Yulissa Olvera was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, a community she holds close to her heart. Since November 2023, she has been working as an outreach professional with the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) where she has taken on a vital role in SWOP/CP4P’s Diaper Program. The program is quickly approaching its one-year milestone.
The idea for the Diaper Program was born out of a simple but powerful observation: families in the community were struggling to make ends meet. “We noticed that many families needed a break in their budget,” Yulissa explained. “We thought this would be a good way to relieve some of the financial pressure by helping with necessities people need every day.”
But the program is about more than just diapers. It’s about showing up for the community. “There are times when people feel like no one is looking out for them,” Yulissa said. “We wanted them to know that we are. SWOP is.”
Since its inception, the Diaper Program has provided support to over 200 families from West Lawn, Gage Park, and Chicago Lawn. The need has been so significant that people from outside these communities have begun seeking help as well. “We’ve heard from so many people who are working hard but barely making enough to pay bills,” Yulissa shared. “This program gives them a little extra income they can use for food, clothes, and their children.”
Through the Diaper Program, SWOP and CP4P are also able to reach high-risk individuals—those who are most vulnerable to the challenges of daily life due to limited resources. This focus aligns with CP4P’s mission to support people who may need extra help to navigate life’s difficulties.
To make this possible, Yulissa and her colleague, Jose Barajas (another Outreach Professional for CP4P), partnered with Share Our Spare (SOS), an organization dedicated to helping families in need by providing essential items for young kids. Every month, they coordinate with Yaya, a passionate advocate for SOS’s mission, to pick up the diapers and distribute them to families in need. They set up appointments, ensuring families can access the supplies they need with dignity and respect.
But the program doesn’t stop at diapers. It serves as a gateway to additional support. “When we canvas the neighborhoods, we aren’t just looking for people in need of diapers. We ask families about other resources they may need—workforce development, leadership opportunities, housing, citizenship support, and more,” Yulissa explained. “We’re building connections, having one-on-one conversations, and helping our community build its power.”
The program also includes shopping days, where families can schedule an appointment to pick up other necessities like books, baby formula, backpacks, and more.
Yulissa and her team are committed to continuing this work as long as they have the resources to do so. “We want to help as many families as possible,” she said. “Our communities deserve support, and we’re here to make sure they get it.”
Anayely, a single mother of two living in Gage Park and working for minimum wage, knows the challenges of making ends meet. “Finding support through this program has been a huge relief, helping to ease my monthly expenses. Beyond just providing diapers, the assistance feels personal—Yulissa goes the extra mile by meeting me or even delivering them when needed.”
Anayely understands that asking for help isn’t always easy. “There’s a lot of pride that comes with seeking assistance,” she says. But through her own experience, she’s learned that there’s nothing wrong with reaching out. She has already shared this resource with many other single mothers and encourages anyone in need to do the same.
Through SWOP/CP4P’s Diaper Program, Yulissa and her team are not only meeting a basic need but are also reinforcing a powerful message: the community is not alone. There are people who care, who listen, and who are ready to help. And as long as there is a need, SWOP will be there, standing strong with the families of Chicago’s southside.
