Bulk Diaper Program Expansion
Featuring Muslimahs Against Abuse Center
After over 20 years of striving to meet the diaper need gap that exists in our community, WestSide Baby has distributed over 17 million diapers to families and their children. While this deserves to be celebrated, we are focused on how much more we can and should do to respond to the disproportionate need that continues to grow in the wake of historic inflation, systemic racism and job insecurity.
Over the past 2+ years, we have responded in a crisis by increasing our distribution of diapers by over 60% to a growing network of partner organizations providing critical care to our community. In just the last two months we have brought on 27 new partnerships with direct services organizations serving families experiencing unmet basic need.
The Bulk Diaper Program is WestSide Baby’s method of distribution to address diaper need with an emphasis on equity and innovation. This program is designed to address diaper need at a large scale in hard-to-reach communities by removing barriers and obstacles for organizations and the families they serve.
Will Owen, WestSide Baby’s Donations & Logistics Manager, shares that in intentionally seeking out BIPOC and underserved communities—by doing the work to connect with folks on their terms—we are able to minimize transportation barriers, program eligibility barriers and cultural barriers for families who wouldn’t otherwise have access to basic needs resources. By the end of this year, the Bulk Diaper Program will account for 75% of WSB’s annual distribution, or about 2 million diapers.
New Partnership with Muslimahs Against Abuse Center
One of the new partnerships we’ve been able to build through this program expansion is with Muslimahs Against Abuse Center (MAAC). This organization’s mission, founded in 2020, is to empower and educate women and young girls of color to overcome their past traumas and live successful lives.
“The diapers and formula have been such a huge help to our clients, as you are aware, the formula shortage has left many families frustrated, stressed and taking an extra toll on moms who already have to deal with either postpartum depression or other health issues after birth.”
Rahma Rashid, Founder & Executive Director
Serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, MAAC provides women a space to heal and receive necessary support, like diapers, to move forward toward freedom and safety. WestSide Baby is proud to join with MAAC in their vision in which every woman of color attains the right to live a safe and fulfilling life free of violence and oppression.
“We have had so many clients, who have searched every store, website and come to us in desperation. We appreciate your partnership so much, this has been such a huge help, but also makes us so happy as an organization to be there for our clients when they need us the most.”
Rahma Rashid, Founder & Executive Director
Moving Forward Together
We are proud to provide immediate relief to families with the dignity and care they deserve, and to do so on a meaningful scale. As a “resource broker” we focus on distributing the tangible items to a large network of partner organizations rooted in their communities; when we provide the diapers, car seats, pack n plays and clothing, our partners help to care for a family’s needs holistically. While we must meet immediate needs, we won’t ever close the gap without advocating for a safety net that ensures every child’s basic needs are met.
This vision cannot become reality without all of us reaching for it together, without a deep shared longing for a more beautiful and just world where getting ALL of our basic needs met becomes a basic human right.
Thank you for being a part of this work with us.