This month we’re welcoming two new partners to DC Diaper Bank! First up, Sasha Bruce Youthwork! Sasha Bruce is one of the largest and most experienced providers of programs for homeless and vulnerable youth in our city. They will be using diapers from us as part of their YouthBuild program. This innovative program is used across the country and enrolls youth in a 9-12 month program of GED classes, and vocational classroom training in carpentry, barbering, environmental maintenance and other occupations, on-site carpentry experience and job placement in a variety of high-demand fields. The staff at Sasha Bruce remain in contact with the students following graduation and offer a range of services to ensure their transition to work is a smooth one.
So, how do diapers come into play? Many of the young people they work with are parents and diapers are on going need. As Sarah Levant from Sasha Bruce puts it,
“In the past, finding diaper resources have been a recurring barrier to our students, and students have chosen to spend money on diapers rather than transportation to get to our YouthBuild classes and extracurricular activities. If we could supply diapers on our YouthBuild site, not only would we eliminate the diaper barrier and our programming would run more efficiently, but our students would be able to focus and be more invested in their education.”
We are so pleased to work with Sasha Bruce and excited to hear more about their programs! You can check out a very cool video on YouthBuild: Sasha Bruce Youthworks YouthBuild