Essentials

Partners

Maddi Loppnow
Lamyra Adams
Erika Jacobsen
Skylar Zamzow

Milwaukee Diaper Mission
Burn Bootcamp
UWM Food Pantry
Rhoan Garnett, Ph. D - YX Scientist and Higher Education Consultant
Natasha Griffin, M. Ed - Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Penfield Children’s Center

Our Mission

We are spreading awareness on diaper disparity in the city of Milwaukee. It has always been a problem and will continue to be a problem until it is properly recognized and dealt with. Diaper disparity in our communities has both psychological and physical health risks for all involved, especially parents, or guardians, children, and their families, that affects their future and overall quality of living. We prove that diapers are essential.

Vision

We imagine the people of the city of Milwaukee having proper access to affordable diapers, period products, and other essential hygiene supplies. This includes, but is not limited to, attainable information to diaper bank locations, increased knowledge on the effects of diaper disparity, and taking action to promote our mission to other cities.

 Branding

  • Volunteering

    We helped out MDM by wrapping and packing diapers for pick up while filming the documentary.

  • Volunteering

    We helped out MDM by wrapping and packing diapers for pick up while filming the documentary.

  • Diaper Drive

    Thank you Burn Bootcamp in Whitefish Bay for hosting the first Essentials Diaper Drive!

  • Installation

    All diapers were cling-wrapped to be able to donate to MDM after the showcase.

  • Showcase Day

    Megan, Executive Director of MDM, came to show support and the final product of our efforts to combat diaper disparity.

  • Donations

    After the the Burn Bootcamp Drive and How We Are Show, donations were dropped off at Milwaukee Diaper Mission headquarters.

The Design and Visual Communication Senior Capstone project consisted of My Manifesto (link) and a group equity project. My group and I decided to take action to combat diaper disparity in Milwaukee.

After researching the effects of lack of diaper affordability and accessibility, I created an infographic to summarize. I wanted viewers to be able to understand what the problem is, why it is a prevalent issue, how diaper banks work, and what they can do to help. An infographic was deemed essential for this project to give a short, yet in depth, overview of diaper disparity. 

Many of our previous projects in the DVC program were hypotheticals. It was principal that we get out and do our part to get involved and help. While filming for the documentary, we were able to volunteer at Milwaukee Diaper Mission. We wrapped diapers and facilitated in sorting, packing, and loading the bags into cars that were picking up donations. In the documentary, this part was included to show the behind the scenes of how a diaper bank works. 

I have worked on a multitude of group projects, and this was an outstanding group of designers to collaborate with. We balanced the workload and all were able to use our skills in our designated expertise. 

Maddi organized a diaper drive at Burn Bootcamp in Whitefish Bay which collected a total of 2735 diapers, 4 tubes of diaper cream, 1500 wipes, 197 training pants, 78 adult incontinence products, 283 pads, and 305 tampons. More donations were collected throughout the week of the How We Are Senior Design Exhibition and donated to Milwaukee Diaper Mission. 

Thank you to Milwaukee Diaper Mission, Burn Bootcamp, and UWM Food Pantry for providing access to research materials and advocacy for their programs and Rhoan Garnett and Natasha Griffin for assistance with research.