The Local 212 FAST Fund and the Milwaukee Diaper Mission will continue to provide MATC students with diapers, baby wipes, and period products over the next 12 months. The FAST Fund donates all supplies to the Food Pantry located in the Student Resource Center at MATC’s downtown campus.
According to Liz Franczyk, the FAST Fund’s Executive Director and an MATC Spanish instructor, “We are so excited to be able to continue this partnership and are grateful that the Milwaukee Diaper Mission is able to double the number of diapers they give us each month. So many of our students are parents and not having to worry about diapers or period products is such a weight off their shoulders.”
Just this week, Milwaukee was ranked one of the 20 worst cities for renters. The median price of rent rose by $100 in the past year and the availability of affordable housing is paltry. “So many of our students struggle to pay basic needs like rent and food. Diapers can cost up to $80/ month for each child. I don’t want our students to have to choose between paying rent or buying diapers ,” said Franczyk. “Through this partnership we can remove at least one barrier our students face.”
“We are thrilled to be in the position to double our monthly support for MATC students,” said Lily Grant, Milwaukee Diaper Missions’ Operations Manager. “By working with the FAST Fund, we can help students pursue their goals because they know they have what they need to take care of themselves and their children. We are so grateful for the supportive communities that allow both Milwaukee Diaper Mission and the FAST Fund to be reliable sources of support for students as they work towards their dreams.”
Forty-seven percent of US families have reported experiencing diaper needs and five million children under 3 live in low-income families.
During the 2023-24 school year, the Milwaukee Diaper Mission provided over 63,000 diapers, 800 wipes and 51,000 period products to the Local 212 FAST Fund.
The FAST Fund is a faculty- led non-profit organization that was initiated by the American Federation of Teachers Local 212, Milwaukee Area Technical College’s faculty and professional staff union in 2016. The FAST Fund is committed to helping MATC students succeed and to promoting systemic reforms so that every MATC student has an opportunity to succeed.
