Did you know on average one baby uses 3,000 diapers a year? 

HomeAid's 5th Annual Essentials for Young Lives Campaign will run May 4 - 11, 2012 across Orange County.  This donation drive collects essential items for babies such as diapers, wipes, hygiene items and food.  HomeAid's goal is to ensure that every baby in our community has access to the essential items they need by annoucing their 2012 goal - to provide up to six months of supplies by collecting 500,000 diapers! We need your help!

The items collected are delivered to agencies that operate facilities built in partnership with HomeAid and families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.  Essentials for Young Lives donations enable recipient agencies to save the funds normally spent on diapers, wipes and food. This allows them to utilize funds for programs that help their clients achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness.



Partner agencies include, American Family Housing, Anaheim Interfaith Shelter, Casa Teresa, Families Forward, H.I.S. House, Human Options, Interval House, Isaiah House, Laura’s House, Mary’s Shelter, Mercy House, Orange County Rescue Mission, Pathways of Hope, Precious Life Shelter, Thomas House and W.T.L.C.

To sign-up to participate, donate or volunteer please click here http://www.homeaidoc.org/calendar_essentials.php 

Anaheim Duck Fans Support Hockey for Huggies

Essentials for Young Lives Honorary Chair Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens greeted and thanked Duck Fans at the February 23 home game at the Honda Center.

Duck Fans generously supported Hockey for Huggies to benefit Essentials for Young Lives. Diaper and cash donations totaled more than 17,000 diapers. Click here to read Eric Carpenter's article in The Orange County Register.

There is still time to participate in the text donation program. Just text "Ducks" 501501 to make a $5 donation which will help buy more diapers. The program ends Monday, March 28.

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens Chairs 2011 Essentials for Young Lives

On Tuesday, February 22, 2011 HomeAid Orange County announced Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will be the honorary chair of the 2011 Essentials for Young Lives Drive. Click here to read press release.

HomeAid's goal is to double the 2010 collection totals and provide more than 500,000 "essential" baby items for the HomeAid's 16 agency partners serving homeless families.

LtoR: Scott Larson, HomeAid Orange County; Theresa Murphy, Precious Life Shelter; Colleen Smagala, Anaheim Interfaith Shelter; Bill Campbell, Orange County Board of Supervisors; Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens; Pam Lee, Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services; and Teri Niebuhr, H.I.S. House.

Anaheim Ducks Support Hockey for Huggies

Anaheim Ducks are helping jump start the 2011 Essentials for Young Lives campaign by partnering with NHL's Hockey for Huggies. Fans are asked to donate diapers at their February 23 home game vs. Los Angeles. Don't have tickets for the game - you can still support the efforts by texting "Ducks" to 501501 to make a $5 donation. Funds will benefit HomeAid's Essentials for Young Lives.

YMCA of Orange County Returning as Major Supporter of 2011 Campaign

Since 2009 the YMCA of Orange County has supported Essentials for Young Lives. We're excited to announce this outstanding community organization will again be a major supporter for the 2011 Campaign.

The YMCA of Orange County's vision is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities in Orange County. Annually they serve 50,000 people through their programs which include: Afterschool Care, Aquatics, Camp, Community Services, Health & Wellness, Sports, Y-Guides & Princesses Parent-Child Programs and Youth Development.

Click here to see a video and learn more about the YMCA of Orange County.

View the video below to see the YMCA children share their thoughts on Essentials for Young Lives.

4th Annual Donation Drive

Thank you to the more than 80 companies, community organizations and individuals that generously volunteered their time and resources to help homeless mothers and their children. Click here to see more details. Your support in 2010 helped us collect:

• 102,229 diapers
• 157,093 baby wipes
• 9,413 jars of baby food, cereal, finger food, etc.
• 4,434 (hygiene items, strollers, car seats, blankets etc.)

2010 grand total is 273,169!!!! This is an 88% increase from the 2009 totals!!! Since 2008 we've collected 536,379 "essential" baby items and distributed these much needed donations to hundreds of homeless mothers and their infants in Orange County.

Unfortunately the needs continue to grow. Families are still the fasting growing segment of the homeless population. Our goal for 2011 is "500,000"

Please save the dates and help us reach (and even surpass) our goal.

2011 Essentials for Young Lives Campaign Dates:
Kick -Off: Saturday, April 29, 2011 at Irvine Spectrum Center®

Campaign Week: May 2 - 6, 2011

More details coming soon.

Press Conference At State Capitol

Monday, April 26, 2010 HomeAid in partnership with First 5/Children and Families Commission launched the first Essentials for Young Lives drive in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. View the press conference.