Check out Joe Genovese

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Genovese.

Joe, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am the chapter president of a relatively new, non-profit mission in the US called Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). I retired from a career in sales & marketing 18 months ago but prefer to say that I’m “re-wired” not “retired.”

I have been involved in the community volunteering for 30 years, primarily with Habitat for Humanity, where I build houses and have served on the Board of Directors for the last six years. I have a passion for helping those people in need who are typically marginalized in our society, especially children. I discovered in my community work that I was a bit naive to the struggles of many children when it came to essential needs like a place to sleep. I found SHP around the same time I stopped full-time work and applied for the Phoenix chapter because of the tremendous need here in Arizona.

I am a native of New York City, have been married to my high school sweetheart for over 45 years, have two married daughters who reside here in AZ and have four grandchildren. I have been blessed in many more ways in my life than I can describe here on these pages and according to my faith traditions, the best way to give thanks for all this is to pass it on to others.

My wife, Donna, and I have been residents of Scottsdale for the last 23 years.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
As chapter president of the Phoenix chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, I have assembled a team of like-minded volunteers, and in the nine months since our inception, we have built 124 bunk beds (or 248 beds) with sponsorship dollars from churches, corporations, and generous individuals. We have delivered and assembled 182 beds to children in that same time. At bunk bed builds and deliveries we have had the support of over 525 volunteers and have raised over $40,000 from generous sponsors like Tuft&Needle mattress company, Lowe’s, Scottsdale Bible Church and many more.

And while building and delivering bunk beds to kids in need is what we do, we do it because, as our mantra says, “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town”!

Equally important is the fact that SHP employs all volunteer, non-paid help, and as such, we are building a tremendous sense of community spirit as we do this good work.

Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
The world is becoming more polarized every day. SHP brings people together in a common cause – to help children in need. We are “Humans helping humans… and the littlest humans of all are struggling”!

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Our national website is shpbeds.org.

Our Facebook page for our local chapter is: Sleep in Heavenly Peace-AZ, Phoenix.

Donations can be made on our website and can be designated for the Phoenix chapter. Members of the community interested in volunteering with us can “like” our Facebook page and be kept appraised of all upcoming events.

Families in need of beds for their children can apply on our website and choose the link “Request a Bed.” Once they complete the application for a bed, they will be contacted by one of our volunteers to asses their need. If approved, we then set up a delivery date and time.

Contact Info:

• Website: shpbeds.org
• Phone: 480-544-3498
• Email: joe.genovese@shpbeds.org
• Facebook: Sleep in Heavenly Peace-AZ, Phoenix

 

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