It’s a lesson in getting a good night’s sleep. It’s all part of a child’s visit to the Pajama Program Center in Murray Hill.

The over 20-year-old organization believes that good nights are good days, promoting equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive.

“We know that sleep is free, but not every child’s bedtime routine is equal, not all children are experiencing a good night’s sleep the same way, and that’s where pajama program comes in,” said Jamie Dyce, executive director of Pajama Program.

What You Need To Know

  • The Pajama Program was founded in 2001

  • The Murray Hill-based program gets pajamas and books to children in shelters, foster care and underserved communities

  • Pajama Program's mission also includes providing sleep health education to children and their caregivers

  • The philosophy is that children will perform better in school and other activities with a good night's rest

Marketing executive Genevieve Piturro founded the organization in 2001. While reading to children in city homeless shelters, Piturro encountered many who did not have pajamas.

Since then, the non-profit has delivered more than 7.5 million pairs of pajamas and bedtime story books to children. Over the past few years, the organization has added sleep health education to its mission, working not only with kids but their caregivers too.

“We seek to improve comforting bedtime routines by empowering caregivers and we have the evidence to show that we are able to do that,” said Carol Ripple, chief program officer for Pajama Program.

When children visit the center, they meet up with volunteers who read with them, another part of the Pajama Program mission — building caring connections between adults and children.

“During the course of the program here at the center, children pair up with volunteers, and they get to spend some quality time reading with one another and getting to know each other, and there are so many smiles and the kids have a fabulous time, it’s a wonderful experience for not only the children but the volunteers too,” said Dyce.

To volunteer and find out more: https://pajamaprogram.org/