COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY AMRITA SIVIA
HELPING HOMELESS WOMEN
One Hygiene Product at a Time
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Homeless women all over the world lack adequate access to necessary feminine hygiene products. As a result, these women suffer from physical and emotional health issues, making this a critical social issue. After I first heard about this problem, I was moved to do something to help these women. However, change cannot happen if we do not first acknowledge the problem. While I cannot immediately help the global population of homeless women, I can help the homeless women in my community of San Jose, CA. Thus, my project to raise awareness of this social issue and collect donations to help the homeless women in my community was born.
VIDEO
Watch this short but powerful YouTube video How Do Homeless Women Cope With Their Periods? | NSFWomen by Bustle to learn more about this social issue.
My Research on this Social Issue
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Homeless women often can not prioritize their health since they are more concerned with finding shelter, transportation, and food. Nonetheless, their reproductive health is just as important to maintain and, as a society, we must aid these women by providing them with basic hygiene necessities. If we help these women by providing them with such necessities, they can focus on improving their lives and finding jobs and homes.
In a similar fashion, knowledge of how to take care of one’s menstruation is not discussed due to established social and cultural taboos that have created a cycle of neglect and ignorance among women and men. As a result, these women suffer from health problems caused by a lack of hygiene during menstruation, including infections from using dirty rags instead of disposable pads or tampons, toxic shock syndrome, and a higher risk of cervical cancer. Equipped with the proper knowledge, these women could take prevention measures to protect their health.
A lack of care during menstruation also negatively affects a homeless woman’s emotional and mental health. The effects of displacement on the homeless population is a crucial aspect of homelessness for it affects a person’s ability to reintegrate into homes and society. Displacement also negatively affects a person's self-esteem and self-identity. For homeless women specifically, the stresses and obstacles associated with displacement cause them to develop a low self-esteem which is worsened by the lack of access to hygiene products. Their inability to properly take care of their menstrual hygiene deteriorates their dignity and pride.
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BY THE NUMBERS
More than 40 million women live below the poverty line in the United States. (1)
A year's supply of tampons and pads costs upwards of $70. (1)
4,350 homeless persons in the city of San Jose. (2)
Around 35% of the homeless population in San Jose is female. (2)
TAKING ACTION
I held three drives as part of my project with a focus on collecting pads, tampons, and razors. I held the first drive at my high school University Preparatory Academy in San Jose, CA from 10/2 to 10/13; the second drive at the Dr. Roberto Cruz-Alum Rock Library from 10/23 to 11/19; and the third drive at the annual Girl Scout Thanksgiving Dinner Donation at St. John Vianney Church on 11/21 (with the help of Troop #60480).
In order to promote each drive, I created flyers that I posted around my school and community (i.e. local coffee shops), sent out emails to family and friends, as well as posted messages to community Facebook groups.
At the end of all 3 drives, I collected over 800 pads, over 700 tampons, 65 razors, 46 soap bars, an dozens of wipes, facial tissues, deodorants, lotion bottles, toothbrushes, toothpastes, floss picks, shaving cream cans, and hygiene bags.
I also received $80 in monetary donations which have been used to purchase sanitary products that were also donated.
By the end of this project, I collected a grand total of 1,182 pads/liners, 887 tampons, 141 razors, 141 razors, and 302 miscellaneous items (lotion bottles, cleansing wipes, facial tissues, shaving cream bottles, soap bars, and hygiene bags).
All of my donations have been donated to the LifeMoves Villa location located at 184 South 11th Street San Jose, CA 95112.
BREAKDOWN OFÂ PRODUCTS COLLECTED
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help these women too!
You can talk about this issue with your friends and family. This helps break down taboos surrounding the issue of homeless women lacking sanitary products. by making people more aware of the issue and hopefully inspiring them to continue the discussion and take action.
You can search for your local women's shelter to help the women in your very own community too. You can volunteer at the shelter or donate physical goods or money that will benefit the women that visit that shelter.
​You can start your own drive! Reach out to your local shelter to see what donations they need more of; then, pick a location to place your donation bin and pick a time frame for your drive; and, lastly, make flyers​ and spread the word!
CONTACT ME
I hope you enjoyed reviewing my project and learned something new - you can fill out this form if you have any questions or comments for me. Thank you!
CITATIONS
Weiss-Wolf, Jennifer. Helping Women and Girls. Period. New York: The New York Times, January 28, 2015. Web. <https://nyti.ms/2k7B4FF>.
ASR/HIRD (Applied Survey Research; Housing Instability Research Department). 2017 San José Homeless Census and Survey. San José: SanJoseCA.gov, 2017. Web. <http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/70076>.
Women Holding Hands Photo Credit to: <http://thebumpwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10-women-holding-hands.jpg>.
Video credits to Bustle, NSFWomen. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=ABch4VYOJZ0>.
Photo credits to Amrita Sivia for images of donations collected.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I'd like to give a special thanks to all the people who donated, making this project possible.Â
I'd also like to thank my community service mentor Cindy Panelli, academic mentor Ariana Rodriguez, my mother Mandy Sivia, Troop #60480, Alum Rock librarian Jessica Lundin, Gold Award Coordinator Courtney Mierop, Senior Manager of Volunteer Programs at Life Moves Lynnelle Bilsey, Life Moves Volunteer Programs Coordinator Jessica Bhuria, and the Life Moves Organization.