Kristen RemingtonChannel 2 News
"Women & Children's Center. This is Banesa, how can I help you?"
Banesa Jaramillo pleasantly answers the phone at the center on West Peckham Lane. She recently became the receptionist, where she greets women who are looking for assistance with counseling, education and diapers.
Banesa is actually working to help mothers just like herself.
Banesa, now 25, dropped out of high school at 15 years old. She is a mother of four, including one-year-old Xavier. She was referred to the Women & Children's Center of the Sierra after inquiring about part-time work and getting her G.E.D. "It's very important for me to grow and better myself, become very educated and I want that for my kids as well."
She takes G.E.D. prep courses at the center and, in return for her regular attendance, she also receives diapers every week for Xavier. She only has to pay a $1 per week membership fee.
Practically free diapers serve as an incentive to get at-risk women through the doors. They can take a variety of classes and also gain some work experience. "At this point we go through about 15,000 diapers a month," says Interim Executive Director, Vivienne French. "It's an enormous number of diapers."
Proof, perhaps, that the program is working. Once women come to the center for the diapers, Vivienne says it does not take them long to realize the opportunities to grow and become more self-sufficient and independent.
Banesa says it is a win-win. She plans to take her G.E.D. test next month and she says it would not have been possible without support from the center. "The motivation you receive here is wonderful. You have everybody pushing you."
The center is teaming up with the Huggies 'Every Little Bottom' campaign and holding a diaper drive this Saturday, June 25th at Sam's Club off Kietzke Lane in Reno. (It will be a free day at Sam's Club, which means you can shop there even without a membership.) Just grab a package of diapers or wipes while you are shopping and drop it off with representatives of the Women & Children's Center of the Sierra in the Sam's parking lot.
For more information, contact the center at 825-7395.
