FEATURED AGENCY OF THE WEEK: Caregiving Network

Imagine living solely off of food stamps and maybe some cash assistance, searching every single day for a place to work so you can clothe, shelter and provide for your family. Many of the clients at Caregiving Network live this life every time the sun comes up. Several clients are young single mothers who have no extra money for diapers and are in a desperate state, trying to provide for their child.

A Christian run non-profit organization, Caregiving Network, Inc., meets the basic needs of individuals who are living below the 2013 100% Poverty Income Level in Midland County. Caregiving Network partners with community organizations and local churches to teach skills and promote self-sufficiency to each individual who walks through their doors.

Not only does Caregiving Network work with The Diaper Alliance to provide diapers for families in need, they also have food, clothing, household and personal care pantries and provide transportation, rent and utility assistance. Since 1994, Caregiving Network has continued to shape the lives of those financially struggling in our community and with your support they can continue to do so. If you have any questions about volunteering or supporting our Partner Agency, Caregiving Network, please visit their website or call Executive Director, Tom Vander Zouwen, at (989) 837-9757. 

Almost 500,000 Diapers Delivered!

Finished and stuffed to the brim! The Diaper Alliance finished unloading the second semi of Huggies diapers on Wednesday, July 3rd and our warehouse is officially full.

It was a good thing that the second semi full of diapers arrived on Wednesday morning instead of Monday with the first load, because the warehouse would not have been ready for such large numbers! In order to prepare for the second semi, a large hole had to be cut into the dry wall, electrical wires had to be moved, pallet jacks had to be ordered and the first load of diapers had to be moved to our second warehouse room. Everything was completed on time and the second semi full of diapers arrived around 10:00 AM on Wednesday morning. 

Around 2:00 PM on Wednesday every pallet was unloaded and strategically placed in The Diaper Alliance warehouse. The building is now filled with a total of 47 pallets of diapers, ranging from size 3-6. The expected 250,000 diapers we thought Huggies was going to send us, turn into nearly 500,000 diapers! 

The Diaper Alliance was shell shocked when hearing such a large number! We had no idea that we would get so many diapers. A huge thank you goes out to The Galloup Company for unloading the pallets, as well as Arianna and her family and the Signatures Photography men for helping us move pallets and sort the diapers in the warehouse. 

We are in complete awe of the blessings we have been given. We are now stocked and ready for the next challenge, distributing the diapers to the families who need us! 

View the Photo Album.

1st Huggies Load Delivered!

As most of you know, The Diaper Alliance was selected for a Community Partnership through the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and their founding sponsor, Huggies. The National Partnership will provide a total of one-half-million diapers to The Diaper Alliance to be distributed in Midland County and eventually to neighboring communities. Other benefits include purchasing privileges and the opportunity to work with NDBN to become a sustainable organization during the two years. The first quarter million diapers were scheduled to arrive today, July 1st, 2013. 

The semi truck full of Huggies diapers arrived at 4606 James Savage Road this morning around 2:30 AM, driven by a sweet gentleman who called Debi, The Diaper Alliance's Executive Director, announcing his arrival. Debi informed the man that our delivery was scheduled for 11:00 AM, however he was welcome to sleep and make himself comfortable until everyone arrived and that is what he did.

We lifted the gate of the semi bed around 9:30 AM only to realize that the pallets were placed in the wrong direction. We were not able to get them out of the semi, unless they were turned sideways. Thanks to our NEW neighbors, The Galloup Company we were able to overcome this obstacle. The Galloup Company generously offered to take the semi over to their unloading dock, unload it onto a flat bed, drive the flat bed over and then unload all 18 pallets of diapers into our NEW warehouse with their fork lift. We honestly could not have completed what we did today with out Galloup's help! 

Representatives from almost all of our 18 Partner Agencies attended the Huggies celebration as well as  Midland Daily News and Signatures Photography. The excitement and support of all of those who attended filled the entire building. Thank you to all who helped make today possible and the continuous support of our mission at The Diaper Alliance, to meet the diaper need in Midland County. We would not be where we are today without YOUR support!

Visit our Facebook page, to see the complete photo album from the delivery. 

FEATURED AGENCY OF THE WEEK: Shelterhouse

Do you know someone who needs help? Do you know someone who has been raped, attacked or assaulted? Or were you the victim of all of the pain? No matter the experience or the person, Shelterhouse of Midland and Gladwin Counties is here to help. Shelterhouse provides non-residential services and emergency shelter to families and individuals who are homeless due to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Turning to someone for help is often the hardest step for victims of violence. It can happen to anyone; a man, a woman, a mother, a child. Quite often you will see a mother who has been assaulted fleeing with her child, not only for her own protection, but to protect the innocent life of her baby. Shelterhouse provides assistance, comfort and support to those who have been battered and helps them begin to live a life free of violence.

The Diaper Alliance and Shelterhouse have come together to  help mothers diaper their young children after such instances. Janine Ouderkirk, Executive Director at Shelterhouse, mentioned, “The Diaper Alliance is a true blessing to our organization. They help us serve our clients by providing diapers and wipes. It saves our agency money and resources.” This partnership has allowed mothers to rest assured that their children will be provided for. Ouderkirk continued, “One mom is grateful for this free service as she has so much to worry about already by leaving a domestically abusive relationship while pregnant with twins and parenting a 20 month old. Her husband is not supporting her financially and without The Diaper Alliance she would not be able to provide for her babies.”

Thanks to YOU, The Diaper Alliance is able to partner with Shelterhouse and provide diapers for newborns, toddlers, children and adults who are financially struggling. If you would like to learn more about Shelterhouse, call (989) 835-6771 or visit their website, ShelterhouseMidland.org. 

FEATURED AGENCY OF THE WEEK: Hope House, Midland Nazarene

Support..Love...Compassion...Hope. The Hope House of Midland Nazarene is not only a big white house in the front of the church property, but a home that has been transformed into a place of peace, joy and understanding for unwed mothers.

Partnering with the Midland Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC), the Hope House provides free housing for a full year to a pregnant woman. Kathie Evans, Director of the Hope House, mentioned, "Our goal is to help a young mother improve her ability to provide emotional, spiritual and financial support for herself and her child". The Hope House and PRC partnership encourages life skills so that when the woman leaves the house she can function well in her home and in our society.

The Midland Nazarene Church fully supports and embraces the lives that pass through the Hope House. The church body has held a fundraiser for the house and also accepts funds to restore and maintain the home, so that the women feel welcomed and loved.

TAKE A TOUR

This is the first year that the Hope House has partnered with The Diaper Alliance and we are proud to say that we can help more mothers in need, thanks to YOU! If you would like to learn more about the Midland Nazarene Hope House, please contact Kathie Evans at kaevans@hotmail.com.