InterFaith Works CNY & CNY Diaper Bank

I've waited to write this post because I am not sure how to summarize my amazing experience with the people at these organizations!

I couldn't tell you how I became aware of InterFaith Works of CNY. I think it was through an email I signed up for looking for volunteer opportunities in the area. I filled out an online application with my experiences and what frequency I was looking to volunteer. Daryl Files received my application and immediately decided I was perfect for the Diaper Bank program. I met with Daryl and she introduced me to Genevieve who was social worker extraordinaire and in charge of so much! I love a good chance to organize so I happily took all the information Genevieve would give me and set about designing a system.

InterFaith CNY is divided into several working groups. The Diaper Bank is part of the Center for New Americans and as such works to provide as many immigrant and refugee families as possible with diapers for their small children. Through a partnership with the CNY Diaper Bank diapers are ordered, organized and distributed based on criteria set between the two organizations.

I worked to digitize the admissions paperwork, create a spreadsheet with family information and then each month I went through the process. I completed digital intake paperwork for new applicants, contacted applicant families whose children had aged out, placed orders for diapers, arranged email and text alerts to remind clients of pickup day, I picked up diapers from CNY Diaper Bank, with a lot of help unloaded and organized the materials for pick up. On Diaper Day each month we updated client information, answered questions and tried to offer additional materials including education to clients. We arranged for a transition to reusable bags for diaper pick up, we had different people, including interns come in and provide information, we collected and solicited a a number of donated items to distribute with educational material each month. Thank you to everyone who donated including Schools Count Corp. and Beautiful Smiles of Elbridge.

Of course nothing ever goes quite as smoothly as we would like to think it will. The COVID Pandemic hit in the midst of my volunteer year. So we did what we all had to and PIVOTED! We started using Remind to contact clients and see if they were oaky. To find out what they needed and update addresses and details. Eventually Genevieve and I would decide that driving to deliver the diapers to each home was the best way to make sure these small children were taken care of. I will be honest, this was a difficult endeavor. Not because of the logistics per se, although that was a lot. But to see where people lived, the conditions of the housing they were living in, the apprehension to take diapers from us. The fear among the immigrants and refugees that COVID was somehow created to exterminate them was heartbreaking. You see, I cannot imagine what strength it must take to come to a new country. Fleeing persecution and violence gave most no other choice. Some chose to come to the U.S. others it was just a matter of this country had a seat on the plane available. Many refugees would tell me about spending time in camps waiting for their paperwork and turn to seek a better future. They would have to make choices about going to find work outside the camp but risking not being there when their number came up and then missing their shot and having to start all over again in the system. It was heartbreaking to hear. Now so many were in an unfamiliar country with different cultural ways. Poor understanding of the systems and the language and now a pandemic.

On April 3, 2020 Gen & I had our first month of delivering the diapers. Gen & Jess, an intern, called all 153 families, confirmed addresses & sizes. I ordered the diapers from CNY Diaper Bank picked them up (+Gen), mapped out all addresses, & coordinated reminder texts. Our day started at 9AM & we managed to deliver 9,000+ diapers in the Syracuse area by 7:30PM. I drove & pulled orders while Gen, wearing an N95 mask & gloves, delivered to the doorstep. People were so grateful! Diapers are expensive and in some places in short supply, not to mention that some of these families have members who have lost their jobs amidst all of this. We were also able to provide a package of baby wipes to most households, courtesy of donations.

Later in April of 2020 I posted this "Alright everyone, I need your help! I would like to supply each of the 123 families we are delivering diapers to this month with a thermometer to check their child's temperature. We were able to purchase 40 with our November donations. So I am about $356.24 short of purchasing the remaining 83. I know it is difficult to donate right now, however if you can spare anything our families and their children would be so grateful. Schools Count will provide you with a tax receipt for your donation. I will include a doctor approved pictorial image with the thermometer so that our preliterate parents have correct instructions on how to use the thermometer. Thank you for considering!

Diapers are supplied by CNY Diaper Bank and distributed through InterFaith Works"

Over the course of this year I received more smiles, hugs, and thank yous than any one person deserves. People are grateful, so grateful for the very basics and appreciative of help during what seems like another worst of times in life. I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my understanding of the refugee and immigrant rehousing protocols in this country and that I could help a little in the transition. I am forever grateful to InterFaith Works for trusting me with this program and Gen for giving me the support to help it grow.