"I was a single mom for 10 years and I had an eight year-old, Conrad, and 17-month old daughter, Baija, and in December 2003, Baija was actually killed by someone I trusted to watch her," says Hope Dupnik.
It was a devastating event no mother wants to see happen. But instead of holding on to anger, Hope decided to make a promise to her daughter.
"I promised her that I was going to live the rest of my life to help as many people as I can," says Dupnik.
When Dupnik thought about how she would give back, she immediately remembered receiving diapers from St. Marks Episcopal Church and wanted to find a way to return the favor.
"I thought I was just going to have a little diaper drive," she says.
But it actually turned into something bigger. However, she never expected it to grow into a building over 20,000 square feet.
Baija's Promise International is a diaper bank that serves way more needs than wet bottoms.
In fact, it will be where she and her family lives as well as a place for parents and guardians to learn and grow.
"They can come to these life skills type classes and they're going to earn what's called Baija bucks," says Dupnik.
Vouchers they will earn while they learn.
She says, "They can take those vouchers into the store and buy new needed items for their children."
Dupnik's vision may be big, and it is definitely going to take a lot of work, but she knows the lessons she will be able to pass on to others will help people world wide.
"Forgiving the murder of my daughter was the most freeing experience I've ever had," says Dupnik.
It was a devastating event no mother wants to see happen. But instead of holding on to anger, Hope decided to make a promise to her daughter.
"I promised her that I was going to live the rest of my life to help as many people as I can," says Dupnik.
When Dupnik thought about how she would give back, she immediately remembered receiving diapers from St. Marks Episcopal Church and wanted to find a way to return the favor.
"I thought I was just going to have a little diaper drive," she says.
But it actually turned into something bigger. However, she never expected it to grow into a building over 20,000 square feet.
Baija's Promise International is a diaper bank that serves way more needs than wet bottoms.
In fact, it will be where she and her family lives as well as a place for parents and guardians to learn and grow.
"They can come to these life skills type classes and they're going to earn what's called Baija bucks," says Dupnik.
Vouchers they will earn while they learn.
She says, "They can take those vouchers into the store and buy new needed items for their children."
Dupnik's vision may be big, and it is definitely going to take a lot of work, but she knows the lessons she will be able to pass on to others will help people world wide.
"Forgiving the murder of my daughter was the most freeing experience I've ever had," says Dupnik.
