Distributing feminine hygiene products to the women of New York City’s Homeless Community; Raising Awareness and Normalizing Womanhood.
The reality of homelessness is something we, as New Yorkers, are faced with on what is practically a daily basis. We encounter homeless individuals all throughout our communities and often face the difficulty of not knowing what we can do to help them beyond passing along some of our spare money or food. This can be frustrating, as the great majority of us know that many of the basic human necessities that we often take for granted such as food, shelter, warmth, and hygiene products, are seen as luxuries to those who simply cannot afford them… and that our change and granola bars can only go so far in providing them with these essentials.
Our mission focuses on some particularly expensive necessities that are all too often left forgotten: feminine hygiene products. Menstruation is labeled by many (even in the U.S.A.) as a taboo topic. It is because of this that the issues surrounding it are not granted the attention they require, and are thus left to perpetually worsen. ‘Periods Happen’, along with our many sister organizations, hopes to reverse this cycle… and to, in turn, normalize the menstrual cycle.
Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the stigma surrounding periods and to make feminine hygiene products more accessible to women, starting on the scale of New York City’s homeless community. We plan on doing so by hosting public fundraisers and feminine hygiene-product drives throughout NYC, targeting areas with high traffic such as Union Square, Washington Square, Madison Square, and more. At these drives we will be accepting all packaged feminine hygiene products which include, but are not limited to: tampons, pads, pantyliners, hygienic wipes, quality toilet papers, hand sanitizers, and menstrual cups. We will also be accepting medications like ‘Motrin’, which are often used to relieve discomfort and pain caused by menstruation.
“This is not just about getting products to those who need them, which is obviously a priority. This is really about bringing dignity to women.”
-Julissa Ferraras Copeland (NYC Council Member)
Based on the Daily Report released by the NYC Department of Homeless Services, as of May 16, 2017 there are 3,804 single homeless women living in NYC’s shelters. This absurdly high number is but a small portion of the total of New York City’s homeless women (not to mention young-women below the age of 18) who are left to decide between whether they should use the little money they have on feeding themselves or taking care of their most essential hygienic needs…
” The cheapest box of tampons in that drug store costs a little over $7. That is more than my boyfriend and I spend on a meal for us both, but I would rather be clean than be full.”
-Alex (Young Homeless Woman in NYC)
It is time that one of the most regular functions of the woman’s body becomes accepted in our culture in order to bring about necessary changes. It is time that women are not pressured to be ashamed of their healthy bodily functions, but are instead motivated to be acceptant of them. It is time we pay mind to the reality that is the PERIOD. Let us start by helping those in need to reclaim their right to their health. Your donations and support are what help us achieve our goals, and for that we thank you all in advance!
Upcoming drives:
- May 24th @ 3 PM – Madison Square Park
@ 6 PM – Baruch College
- May 30th @ 12 PM – Union Square Park
@ 3 PM – Washington Square Park
- June 2nd @ 12 PM – Astor Place
@ 3 PM – Thompkins Square Park
Paypal / Venmo Donations to: [email protected]
**All funding goes directly to the purchase of feminine hygiene products which are to be distributed amongst the Homeless Women of New York City; particularly menstrual cups, which are rarely donated at our drives and have proven to be most effective tools for the homeless due to their sustainable nature. For more information on menstrual cups, visit the following link to one of our honorary sponsor’s website: http://divacup.com/ **
More Info:
Doula-Led Period Project:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT6UvCZ0j9I
Individual effort can & DOES make a difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j88sOT1SBqk
Diva Cup’s Impact:
http://divacup.com/sustainability/
“Pink Tax”: