This year, United Way Hastings & Prince Edward’s Women United™ and Youth2Youth HPE will campaign with other United Ways for the Period Promise initiative.
At least half of people who menstruate will struggle with access to products at some point in their lives – this could mean missing a job interview or an important community event, which limits one’s access to opportunities and overall quality of life and health.
The Period Promise initiative aims to both draw awareness to and help reduce period inequalities faced by people in our community while aiming to fill that gap by collecting products that help strengthen vital connections in our
community.
Women United™ is a local group of changemakers with a passion for bringing about positive change for women and girls in our community. This is the second year United Way HPE’s Women United™ is supporting this priority issue.
“Periods are just a fact of life. But if you’re living in poverty, or vulnerable in other ways, access to menstrual products can be even more challenging. Women United™ is committed to collectively finding solutions to help reduce period inequality for people in our community” – Corrine Engelmann, Women United™ member/ Finance & Admin. Manager, United Way HPE.
Period products are one of the most requested items at a food bank, yet one of the least ever donated.
In November 2021, Youth2Youth HPE launched a new pilot project that ensures everyone who needs access to period products has them. In partnership with the City of Belleville and the YMCA Central East Ontario. This project is currently offering free period products in public washrooms at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre and in the change rooms of the YMCA in both Belleville & Quinte West.
“We know that one quarter of people have gone through a period without having any products to support them. Youth2Youth HPE supports the Period Promise initiative to not only help increase access to period products, and also raise awareness about the implications of this struggle for many” – Amanda Barriage, Youth2Youth Ambassador.
Until June 2, 2022 – donations of cash or product can be dropped off at 55 Harriett Street in Belleville. Every donation of tampons, pads, cups, or underwear will be distributed to organizations across Hastings & Prince Edward counties, helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and tackle the vulnerability and isolation caused by period inequality.
Contributing to the Period Promise campaign is one way you can help build healthier, more caring and inclusive
communities where nobody has to choose between buying food or products that make it possible to stay connected to their community.
For more information, visit www.periodpromise.ca
