Meet Joanne Goldblum | CEO of the National Diaper Bank Network and Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanne Goldblum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started the National Diaper Bank Network I wanted to create a way for people to start diaper banks without having to reinvent the wheel. I had so many people asking me what I had done to start the New Haven Diaper Bank ( now the diaper bank of ct) that I knew I needed a way to share this information and I knew I could not do it while still running a local diaper bank. Also, I knew it was important that we have a unified voice in order to affect policy to make it so diapers and other basic needs were supported by some sort of federal subsidy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I strongly believe that it is possible to make positive change in the world – that is why I became a social worker. As a social worker, I constantly saw systematic issues that negatively impacted people’s lives. Particularly the lives of those living in poverty – I believe that our social safety net is designed to give people as little as possible – it presupposes that people are in poverty through some fault of their own. I believe this so strongly that I co-authored a book about that – Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding and Ending US Poverty. Over the last 11 years I have gotten to work with amazing people – the staff of National Diaper Bank Network as well as the members – we have more than 225 member diaper bank programs, currently and those member programs work with 5,346 partner agencies in local communities all across the country. In 2021 alone the Network distributed over 186 million diapers!!!
My most deeply held belief is that anything is possible and just because others may not understand or agree – you should still push forward!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When people come to the New Haven area it’s all about the food!! We would go to Nica’s market for some amazing Italian subs – both hot and cold. My personal favorite is the chicken and onions!! Everyone who comes to New Haven wants to get pizza – I am a fan of Modern Pizza though I know others favor Pepe”s!
Very close to where I live in Branford is my favorite seafood restaurant – Lenny’s Indian Head. My husband and I go there at least once a week for lobster, broiled scallops, or some of the best-fried seafood anywhere I have ever been.
It would not be a visit to Branford without a trip to see the Thimble Islands by boat – there are several boat tours ranging from 1-3 hours. We would also go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband David Goldblum – he has been 100% with me on this journey.

Website: www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diapernetwork

Other: http://brokeinamerica.net/