advocate
’90
KENDRA STITT ROBINS
’96
Good Night, Sleep Tight… A blanket. A storybook. A stuffed animal. All are simple items that, together, provide a sense of security and comfort to a child in need. Each year, 25,000 homeless children receive these childhood essentials thanks to Project Night Night, a non-profit organization founded by Kendra Stitt Robins ’90. Currently, there are more homeless children in the United States than at any other time since the Great Depression; Ms. Robins’ awardwinning organization helps these children “to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant” with its Night Night Packages. The bundles include a security blanket, age-appropriate children’s book, and stuffed animal, all inside a canvas tote bag. Ms. Robins was moved to action when she observed how important nighttime routines, security, and sleep were for her own son’s wellbeing. “My two-year-old son Cole was the inspiration for Project Night Night,” Ms. Robins said on her website. “He led me to realize that putting him to bed was one of the most critical parts of his day. Without a full night’s sleep, the next day was a struggle. With this realization came the concern for the many homeless and transient children who lacked the most basic bedtime comforts. These children, just like my son, deserve to have a security blanket to snuggle and a stuffed animal to squeeze as they drifted off to sleep. With that compelling desire to help those too young to help themselves, I left a successful legal career to launch Project Night Night.” Since its inception in 2005, Project Night Night has donated over 125,000 children’s books and currently has 10,000 volunteers. The organization provides resources to get both individuals and organizations involved in their work. Project Night Night has partnered with hundreds of shelters, established drop-off locations to collect donations of like-new children’s items, and created the Adopt a Night Night Package program to encourage community action. Project Night Night has received frequent media attention about its valuable work, and was named Best Children’s Charity by San Francisco Magazine and Most Awww-Inspiring Charity by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Ms. Robins has also been honored by Traditional Home as one of its Classic Women of the Year. To get involved or find out more, visit projectnightnight.org
’99
’95 ’93