Los Angeles Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson has partnered with the Good+Foundation in Los Angeles to provide free diapers, baby wipes and toys to local families in need during the coronavirus outbreak. The diapers and baby wipes will be distributed to local organizations that work with low-income families in Los Angeles County.
“Free diapers and baby wipes during a time like this can really make a difference for struggling families,” said Wesson. “The money saved on having to buy diapers can mean more money for food for a household where one or both parents are not working at this time. Baby wipes, like toilet paper, have been flying off the shelves and not always available for parents in need of them. I’m glad that my office can continue to be a resource to all communities during our collective time of need.”
“Councilmember Wesson has always been there for the community and I knew that we could partner with his office to get these diapers distributed and out the people who really need them,” commented Dr. Alan-Michael Graves, Good+Foundation National Director.
Founded in 2001, Good+Foundation is a leading national nonprofit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers and caregivers, creating an upward trajectory for the whole family.
With warehouses in New York City and Los Angeles, Good+Foundation partners with approximately 75 innovative anti-poverty programs across the country with the goal of incentivizing parental enrollment and participation in programs like job training, GED attainment, anger management, healthy relationships, and addressing trauma.
In 2010, Good+Foundation expanded programming to intentionally include fathers believing that stronger fathers build stronger, more resilient families, which are the backbone of thriving communities.
“The more we invest in fathers, the greater impact we see on children and families as a whole,” added Dr. Graves.
In addition to the diapers and baby wipes, Wesson has directed his staff to reach out to local and national businesses for donations that can be made to the community during Los Angeles’ coronavirus quarantine.
To date, Wesson has helped lead the City Council on developing emergency measures to implement a moratorium on housing evictions and mortgage foreclosures, initial financial assistance for small businesses, and other temporary measures to support working people during this period of economic uncertainty. Wesson says they have also worked with Mayor Eric Garcetti and the LA Department of Transportation to relax street sweeping parking enforcement in residential areas across his council district while the city confronts this crisis.
Wesson is also taking the health and safety of his staff seriously as well.
“To protect my staff and our communities, my office has shifted to telecommuting, but are fully available for constituent inquiries via and phone,” Wesson explained. “I encourage my constituents to go to herbwesson.com.”
Wesson says that he sends out an almost daily email newsletter to his constituents that explains all of the latest news regarding the coronavirus pandemic and resources available to Los Angeles residents.
Those resources include the Los Angeles Unified School District’s opening of Grab & Go Food Centers that give families 60 sites where they can pick up two nutritious meals for every child in the household.
Wesson added, “In a week, life, as we know it, has changed. But it’s also shown us all who the true essential workers in our society are. It’s not the business executives, nor the Wall Street bankers. It’s our grocery store workers, our doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, our delivery drivers, our restaurant staff, and other workers who are among the hardest working and lowest paid members of our society. When this is over, I hope we all take a serious look at how we value these incredibly important workers.”
“Many folks who had a steady paycheck last week don’t know where there next one is coming from. Many businesses don’t know where their next revenue will come from. Things have turned upside down in one way or another for all of us.”
“But I am proud of the way our city has responded. I know this is an incredibly challenging time, but perhaps better than anywhere in the nation, our city and state have recognized the urgent threat this virus presents and have shown we are willing to sacrifice our short-term, individual way of life for the long-term benefit of our society.”
“More than ever, this is a time for us to come together as one. This virus knows no background or ethnicity, and it requires all of us coming together to beat it. This time can bring out the best or the worst in us, and it’s up to each and every one of us to determine which one we will be.”
Wesson urges Los Angeles residents to sign up for his email newsletter and to follow him on social media for the latest updates. His website is herbwesson.com.
