Building Dreams: Positive Workforce Joins National 24-Hour Bunk Bed Build to Help End Child Bedlessness

At the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina, nearly 5,500 volunteers united for a powerful mission: to build 5,000 bunk beds nationwide in just 24 hours for children in need. The event, led by Lowe’s and its nonprofit partner Sleep in Heavenly Peace, was part of a nationwide campaign to address a heartbreaking reality: millions of children in the U.S. sleep on the floor every night.

Among the dedicated volunteers was Positive Workforce, a New York-based nonprofit selected as a recipient of Lowe’s prestigious Gable Grant. Awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant, Positive Workforce uses this national recognition to deepen its impact on construction workforce development and community outreach. Their participation in the 24-hour build symbolized a strong partnership with Lowe’s and demonstrated the organization’s unwavering commitment to uplifting underserved communities.

“This build was more than a project, it was a movement,” said Vinny Torres, Executive Director of Positive Workforce. “It showed what’s possible when corporations, nonprofits, and everyday people unite for a common goal. We were honored to be invited by Lowe’s to participate and proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of volunteers and community-based organizations to bring comfort and dignity to children across the country.”

As a leader in workforce development for marginalized communities, Vinny Torres has also been recognized as a thought leader on retention in construction trades training programs.  He was also invited to participate in the national roundtable hosted by Lowes, focused on improving trainee retention, a challenge many workforce programs face.  His success in this area is grounded in a “tough love” approach that holds participants accountable while offering meaningful support. Positive Workforce has maintained a strong track record of long-term client engagement by helping program graduates gain access to union jobs and other construction projects.

Torres also understands the power of community and family support. Under his leadership, Positive Workforce hosts annual family-oriented events, including a community BBQ and a holiday toy and food drive, creating a sense of belonging and reinforcing a network of support for program participants and their loved ones.

The 24-hour bunk bed build used more than 96 miles of lumber, 200 drills, and 1,700 gallons of wood stain. Volunteers nationwide worked tirelessly to ensure 5,000 children in 16 states finally had a bed to call their own.

For Positive Workforce, the event was a perfect convergence of mission and action, creating tangible change for families in need while reinforcing the organization’s vital role as a leader in community-based workforce development and social impact.