Author: Iana Mae Abinales

Volunteer in the Sorting Room of First Warehouse checking on clothes “Volunteers are the heart of our organization. We truly couldn't serve the number of families we do without them. Every child that receives our items has the volunteers to thank first and foremost. We're all deeply appreciative of the work they do.” - Kristin Monahan, Site Lead Our work progresses day after day through collaborative efforts, meaningful partnerships and relationships in the community, united by a vision to equip families with essential items towards a happy and healthy life; this especially cascades through our volunteers, steeped in selflessness and service.  A dynamic force at WestSide Baby, volunteers bring inspiration , and without hesitation, dive into the often demanding and crucial projects, such as celebrating the growth of a family by curating a colorful…

Welcome Michelle Introducing WestSide Baby’s new Executive Director, Michelle Hankinson! Michelle brings almost 15 years in the nonprofit sector, with significant experience as an Executive Director and Director of Operations.Michelle comes to WestSide Baby most recently from Childhaven where she was the Senior Director of Early Support Services for Infants and Toddlers and Healthy Start. In this role, she executed strategic plans to advance their mission. Michelle also participated in the Childhaven Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team to ensure equitable early interventions within communities of color. She is committed to supporting children and families holistically alongside WestSide Baby. Michelle’s community describes her as “a compassionate leader with high emotional intelligence and a deep understanding of equity and inclusion.” I am so thrilled that Michelle will be joining WestSide Baby as…

Message from our Executive Director, Sarah Cody Roth As we share another Community Impact Report highlighting what is possible when community comes together to address inequity, it is profoundly bittersweet to share that I have decided to transition out of my role as WestSide Baby’s Executive Director on January 31, 2023. After seven years with this incredible organization, I am thrilled to step away from a thriving organization that is ready for new leadership from our community, to ground our work ever deeper in our values and commitment to equity. Since December 2015, I have been honored to work toward ensuring families have their basic needs met and their dignity honored as part of a more just world. On my first day at WestSide Baby, as Development Director, I had…

Having enough clean diapers is foundational to a baby’s ability to grow and thrive.  From the first precious newborn diaper all the way through the potty-training years, WestSide Baby supplies families with the basics their children need. Caregivers experience tremendous relief, both financially and emotionally, knowing they are able to meet their babies’ needs.   WestSide Baby recognizes there are structural inequities that cause the basic needs gap to disproportionately affect communities of color, and unmet basic needs can lead to disparities in health and well-being for children and families of color. "In this period when we're all suffering from inflation, people are at high risk for either being homeless or actually not being able to feed their families." he says "In fact, more than half of Black and Latino households…