Diaper Drive

Imagine being a mother without diapers for your newborn. Even worse, imagine you are homeless, hungry and cold. While people know homelessness is a problem in our county, most people are unaware that homelessness affects mothers and children indiscriminately. This Mother's Day Father Joe's villages wants to be able to provide homeless mothers with basic necessities. Diapers, baby food, formula, etc. Our job was to hold a series of fund raisers in front of large supermarkets to rally around this cause.

Our group was stationed at Vons. In my group was Nilo, Adam, Tierra, Myrna and Samantha. We quickly set up our table with pamphlets detailing the problem. After that, it was time to work! The students were bold and courageous in asking for help. I was so proud and impressed! Adam and Nilo even worked out a little song and dance. While Tierra explained the issue, Nilo and Adam snapped in rhythm in the background.

The drive started out slow with a lot of negative responses. However, as we got going the responses became more positive...we got on a roll!! Yes, we can help! Sure, count me in! Take this baby food!

One guy though explained that he didn't need any diapers. Apparently he thought the diaper drive was for middle aged men. Then he explained that I should be teaching kids about the poor... and how we should stop sending money to Iraq. I was like....WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WE ARE DOING!!

I guess I understand where he is coming from however. Oftentimes because we feel so overwhelmed by how the world should be it actually prevents us from taking action. Where do we start? I am strengthened and re- invigorated when I see young students being the change they wish to see in the world.

Overall, the diaper drive was a success. If anything we raised awareness for a cause greater than ourselves. We put forth a new energy into the world, and the hopefully we will see the affects stretching beyond our immediate surroundings.