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About Us Our Mission Diapers for children and adults through community partners. Our Vision A community that believes every child and adult has the right to a clean, dry diaper. Our Slogan Dignity through diapers.
"It takes a village to raise a child." This African proverb skillfully sums up the importance of community support in providing effective program and services.
We know that people and families who need diapers probably need other social services as well. Instead of reinventing another social service delivery system, we provide diapers to existing organizations that work with people in need. Our partners include: crisis nurseries, domestic violence shelters, senior centers, and congregations for a variety of religious affiliations. (Click here for a list of our partners.)
One task is to convert our community’s compassion into action on behalf of those in need by increasing awareness of the issues facing vulnerable populations.
The Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank, the first diaper bank in the nation and possibly the world, is truly unique as a model for other diaper banks around the country. Impact The Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank serves infants, young children, the disabled, and adults, distributing millions of dollars worth of diaper and incontinence supplies to low-income families Pima County. Somehow every issue that affects a human life is, at some point, affected by the need for diapers.
Why do we focus on diapers? "I was one stressed-out, freaked-out new mom, even though I didn't have to worry about having enough money to feed, clothe, and diaper my babies. I couldn't stand imagining the level of stress felt by new moms with low incomes, no incomes, no healthcare, no home. I knew I had to support the Community Diaper Bank." That's why the Southern Arizona Diaper Bank was born. A healthy change of diapers costs $100 a month or more. This is a huge, sometimes out-of-reach, expense for low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes. Diapers and incontinence supplies from the Diaper Bank help seniors live independent, active lives and allow families in our community to take care of their children. Not just for babies Joe is a 52-year old medic who was diagnosed with HIV five years ago. His health has diminished to the point where he has trouble with activities of daily living and incontinency. Susan, a personal care assistant, visits Samuel every Wednesday to help with meal preparation, bathing and housecleaning. Susan also brings Samuel a supply of diapers from the Diaper Bank, something he cannot afford on his own. With the diapers he is able to leave the house, run errands, and travel to doctor's appointments.
*Names changed to protect families’ privacy.
Why not cloth diapers? Most daycare centers require the use of disposable diapers for children, and most clinical settings, like crisis shelters, use disposable diapers for a combination of ease and sanitation. Washing cloth diapers can be a burden on low income families who have to travel to the laundromat after work, often with children in tow.
Founders Dimitri Petropolis and Hildy Gottlieb are founders of the first diaper bank in the United States and possibly anywhere in the world, now called the Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank. Their pioneering work in this neglected area has served as an inspirational model for others throughout the world wishing to create diaper banks. To see a list of our Board of Directors (click HERE).
Copyright © 2008 Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. |
Kirsten Grabo Executive Director: | 
Phone: (520) 325-1400
Fax: (520) 325-1401 4500 E. Speedway, Suite 75
Tucson, AZ 85712 |
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