Diaper bank in need of supplies

Juliette Brown, of Winter Garden, knows the value of Second Chance Resource Center, as she has been the recipient of diapers in the past.

Before her 2-year-old daughter was potty-trained, Brown was in constant need of diapers. Her husband was in between jobs, the family budget was tight, and diapers were an expensive purchase. She read about the center in the City of Winter Garden’s monthly newsletter and reached out to Sharon Lyles, president of the nonprofit organization, who provided the necessities to the struggling family.

The Winter Garden agency has needs of its own, too — Lyles never can keep enough diapers, wipes, formula or food stocked on her shelves. The city of Winter Garden is hosting a Diaper Drive through September, and everything collected will go to Second Chance to be distributed to Central Florida families.

Lyles started Second Chance in 1997 as a mentoring program for teenage mothers and provided diapers and clothing for the babies. But she was fulfilling a basic need for single mothers about 19 years ago when she learned that baby formula was available through government subsidy programs but not diapers.

The thought of babies sitting in wet and soiled diapers bothered Lyles. A lack of clean diapers also meant mothers couldn’t leave their children in daycare.

She said awareness is key to the success of her organization. To help the community understand her mission, she is holding an open house at Second Chance Resource Center from 9 to 11 a.m. Fridays, Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Her agency also was among 15 selected for inclusion on Central Florida’s Lynx buses, and their logos will be featured on the public transportation for one year.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].