The Lawrence Community Shelter is collaborating with the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center to bring a new type of bed to the shelter that offers privacy and storage for guests, and a learning opportunity for high school students.
The modular beds are modeled off of StepUp products, which are designed for high-density living and used in 16 shelters across the U.S., according to the brand’s website. One unit contains four beds, integrated stairs and multiple types of storage.
James Chiselom, executive director at the shelter, said the project is a win-win, since the new beds incorporate frames from existing beds at the shelter, and Peaslee students have a hands-on opportunity in their community.
“This is a win for the whole community,” Chiselom said. “High schoolers in manufacturing class are going to learn how to give back to the community by providing something essential and by repurposing things we would just throw away. They’re repurposing to make a difference.”
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Chiselom said he first saw StepUp beds at Shelter KC in Kansas City, Missouri, and he was amazed at how the increased privacy of the bed changed the structure of a shelter.
“I instantly understood how that makes people feel better and change the whole dynamic of being homeless,” Chiselom said. “People love the privacy. They love the whole concept. We should have some dignity about what we do. This provides that.”
Peaslee students are tasked with learning the building process, including sketching, gathering materials, creating prototypes, building the bed units and delivering them to the shelter.
“It’s learning and doing something good for your community,” Peaslee manufacturing teacher Matt Gifford said. “They’re not all woodworking, but it will be a valuable experience to have.”
The students don’t have a set number of beds to build each semester, but Chiselom said a more gradual project will be less disruptive to the shelter.
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He said last year the shelter had 24 people in continuous stay, and they now have 70 people who live full-time at the shelter.
There are 13 modular StepUp units in part of the shelter that were given by donors, which have a collective 52 beds.
Chiselom said the new type of beds will free up extra space for recreation or extra furniture in the shelter.
“We can have a place people can sit outside of the bed, have a place to study, or whatever they want,” he said.
For the students at Peaslee Tech, the project extends beyond earning a grade. Students say they’re excited to see the real-world impact at the shelter.
“This is the class that has prepared me the most for actual adulthood and getting out into the workforce,” senior Sam Gossman said. “It feels really good to help people who need it. There’s a fire in my heart for this, and I would really like to help more.”
Each student brings their respective skills to the table to build the beds.
“Each person has their thing that they’re good at, and you rely on each other to complete this type of big project,” senior Adryck Correll said. “I have a lot of people where I can ask questions, and learning that stuff is going to be really helpful for whenever I go pursue my career.”
Winter emergency shelter has started as overnight temperatures or indices have dropped below 32 degrees. Anyone needing a warm place to spend the night can visit the shelter at 3655 E. 25th St. on the eastern edge of Lawrence. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Lawrence Transit Route 1 stops at Seventh and Vermont streets downtown and goes to the shelter Mondays through Saturdays, with the last bus leaving at 7 p.m. There is no fare to ride the bus. See the full route at this link.
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Maya Smith (she/her), reporting intern, has worked with The Lawrence Times since February 2026. She was born and raised in Lawrence and is a journalism student at the University of Kansas. She works at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications as a communications assistant and has been a freelance reporter for the Kansas Reflector since 2024. Read her work for the Times at this link.
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