When Erica heard about the Women United COVID-19 Diaper Drive, she immediately knew the impact it would have on the lives of so many parents, kids and infants in our community. Why? Simply put – experience. As a mother of two and recent grandmother, Erica has experienced first-hand the struggles of raising children in a safe and nurturing environment.
But Erica’s experience extends beyond just raising children. Working with kids is her life-long profession and passion. As an EHS (Early Head Start) Infant Teacher Assistant at YWCA Tri-County Area in Early Childhood Education, Erica first heard about the diaper drive through her organization. “My passion comes from helping young kids. Working at YWCA, we empower young women and our goal is to eliminate racism, and that starts with providing real opportunities for our kids,” Erica said recently.
“I felt like a huge amount of weight was lifted off my shoulders by receiving a donation from the diaper drive. These supplies will not only help with the day to day expenses of raising kids, but it’s also nice to know that organizations like Women United are looking out for our kids during these uncertain times.”
The pressure parents feel to provide can be a daunting emotion. Add in a global pandemic and that feeling multiplies exponentially. Reports show that as many as one in three families do not have a sufficient supply of diapers to keep children clean, dry and healthy. Some parents are even forced to leave their children in the same diaper for an entire day because they do not have access to sufficient resources.
That’s why our Women United partnered with YWCA Tri-County to run a socially-distanced diaper drive. The drive collected more than 5,000 diapers and 4,000 wipes which supported nearly 30 families. While there is certainly more work to be done, United Way stands committed to aiding our communities and ensuring equal opportunity for all.
To learn more about how you can join the United Way movement and get involved, click here.