S2E18: Help United Through Caring Hands
![S2E18: Help United Through Caring Hands](https://www.podcastworld.io/podcast-images/your-nonprofit-life-7dqbziez.webp)
My guest for this episode is Founder and Executive Director of H.U.T.C.H. (Help United Through Caring Hands), Armishia Wiley-Adams.
Armishia was raised by her grandmother and uncle after her mother died when she was eight. She became pregnant in high school and dropped out. After having two more children before the age of 22, Armishia became determined to get off government assistance. She earned her GED followed by a Bachelor’s in Organizational Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management and then a Master’s in Organizational Management with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.
Over her decades of working in HR and making job placements, she was keenly aware of the gaps and flaws in the system where women were consistently referred for jobs that they were unqualified to keep. Armishia’s passion for helping women break out of poverty drove her to found her nonprofit H.U.T.C.H. Their mission is to teach women of all ages to become self-sufficient and workforce ready.
During this interview, Armishia and I talk about everything from referrals and assessments to job training and placement; from George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks to voter suppression and what it’s like being an African-American mom in the Atlanta area, and we also talk about the pandemic’s impact on programs and the board. Through it all, Armishia generously shares her triumphs and struggles of running a nonprofit all while holding down a full time job in HR.
As you know, I finished recording all the podcasts for this year months ago, and yet, each one has been released at a specific time for a specific reason. And I’ve been holding this interview until now because my guest holds a Vision Board Workshop every January…and I want you to consider sponsoring at least one woman to attend this because it will literally change her life.
https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2-ep-18-armishia-wiley-adams/
My guest today is LeeAnn Porter, the Founder and Executive Director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank in Galesburg, Illinois.
LeeAnn started the organization in her home back in 2014, and now they operate out of a 5,000 square foot warehouse and serve residents of SEVEN COUNTIES in Central Illinois.
Even though Loving Bottoms is a diaper bank—a hub for diaper distribution—the organization also provides a variety of basic necessities such as period supplies, incontinence supplies, and wipes to those in need.
Why is LeeAnn so passionate about diapers, you ask? Well, it goes back to a time when her world had turned upside down and LeeAnn found herself in a place she’d never been...making choices she never thought she’d ever have to make.
You will be inspired by LeeAnn’s story. It took a lot of grit and determination to rebuild her life. It wasn't long until she knew she had to help others who face similar challenges. And that's when the idea of a nonprofit burst in and said, "Start a diaper bank!"
I can’t wait for you to meet LeeAnn and hear how she’s helping her community (and surrounding communities) by providing what they need when and where they need it.
If you listen to the whole episode, you’ll hear about the most creative and fun fundraising idea I’ve heard about in a super long time. When she explained it, I was like, “Sign me up!” and “Take my money!” Yes, it’s that good, and you could totally adapt it to a virtual fundraiser if needed.
Enjoy this interview with the lovely and tenacious LeeAnn Porter, founder and Executive Director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank.
https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep13-leeann-porter/