SOLVE delivers thousands of diapers, wipes to moms in need in Manatee County

For the second year in a row, the congregation of Peace Presbyterian Church in East Manatee came to the aid of low-income mothers by providing a basic necessity not covered by low-income assistance programs: baby diapers.

In honor of Mothers’ Day, the Mission Committee of Peace Presbyterian, 12705 State Road 64 E., delivered 4,023 diapers and 2,732 wipes to the two homes in downtown Bradenton serving clients with crisis pregnancies.

“A newborn baby uses about 10 to 12 diapers a day, so donations of diapers are welcome,” said Sheri Ketner, director of community relations for SOLVE, a residential home for young girls and women with crisis pregnancies.

SOLVE has for 40 years been serving girls (the youngest 11 years old) and women who have nowhere to turn when they become pregnant.

“Many of these girls come in literally wearing the only clothes they own,” Ketner said. “Recently, a sheriff’s officer brought in a girl who was living in a tent. Mostly, the girls are local, but we did have one girl come in from Michigan from a very wealthy family who didn’t have time for her.”

Each girl receives a thorough assessment of educational and skill levels and works with a counselor and caseworker to develop an exit plan within three weeks of her arrival. Once the new mother’s baby is 3 months old, she is required to leave — hopefully with a fresh start.

“We hone their job and interview skills, offer cooking classes and check out their exit residence. We make sure everything is safe and appropriate for them when they leave,” Ketner adds. “No returning to what was an abusive situation.”

The girls also are taught money management and other life skills, such as grocery shopping with coupons to economize on the basic cost of living.

SOLVE coordinates with the Women’s Resource Center, which provides clothing for job interviews, and Young Life, a faith-based youth group which offers spiritual

support.

“The Young Lives leader Becky McSwain shows them how to have fun,” Ketner says. “She brings in an element of fun that they don’t have.”

Hanging in the living room of one of the SOLVE homes is a sign saying, “A baby is God’s way of saying the world should go on.”

Information: 941-748- 0094.

Herald staff report

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 10:18 PM with the headline "SOLVE delivers thousands of diapers, wipes to moms in need in Manatee County."