The Village is proud to have forged a strong partnership with Dignity Grows, a national nonprofit leader in the fight against period poverty, to ensure that our clients and students in Greater Hartford have access to the menstrual and hygiene products they need.
Period poverty is defined as “limited or uncertain access to basic menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints.” This issue affects people of all ages and is particularly prevalent in Greater Hartford, where more than 35% of individuals struggle to access or afford these essential products for themselves or their families. The consequences are far-reaching, contributing to chronic school absenteeism, difficulties in employment and significant mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. Period poverty is an often-overlooked form of health inequity, but thanks to Dignity Grows, the issue is gaining attention.
Dignity Grows assembles and acquires the products, but we wouldn’t be able to get them to those who need them without partnerships like The Village.
“Dignity Grows assembles and acquires the products, but we wouldn’t be able to get them to those who need them without partnerships like The Village,” said Rebecca Carroll, Flagship Operations Associate at Dignity Grows. “The Village can distribute these totes to a wide range of communities, whether through their work with individuals impacted by opioid use or through home visits with families and children. This ensures that people have these essential items when they need them, allowing them to live their lives fully and attend school or work.”
We teamed up with Dignity Grows during our annual back-to-school drive to create a first-of-its-kind event that provided students in middle school and above with totes of hygiene and period-care essentials alongside backpacks, pencils, notebooks and uniforms to ensure that they truly had everything they needed to begin the school year with confidence.
We know that when students have the basic supplies they need, they are in a better position to thrive and succeed. No student should have to miss school or be unable to participate fully in daily activities due to shame or anxiety around accessing period products. Social stigma regarding menstruation remains strong: according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the United States 58% of women are ashamed of having a period, and 51% of men believe it is improper to discuss periods. Through their partnership with The Village and other community groups, Dignity Grows is challenging this stigma, helping families and youth in Greater Hartford feel respected, secure and prepared.