I’m a single mom of two beautiful girls - ages 7 months and 18 months. I am also a recent widow. When I was laid off from my job one month after my husband's passing, I felt lost. I was hopeless. Then, two weeks ago, a friend introduced me to this program, and it offers so many services to me and my babies, including job assistance and enrollment in the diaper program. For the first time in a long time, I feel hope.
- Jennice, mom of 2
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you - the editors at the San Jose Mercury News have been gracious enough to run an op-ed I wrote in support of federal/state public policy solutions to end diaper need. You can read the op-ed here.
Having my first op-ed published in The Merc is especially meaningful to me, as I grew up reading it. What’s more, it was the first print newspaper to ever write about HAMO. In our founding year (2009), one of their long time columnists (shout out to Ms. Patty Fisher, now retired) took a chance on me after I sent her a rookie press release.
In conjunction with National Diaper Need Awareness Week, please consider sharing the op-ed on social media or by forwarding it to like minded folks. (Sample text below.)
Share on social (copy/paste):
Support your local diaper bank. It’s life changing for babies via @MercNews @helpamotherout (https://bit.ly/HAMO21 ).
I truly believe real change comes from the bottom up. We appreciate your advocacy and continued support in ensuring more babies have the diapers they need to be healthy, clean and dry.
In Community,
Lisa Truong
Founder and Executive Director
P.S. In case you missed it, I was interviewed last week by Nikki Medoro for the KGO 810 Morning Show! Check out the interview here to find out more about what we’re up to!
Crib Notes
More California babies covered: Say THANK YOU to lawmakers
This past summer California legislators and Governor Newsom approved the addition of $30 million in diaper bank funding to the state’s budget. We are incredibly grateful to all of YOU, who collectively advocated with Help a Mother Out (“HAMO”) in support of working families. The funds have been allocated to new and existing diaper programs throughout the state (FY 22-24). Grantees include HAMO (San Francisco Bay Area), and regional food banks operating in the Redwood Empire, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Inland Empire.
This is a HUGE win for the cause and it would not have happened without your grassroots support!
Will you join us in contacting Governor Newsom and your CA legislators to thank them for their leadership and support of diaper bank funding? Check out this handy toolkit for two super easy ways to say “thanks”!
Thank CA budget leadership and the governor on social media
Send an email thanking your local state representatives
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We have some awesome (and safe!) volunteer events on the horizon (specifically, 2 upcoming in the SF area). If you want to volunteer with HAMO, or just want to know more about our work, fill out our interest form!It takes just a few seconds, but can have a huge impact!
We are stronger when we come together.
Diaper Daddies - Challenge Accepted!
During last Tuesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen challenged his friend and fellow dad, Anderson Cooper to a round of Diaper Daddies. Each dad was given 45 seconds to change as many diapers as possible. Who do you think won?! Check out this video to find out.