Physical Health United States Project #23239

#savethebabies: Help Children Rise out of Poverty

by Jake's Network of Hope

#savethebabies: Help Children Rise out of Poverty

Project Report | Mar 27, 2023
Basic Needs Around the World to Our Backyard

By Lyssa Schmidt | Grants Manager

Around the world, populations face a multitude of challenges that have caused millions to immigrate or take refuge in a new place. This is nothing new, and neither is the fact that this transition is often difficult.

In northeast Wisconsin, we work with various partners who support refugees and first generation families as they settle into their new homes. Providing basic needs items to these families is an important tool in enabling financial stability.

One of our partners is the Oshkosh Area School District, who is aware of refugee students and thankful to use our program to assist new families.

“As refugees arrive in our community, we are able to fill the gaps of need that arise when they first resettle,” said Ayak Deng of OASD.

Another partner, Parent Connection of Family Services Northeast Wisconsin, shared the story of an immigrant family in which both parents are trying very hard to earn enough for their needs - yet they fall short.

“One of the families that received diapers this past month immigrated to the country and has very little formal support in the area,” said Kenlin Grams, of the organization. “Dad started his own company, but has faced many financial challenges with repairs that needed to be done on his truck and ended up having to close. Mom works part-time and her schedule is very demanding. Despite their best efforts to stay ahead, this family struggles financially, so being able to provide them with a package of diapers is extremely appreciated by them!”

Winnebago Area Literacy Council is another of our partners who works directly with those who have resettled, and through our collaboration can provide basic needs items to its clients that are working to learn English.

“Poverty and literacy are connected,” said Thomas Perry of the organization. “We work with several new Afghan women who have many children they are raising. Without the assistance of Jake's these women would likely never attend English classes due to the costs associated with diapers. Additionally, period products allow these individuals to attend classes due to the ability to leave the house. We thank Jake's for the assistance in our mutual goals to end poverty and make our communities stronger.”

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Apr 6, 2023
How Hygiene Made a Difference in 2022

By Lyssa Schmidt | Grants Manager

For Jake’s, 2022 was filled with much to be proud of and excited about. We began the year by welcoming our new executive director, Scott Sawinski. We also expanded our list of partners from less than 90 to more than 200 by the end of the year (by the way, we’re up to 250 and counting!

This means that our work has been able to reach (and support) more diverse community needs, from foster care to after school programs, family needs and domestic abuse shelters, refugee work, poverty support, health programs, etc.

In total, we surpassed ONE MILLION total products distributed in 2022 for a total of 1,053,505 products. We spent reflecting on all the work that we accomplished throughout the year, thanks to your support.

Keeping Babies Safe, Dry, and Healthy

Through our East Wisconsin Diaper Bank, National Cloth Network and Global Cloth Network, Jake’s has distributed 554,821 diapers to partners. These diapers have supported 12,885 children and babies.

“Parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. (From Jake’s, we use) diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products. These items are expensive, and being able to help provide these to families allows them to spend their money on other necessities.” — Kelly Hinz of Parent Connection

Creating Equal Access to Period Product

Our On The Dot Program provides dignity for girls and women through equality and access to period products. So far in 2022, we have distributed 129,352 period products which have supported 5,442 girls and women.

“We are providing free period products in our bathrooms for high school students. This is very helpful to keep them in school during this time for them.” — Kelly Wick, Appleton Area School district/Appleton East High school

“Our intermediate female students now have a locker designated for period products that they can access at any time they need. The products in the locker came from Jake’s Network! We have already had students use the locker.” — Leah Zwiers, Jefferson Elementary School, AASD

“Children feel more confident to attend and engage with peers when they are well groomed and cared for at home!” — Mackenzie Harness, Oshkosh Area School District – Ready 4 Learning

Helping Older Adults Maintain a High Quality of Life

One in three adults are dealing with some form of bladder control issues today, and two in three people will have incontinence during their lifetimes. There’s a social stigma around the issue, adding to the difficulty in dealing with it. In 2022, we have distributed 336,128 ACE products to partners. These products have improved the enjoyment of life for 10,143 individuals.

“Our seniors feel that by asking for their incontinence products, they feel more secure not having to ration when they need to use them. A lot of the seniors can’t afford what they need with how many they go through a day, so this is a huge help to them to call and get these sent to them with their meals we supply them with.” — Amanda Wiechman, ADVOCAP’s Outreach Specialist

Supporting diverse basic needs through My Neighbor and our Hope Hub

Our My Neighbor program is our most diverse basic needs program. This program was established in 2019 based on demand to provide even more basic living goods to people in need in our community, at the request of numerous partner agencies and really established its presence over the past year. The goal of this program is to provide for other needs that community partners are serving, while creating financial savings for our partners which in turn creates a revenue stream that supports our hygiene programs.

For example, a partner could browse the Hope Hub to find items for adopt-a-family type projects, including bedding, toys, kitchenware, hygiene items and more; OR, teachers can browse and stock supplies they need for classrooms or school projects; OR pregnancy agencies can stop by and pickup items that expectant parents will need, from furnishing a nursery to stuffing a diaper bag and more.

All items from My Neighbor and the Hope Hub are provided at sharing fees to partners – which on average cost about 25% of retail value. The sharing fees from this program also support the operations that help us provide all the hygiene products (diapers, period products and incontinence supplies) at no cost to these same partners. This is a major win for our community, partners and the people they serve.

By the Numbers

Total products: 1,053,505
Total lives: 29,594
Total diapers: 554,821
Total children + babies diapered: 12,885
Total period products: 129,352
Total girls + women served: 5,442
Total ACE products: 336,128
Total people served through ACE: 10,143
Total cloth diapers: 5,163
Total individuals served with cloth: 345
Total retail value saved via My Neighbor: $600,000

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Apr 4, 2023
Tackling the Need: How Many Diapers Does it Take?

By Lyssa Schmidt | Grants Manager

Jake’s acts as the bridge between product and people, managing the procurement, sorting, storage and distribution of hygiene products and basic needs items. We work directly with other 501c3 nonprofits, schools or faith-based organizations to reach people in need.

Since the beginning of 2023 through mid-March, our partners have requested products for 5,837 kids in need of diapers. This is typical demand that will only grow as our partnerships do. In 2022, we distributed nearly 555,000 diapers … an average of 46,250 diapers out the door each month!

Here’s a look at the impact those diapers have, from the words of our partners:

"One of our families has one infant at nine months and one toddler at two years of age. The family is on a very fixed income and the mom relates that the diapers and wipes help her out so very much. She wants to thank Jakes Network of Hope for being such a blessing to her family." — Theresa Arts, SonShine Room - Fellowship Bible Church

“Many of our clients are trying to do their best for the children that they have. It isn't just important for them to be able to put food on the table, it is necessary for them to be able to provide a clean and healthy living situation. By having the diapers available to them, this helps with the health and well being of the parents and the child. They are always so grateful that we have them available.” — Jericho Road Ministries, Inc David Eldredge

Families appreciate being able to focus limited funds on food and shelter as their needs for diapers are met by our partnership with Jakes.” — Family & Childcare Resources of NEW - Shelby Belanger

From a foster parent: "This has been very helpful to us as we use daycare and this had provided the supplemental diapers we need for daycare as they change on a schedule along with as needed." — Taylor Trost, Lakeshore Foster Families & Friends in Manitowoc

Thank you for all your help in making this change, Little by Little every situation gets better!

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