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Power to the Period

DoSomething Student Ambassador

Final Project - Keely Aouga

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THE CAMPAIGN

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Problem:

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• Many of the 3.5 million Americans who experience homelessness each year have extremely limited access to period products (pads, tampons, etc.). In fact, period products are some of the most needed items in homeless shelters across the country.

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• Period poverty is defined as a lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, toilets, handwashing facilities, and, or, waste management. It’s still an issue that affects people that have a period around the world.

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• Research from development and humanitarian organization Plan International has found that the Covid-19 pandemic is leaving people struggling to manage their periods. They surveyed health professionals in 30 countries and 73% said restricted access to products through shortages or disrupted supply chains is a major issue.

• According to a recent study, a startling one-in-five teens have struggled to afford period products or have not been able to purchase them at all, and one-in-four teens have missed class due the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.

Collect unopened packages of period products and donate them to a local homeless shelter.Together, our efforts help ensure that people in shelters have consistent access to the supplies they need.

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SOLUTION

POWER TO THE PERIOD COHORT

COLLECTION GOAL

600

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POWER TO THE PERIOD

COLLECTION ACTUAL

1,323

Collected in four weeks!

Running a Period Product Campaign Digitally

• Ran through the entire month of July

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• Created posters to post online and used Venmo and Cashapp as ways to raise money, rather than a registry.

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• Purchased products in bulk from BJ’s store

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• Reached out to shelters in Newark, NJ

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• Dropped off donations

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• Reached out to each donor to thank them and update them on the success of the campaign

Fliers Created

Fliers were shared on a different social media platform each week, starting with Instagram, then Snapchat, and Facebook.

POWER TO THE PERIOD

PERSONAL COLLECTION GOAL

$500

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POWER TO THE PERIOD

COLLECTION ACTUAL

$750+

Collected in four weeks!

Shelter Received Donations

Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth. Covenant House was one of three shelters that the products were donated to.

Before becoming a DoSomething Ambassador, I never thought of running a campaign as a form of activism. Through this drive, I see the direct impact we all can have within our communities when we all pitch in to make a change, and I think that’s pretty special. - Keely

Power To The Period Student Ambassadors

Bobbie Bell (Captain)

Alexia Cox

Banyan Olds

Estefania Rivera

Isobel Sheil

Jayna Randolph

Keely Aouga

Leya Groysman

Maisa Lopes Crispino

Paige McGlauflin

Synclaire Warren

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DoSomething.org Staff Member Cohort Facilitators - Alisha Mikluch & Sahara Lake