Why WeeCycle?

Many families in Colorado struggle to make ends meet. In 2014, 15% of kids in Colorado under the age of 18 lived in poverty, which is defined as annual income at or below $23,850 for a family of four. And according to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy’s 2015 Self-Sufficiency Standard, a Denver family of four would need an annual income of at least $73,749 in order to be self-sufficient and meet all of their basic needs. For families with infants and toddlers, these needs not only include food and shelter, but also diapers, formula, bottles, baby safety gear and clothing to fit growing kids. WeeCycle helps provide access to these essential items for many Colorado families. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.

Becoming a parent can be an exciting but also overwhelming event, and these feelings may be increased if a parent feels unsure about whether they can meet their child’s basic needs. If a child’s primary caregivers are healthy — if they are not stressed, anxious or depressed—then the child and parent/caregiver can form a relationship that allows the child to feel safe, secure and stable… to thrive. Happy, healthy, thriving individuals form a positive and supportive community that can grow culturally, academically and economically.

Our country generates about 254 million tons of trash annually, and baby essentials can certainly add to this waste. Included in that trash is many of the 2 million car seats Americans purchase each year. Car seats can be rendered unusable through collisions, are required through certain ages and weights, and expire as their components age, with a maximum life of only six years. Add to that bottles, swings, strollers and cribs… Reducing the amount of waste in our landfills through reusing gently used gear helps reduce our impact on the environment, helping to provide a bright future for every child and family in Colorado.

SIDS and other sleep related deaths are the leading causes of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year of age. 1 in 3 American families experience diaper need, (approx.12 diapers/day for infants and 8/day for toddlers) and diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps. By providing one crib to a family living in poverty, we give 1,000 nights of safe sleep. With a month’s supply of diapers, WeeCycle helps a baby avoid infection and allows income to go to food or transportation to work. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diaper Bank Network