300,000. That is the estimated number of children in our city who sleep on the floor. That’s nearly 13% of Houston’s overall population.

Having a soft place to lay your head at night is something many of us take for granted. But for the vulnerable children and families in our city, the gift of a bed can mean so much—providing dignity, worth, and security. Our guest for this conversation is passionate about imparting this dignity to the children of Houston by providing mattresses and other furniture to families in need.

Oli Mohammad is the Executive Director and founding force behind the Houston Furniture Bank, a nonprofit working to ensure that no child sleeps on the floor in our city. Originally from Bangladesh, Oli moved to the USA in 1987. He is a passionate community builder with decades of leadership experience, a heart for service, and an enduring belief that dignity begins at home. 

The Houston Furniture Bank is a valuable partner of The Riverside Project through our Response Network. We’re proud and grateful to be one of the 92 organizations they are connected with throughout the Houston area.

In this episode, you’ll hear the innovation behind The Furniture Bank’s many initiatives, how poverty can go beyond material items, the power of treating our neighbors with dignity and respect, and much more.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: https://riversideproject.org/podcast/oli-mohammad-42