. “Having a safe, comfortable place for a child to sleep alone is imperative to child safety and healthy development. We are very fortunate to have this partnership with Cots4Tots, which provides a basic necessity often taken for granted that many families need and all children deserve.”

Glass only recently got the organization’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages up, so the only fundraising she has done so far is through those channels. She said she is planning on holding some fundraisers throughout the year, so keep watch.

In the meantime, anyone who wants to donate can go to the website to donate directly at cots4tots.com.

“I am grateful to have been connected to The Rainbow Room of Tarrant County and to provide this resource for them,” Glass said. “My goal is to ultimately broaden the reach of Cots4Tots outside of Tarrant County and provide this resource for all 11 Rainbow Rooms in the state of Texas.”