WSB Blog

Welcome Michelle Introducing WestSide Baby’s new Executive Director, Michelle Hankinson! Michelle brings almost 15 years in the nonprofit sector, with significant experience as an Executive Director and Director of Operations.Michelle comes to WestSide Baby most recently from Childhaven where she was the Senior Director of Early Support Services for Infants and Toddlers and Healthy Start. In this role, she executed strategic plans to advance their mission. Michelle also participated in the Childhaven Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team to ensure equitable early interventions within communities of color. She is committed to supporting children and families holistically alongside WestSide Baby. Michelle’s community describes her as “a compassionate leader with high emotional intelligence and a deep understanding of equity and inclusion.” I am so thrilled that Michelle will be joining WestSide Baby as…

Message from our Executive Director, Sarah Cody Roth As we share another Community Impact Report highlighting what is possible when community comes together to address inequity, it is profoundly bittersweet to share that I have decided to transition out of my role as WestSide Baby’s Executive Director on January 31, 2023. After seven years with this incredible organization, I am thrilled to step away from a thriving organization that is ready for new leadership from our community, to ground our work ever deeper in our values and commitment to equity. Since December 2015, I have been honored to work toward ensuring families have their basic needs met and their dignity honored as part of a more just world. On my first day at WestSide Baby, as Development Director, I had…

Having enough clean diapers is foundational to a baby’s ability to grow and thrive.  From the first precious newborn diaper all the way through the potty-training years, WestSide Baby supplies families with the basics their children need. Caregivers experience tremendous relief, both financially and emotionally, knowing they are able to meet their babies’ needs.   WestSide Baby recognizes there are structural inequities that cause the basic needs gap to disproportionately affect communities of color, and unmet basic needs can lead to disparities in health and well-being for children and families of color. "In this period when we're all suffering from inflation, people are at high risk for either being homeless or actually not being able to feed their families." he says "In fact, more than half of Black and Latino households…

Governor Jay Inslee Bill Signing SB 5838, the End Diaper Need Act With Governor Jay Inslee’s signature, we move closer to our shared vision of every child having their basic human needs met. Our deepest gratitude to our partners and community for your support in making this historic investment happen! See Governor Jay Inslee sign SB 5838 here

A Historic Win for Families Experiencing Diaper Need! WestSide Baby is thrilled to announce SB 5838, the End Diaper Need Act has been passed and funded in the Washington state budget as legislative session wraps up today!  The End Diaper Need Act is one-of-a-kind, and makes Washington only the second state in the nation to acknowledge and address the financial burden of diaper need faced by low-income families. Beginning in Fall 2023, all Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) households with children under the age of three will receive a $100 per month cash grant increase to help pay for diapers.  Toni Sarge, Director of Public Affairs for WestSide Baby, spoke to the legislature about why this bill is necessary in this moment. “Diaper need is an overlooked challenge that…

WestSide Baby in the News WA bill proposes subsidy to help some families buy diapers Families receiving TANF could get more money for diapers if Senate Bill 5838 passes in the Legislature. Crosscut | March 1, 2022 Sequoia Dolan considers herself Wonder Woman. She gets up before 6:30 a.m., prepares breakfast for her children, drops her son off at school, waits at the bus stop with her daughter and then spends time with her 2-year-old. Her little one is still in diapers, which may become easier for her to afford if Washington lawmakers can pass Senate Bill 5838, which would give extra money to families trying to make ends meet. To get through the month, Dolan typically buys a box of diapers from Costco and another from Safeway before heading…

The Washington State Diaper Bank Coalition  In 2017, WestSide Baby formed the Washington State Diaper Bank Coalition by conducting phone calls and informational interviews with diaper banks across the state. We more formally convened via regular email communication shortly after that. The coalition primarily served as a connection point for diaper banks of different sizes, serving different populations, to occasionally connect and ask questions. In 2019, the coalition more regularly communicated regarding important advocacy goals including exempting diapers from sales tax, and engaging legislators around a diaper subsidy program for low-income working families. All diaper banks reported an increase in distribution in 2020 continuing into 2021. The coalition consists of the 10 diaper banks recognized by the National Diaper Bank Network:  Eastside Baby Corner (1990) serving East King County, South…