Meet Courtney Garcia of Riverside Ca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Garcia.

Hi Courtney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire began with a simple belief: no parent should have to choose between keeping their baby clean and paying for essentials like food, rent, or transportation. In 2019, that belief sparked a conversation—one that quickly revealed a painful reality across our region. Families were struggling, often quietly, to afford diapers. Shelters and community agencies were overwhelmed. And yet, there was no consistent, reliable source of diaper support in the Inland Empire.
What started as a small, community project with The Junior League of Riverside—boxes of donated diapers stacked in garages, community rooms, and borrowed spaces—soon grew into a mission. The Junior League women and community volunteers, many of them parents themselves, came together with determination and heart. They hosted diaper drives, partnered with local organizations, and raised awareness about diaper need, an issue that had long been overlooked.

As the need grew, so did the vision. The founders committed to building something sustainable—an organization that could respond to emergencies, support partner agencies, and serve families with dignity. Step by step, partnership by partnership, the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire took shape. Community members, companies, civic groups, and donors joined in, helping transform a small, volunteer-driven project into a reliable regional resource

Over the years, the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire expanded its capacity, strengthened its infrastructure, and deepened its impact. What began with a handful of volunteers now includes a dedicated team, a network of partner agencies, and a strong presence in the Inland Empire community. With each distribution, each collaboration, each family served, the mission grew clearer: to ensure that every child in our region has access to the basic essentials needed for a healthy start.

Today, the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire is now a standalone nonprofit and true testament to what compassion, collaboration, and community can build. We’ve grown—but our heart remains exactly the same as it was on day one. We are driven by the belief that supporting families strengthens our entire region. And with the continued generosity of our partners, volunteers, and supporters, we look ahead with hope, ready to serve even more families and meet the growing needs of our community.

Our story is still being written—one diaper, one family, one act of kindness at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire didn’t grow overnight. Behind every distribution, every partnership, and every milestone are real challenges that shaped who we are today.

In the beginning, the struggle was simple but overwhelming: need far outweighed resources. We were trying to serve a growing number of families with whatever donations we could gather—sometimes just a handful of boxes stacked in a garage or packed into the backseat of someone’s car. The demand never slowed, but the supplies often did.

We also faced the challenge of awareness. Many people didn’t know diaper need existed, or that assistance programs don’t cover diapers. It took countless conversations, community events, and outreach efforts just to shine a light on a problem affecting thousands of local families.

Then came the hurdles that every small nonprofit knows too well—limited staffing, volunteer burnout, and the constant chase for funding. There were moments we wondered how we’d make it to the next distribution or keep our shelves stocked enough to support our partner agencies. Some days, the work felt bigger than our capacity.

And, of course, space was always an issue. As diapers began arriving by the pallet, our storage never seemed big enough. We moved, reorganized, and stretched every square foot to make the most of what we had.

But every struggle came with a lesson.
Every setback strengthened our mission.
Every challenge reminded us why this work matters.

Because behind those hardships were families—parents doing everything they could, babies who deserved comfort and dignity, and a community that believed in stepping up for one another.

Through it all, we kept going. We grew. And today, the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire stands stronger because of the obstacles we pushed through together.

Our story is proof that even when the road is hard, the impact is worth it. And we’re not done yet.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My Journey With the Junior League of Riverside & the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire

My involvement with the Junior League of Riverside didn’t just introduce me to community service—it reshaped my purpose. One of the most meaningful projects I was part of was the Diaper Bank initiative, a program created to support local families facing diaper need. What started as volunteer work quickly became something much deeper. I saw firsthand how something as simple as a clean diaper can provide stability, dignity, and relief for a family just trying to get by.

With my background in child development, I understood the impact that consistent access to diapers has on a child’s health, comfort, and emotional well-being. I knew the research, but through the Diaper Bank, I met the families behind the statistics. I listened to parents who had to stretch a single diaper longer than anyone should. I saw how this basic need—one so many take for granted—could shape a child’s early development and a parent’s daily stress.

That experience lit a fire in me.

Today, I am proud to continue that work with the Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire as the Executive Director, helping carry forward a mission that started in Junior League halls and grew into a regional lifeline for families. Whether I’m coordinating distributions, supporting partnerships, advocating for resources, or helping raise awareness about diaper need, I am committed to ensuring families in our community never feel alone in this struggle.

What I do now is more than volunteer work—it is a continuation of everything I’ve learned about early childhood, family support, and community care. It’s using my background to make a real difference. It’s building something bigger than myself. And it’s a constant reminder that when we show up for children and families, we strengthen our entire community.

I’m grateful for where this journey began—and even more grateful for where it continues to lead.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
When I think about the work I do and the impact I strive to make, there are a few qualities and characteristics that have truly guided my journey. These are the traits I lean on, grow through, and carry with me every day:

Compassion
Everything begins with empathy. Understanding the families we serve and truly listening to their stories keeps my work grounded in purpose.

Dedication
Showing up consistently—no matter how busy, challenging, or uncertain things can be—has been one of the pillars of my success.

Adaptability
Nonprofit work changes fast. Being flexible and willing to adjust allows me to stay effective, creative, and open to new solutions.

Collaboration
I believe deeply in the power of community. Partnering with others, building relationships, and working as a team is how real impact happens.

Organization & Follow-Through
Being able to stay on top of details, plan ahead, and bring ideas to life is something I take pride in. It helps keep projects moving and goals within reach.

Passion for Helping Families
At the heart of everything I do is a genuine desire to support children and caregivers. That passion keeps me focused, motivated, and committed to the mission.

These qualities don’t make me perfect—they make me purposeful. They remind me why I started, how far I’ve come, and why I’m excited to keep growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Diaperbankie.org
• Instagram: @diaperbankie
• Facebook: Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire

Image Credits
All Images taken by Courtney Garcia. My headshot was taken by CareSource.