Free Diaper Giveaways Prove to be a Gateway to Additional Community Resources
Did you know that throughout the year, Wellpoint Care Network partners with several local organizations for free diaper giveaways?
That’s because we know it’s crucial to support the Five Pillars of Stability (Employment, Education, Housing, Health, Caring Connections) in order for children and families within our community to truly thrive. If not addressed, these social determinants of health can lead to instability in key areas of life.
“Last year, we began a partnership with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission and gave diapers and wipes away to Wellpoint Care clients who were in need,” said Andrew Bonner, Community Engagement Coordinator at Wellpoint Care Network. “We know that the need for diapers is great but that the cost is high, and we don’t want that to be a barrier for families. So, in thinking about our mission and how we’re trying to help children and families thrive, we wanted to expand the impact. We started to think of ways we could make this service more accessible to our clients and the community, and that’s when the idea of diaper pop-ups came about.”
To date, pop-ups have been held at Northcott Neighborhood House, MATC, Community Advocates, Maximus, Our Daily Bread Community Outreach Center, The Kellogg PEAK Initiative, Waico Apartments, Chorus Community Health Plans, Kinship Community Food Center, TenderCare Christian Child Care and Penfield Children’s Center.
“One quote that we get everywhere we go is, ‘The work that you do is greatly needed,’” said Bonner. “We see people stop by for a variety of reasons. Perhaps someone just lost their job or they’re a new mom or dad figuring out parenthood. We’ve had people who were down to their last diaper. I don’t think the average person understands that when you must choose between buying diapers and something else, you always have to choose diapers, that’s an essential and necessity. So, when they choose diapers, what weren’t they able to purchase or what bill weren’t they able to pay? For me, it’s fulfilling to do this work because we know that no matter what the reason is that you’re taking these diapers, it’s going to alleviate the cost of something else.”
By partnering with organizations across the city of Milwaukee, Wellpoint Care clients and others in need of diapers are also able to get this valuable resource at a location closer to where they live, or perhaps somewhere they are already visiting for other reasons.
“Transportation is often a barrier,” said Bonner. “So, these diaper pop-ups help parents with needed resources, but also break that barrier.”
The pop-ups hosted by Wellpoint Care Network in partnership with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission are open to anyone of any age. Bonner wants to emphasize that means fathers too.
“At first, we saw that fathers were hesitant to come up to our table,” he said. “I think that comes from the fact that as men, when services are provided, they’re usually not available to us. We had to stop the men walking by and say, ‘Hey, you can utilize this service as well’ or ‘This is something that you can benefit from.’ Now, we see men pulling in other men. I’ve heard one say, ‘Let go of that pride.’ We hope that by seeing men standing behind the table and giving out these diapers, it helps breaks that pride barrier.”
Those who stop by the diaper pop-ups not only receive free diapers and wipes, but also information about Wellpoint Care Network’s services and other community resources.
“The idea behind these pop-ups is to get people stable in all areas from education and employment to housing,” said Bonner. “And that starts with the diapers. Then when we start talking, we’re able to suggest those other services more easily. It’s not coming from a lens of, ‘Oh, you need this or you need that.’ It’s ‘Hey, I went through that too and here’s what I found helped.’ The diapers are a gateway to improving the lives of those in our community.”
If you are in need of diapers, keep an eye on Wellpoint Care’s social media channels for upcoming pop-up dates. You can also email [email protected] at any time.
Wellpoint Care Network will also host our 2nd annual Diaper for Dads event this December. If you are able to donate diapers, a collection will take place throughout the month of November.
