Lisa Truong: Changing the Lives of Families Through Diapers

May 2

In this special Mother’s Day episode, we talk to the one and only Lisa Truong. Starting out as a “mommy blog,” Lisa donated her Mother’s Day in 2009 and, with a friend, collected 15,000 diapers for those in need that year. That small act became first a nonprofit, and then a movement! Today, Help A Mother Out (where Lisa is CEO), is one of the leading mom-focused agencies in the U.S. and the biggest one in San Francisco filling this critical need with more 64 Million diapers donated. Listen in for an awesome triple scoop, be inspired by her story, and learn how you can also get involved in changing lives, one diapered child at a time.

Listen in as Kristine and Lisa discuss:

How Lisa learned about the diaper need and created an organization to address it.
Why diapers are an intersectional issue and are about more than a baby’s bottom.
The system-change needed in the world infant care.
The difference between cultural humility and cultural competency.
Using and developing a playful leadership style.

Key Takeaways:

Dignity comes when people have what they need, and deserve.
Diapers are a basic human need for our tiniest, most vulnerable citizens.
By collecting and distributing diapers, Help a Mother Out positively impacts economic empowerment and racial justice.
Children learn through play and community; adults can learn from them to do the same.
Consider honoring a mother in your life by donating to a women's and children’s organization in your area this Mother’s Day.

"We really want to change the public policy. We want to change the system because this is an oversight. I'm happy to be in this role and to serve the community in this way. But I think, ultimately, we really want to see that vision. We want to see a vision when every baby in America has access to a healthy supply of diapers." — Lisa Truong

More about Lisa Truong:

Lisa is a social entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She has been working across sectors to build public and private partnerships to address diaper needs since 2009. Under Lisa’s leadership, Help a Mother Out (“HAMO”) has grown from a grassroots, volunteer-run kitchen table idea to a nationally recognized, policy-influencing organization with an annual operating budget of $3 million. During her tenure, HAMO established (2015) and operates the nation’s first publicly funded diaper program, the San Francisco Diaper Bank, in partnership with the City and County of San Francisco. Prior to her work with HAMO, she held roles at Tides Foundation, among other nonprofits. Lisa is a 1.5-generation immigrant and grew up in the Bay Area. A first-generation college graduate, she received her B.A. from the University of California, at Berkeley. She currently lives in Oakland with her two boys. In her spare time, you'll likely find her taking a dance class or hiking in the redwoods.

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.helpamotherout.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpamotherout