A century-old partnership between three Rock Island community organizations is helping support a YWCA Quad Cities low income women with access to free essential hygiene supplies. Royal Neighbors of America joined Modern Woodmen of America in donating $7,000 to the YWCA.
That money will purchase much needed personal items to distribute to the women and families it serves.
The financial support allowed the YWCA to secure its first-ever bulk order of diapers, baby wipes, and menstrual pads through the National Diaper Bank Network and the Alliance for Period Supplies. The YWCA of the Quad Cities, located in downtown Rock Island, joined both those national networks this fall.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the financial services organizations also lent a hand to YWCA staff and volunteers to help sort and package the supplies at the YWCA Iowa Empowerment Center in Davenport. Volunteers packaged up these supplies:
- 32,000 diapers.
- 52,000 wipes.
- 9,500 menstrual pads.
“Many people in the Quad Cities don’t know the uniquely high rate of poverty for female-headed households,” Nate Clark, the YWCA’s chief impact & development officer, said in an email to the QCBJ. “Here in the Quad Cities, more than one-third of female-headed households experience poverty. And nearly one-sixth of those families experience deep poverty.”
According to Mr. Clark, the importance of free access to diapers and wipes emerged as an issue because of the special attention the YW pays to the women, girls, and their families its programs serve.
Free supply access
Keri Rursch, Modern Woodmen’s fraternal director, also applauded the partnership. “The YWCA did an incredible job teaching us the need for families in this community. To believe we were able to give 15,000 diapers through this partnership just shows how Modern Woodmen is truly fraternal and truly making a difference in this community.”
With this new access for its clients, the YWCA becomes one of only two National Diaper Bank Network members in the region and the first Alliance for Period Supplies member locally. It will significantly expand its ability to meet local essential needs, a news release said.
The YWCA also said for its families facing economic strain, these items have immense financial impact. Research shows that every $1 invested in diaper aid generates roughly $11 in increased income by reducing barriers to work and child care.
Organizers said the collaboration honors a century of shared service between the YWCA, Royal Neighbors and Modern Woodmen and illustrates the power of a long-term partnership.
