Alanson Public Schools
Final Grant Report for
Fiscal agent if applicant is not tax exempt:
Tax ID Number:
38-6001174
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Amy
Flynn
7400 North Street, Alanson, MI 49706
Address:
(231)548-2261
Phone Number:
Project Name:
Red Drop & Catch SEL Journeys
Project start and end dates:
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Amount Granted From Hestia:
$
600
Project results and Impact
How many girls/women have been served by the project during this project year?
There are currently 105 female students that attend our K-12 public school. Of which, approximately 56 female students will have access to Red Drop products.
Goal of the Project
Did you meet your program goals for the grant period?
If yes, how do you know? Please describe any program evaluation you use:
If no, please describe current barriers and how you are working to overcome them:
Feedback from young female students is that they have enlarge not felt well supported outside of school when it comes to learning about puberty, menses and the different feminine hygiene products available and how to use them. Proper fitting feminine hygiene products was also identified as a need for the younger and smaller framed girls that are just starting their periods. Aside from access the other main barrier identified was talking about it. We are working together with the staff that provides the puberty and sexual health classes to have time set aside for open forums with students to help reduce stigma on this topic. This also gives us an opportunity to share that Red Drop was funded by women for women. This helps the students understand that support can from unexpected places and the goal is to empower them to feel more comfortable talking about "that time of the month."
Do you have a story of how your program positively changed participant's situation, behavior, or knowledge?
If so, please share it:
As evidence by a bloody pair of underwear found "hidden" behind one of the toilet's in the elementary girls bathrooms. This incident has opened an ongoing conversation with students and one so far for the middle school female students that the school has plenty of feminine hygiene products available for their use while in school. Proper fitting feminine hygiene products such as Red Drop is a special consideration for these young girls to be more comfortable using them. Also, some student feedback: "Thank you for doing this for us." "I had no idea what to do!" "I felt so embarrassed but now I will try not to." "Now I understand it's not just me, it happens to all of us at different times." Since providing the education and Red Drop products the middle school girls are reporting back overall more positive feedback. Many still find the topic is embarrassing and it takes some effort to get the girls talking, we are talking about it! We will also be using an anonymous survey for more feedback once these lessons begin later in May.
Sustainability
Will this project continue?
If so, how will it be funded?
If not, why not?
I believe we have enough to provide during puberty lessons for next school year. Beyond that I am not sure how we will be able to provide these same feminine hygiene products, to be honest. This demographic is among some of the most rural and low income communities in our county.
Beyond providing the Red Drop products the goal was also to show the students that they are cared for by not only the adults in the building but also those in our communities as well. The plan will be to fully evaluate by surveys and conversations pre and post education for this year and next.
Public Relations
How did you publicize this grant?
Please list any examples.
We plan to add this to the school news letter and the schools Facebook page. When we provide the education and products the students are informed about the grant and the Hestia Women's Giving Circle is responsible for this supply of better fitting feminine hygiene products.
Summary Comments
I would like to share that this project was about more than just providing feminine hygiene products to young girls that are either awaiting, just starting their menses and for a better fitting product for some of the female student body. Mensuration is uncomfortable and can be scary for young girls. One goal was to also make an intentional effort to inform girls with the facts. It was also about teaching the girls that women should always seek to understand and support other women. This grant did just that and I could not be more pleased! They will be better educated about their bodies, have several feminine hygiene product options and the hope is to also empower them to feel more comfortable talking about sensitive issues that we face as women. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being an active participant in making this happen for our girls!
Grant Final Budget Form
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