Since we are entering the season of giving - this month we have decided to feature the Fenton, MI based organization Faith in Femininity. When you read on, you will understand why.
"Faith in Femininity is a mission to give impoverished women power over their periods."
What does that mean exactly? Well...I asked that myself and after talking with 4 of the most dynamic young people I have ever met, I found out.
We were told of this local organization, Faith in Femininity, and our curiosity was peaked so last week Erin and I met with their team to find out more. Lindsey and Waverly, co-founders and co-presidents had learned of an organization (in another area) that provided feminine sanitary products, for FREE to underserved women.
After further research, they found out that there are many, many women right here in the Flint, MI area who do not have consistent regular access to these BASIC NECESSITIES to manage their periods. They decided to take action and Faith in Femininity was born.
Lindsey, Waverly, Maris and Madeline oversee the business, coordinate the fundraising, purchase product in bulk, organize a volunteer team to help put together their packs (which contain enough pads, tampons and panty liners for one monthly cycle along with information on Toxic Shock Syndrome and an empowering Bible verse) and work with local community outreach programs who put these supplies in the hands of women in our area.
The problem to solve - there are women in our community that do not have access to sanitary products to manage their periods and are being put at risk for infection, causing them to miss work and school and further stigmatizing them. Medicaid does not cover these costs and Michigan does not have any state program to help subsidize these expenses. To top it all off...did you know that tampons have an additional "luxury" tax? The cost associated to having your period, a normal body function without which none of us would exist, is forcing women in our community to seek out alternative options resorting to using socks, paper towel and reusing tampons (putting themselves at risk for infection and TSS) because they do not have access to the supplies they need. Is that crazy?
The solution – Faith in Femininity.
Recently our very own MOE, Erin, was able to be part of their packing party. Work stations were set up, assignments were given and after a brief tutorial, these young ladies led the all volunteer group, of mostly co-ed high school students, to assemble the packs and get them ready for distribution (see gallery pictures below). She raved about the organization, the focus, the energy and the sense of community at the event and felt privileged to have been able to participate.
Did I mention that these four girls are all students at Lake Fenton High School and were 15 and 16 years old when they founded this group last year? Amazing! With the support of their parents, their church, their fellow youth group members, teachers and mentors, they have done all of the leg work and have distributed nearly 1,000 period packs to date.
So often we see the saying “be the change you want to see” written on everything from bumper stickers to bed pillows, and although it makes us feel good to read these words, how many of us actually act on it? With concern for humanity, respect for all and a mission to empower, educate and provide needed feminine hygiene products for free to those in need, these girls kicked off their shoes and jumped in with both feet. If these young ladies are representative of our future…we are in very good hands!
- Randa
Please help us to support them by spreading the word. Visit their website https://ffpc.org/faith-in-femininity/, like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram. For a $3 monthly commitment (the cost of a cup of coffee), you can sponsor a woman’s’ entire yearly cycle!
Watch our events calendar as we are hoping to work with them in the near future and would LOVE for you to join us in this effort!