Pads for Grads Dignity and The

The Organization strives to impact period poverty in the United States. In 2019, research conducted by the Organization in conjunction with Saint Louis University confirmed the presence of substantial period poverty in the greater St. Louis community. Based on this research, the Organization began a US-based program focusing on the distribution of kits containing 4 washable, reusable menstrual pads(equivalent of 240 disposable pads each kit) to schools, libraries, food pantries and other collaborating organizations throughout the US. The Organization also is developing educational material to be distributed with the kits, that provides instruction on the use of pads, addresses the biology of menstruation and debunks taboos and misinformation which are prevalent concerning menstruation. In 2022, the Organization reached 3800 individuals through the US-based program, providing them with sustainable pad kits to meet their menstrual hygiene needs for at least 12 months.

Programs have been established to impact period poverty around the globe by improving access to accurate menstrual information and distributing high-quality washable/reusable menstrual hygiene products. The programs have been established to ensure that these women have access to satisfactory menstrual hygiene products in spite of their impoverished circumstances. Since the Organization started its programs, it has reached over 350,000 students and distributed over 166,000 menstrual hygiene kits in Ethiopia. COVID-19 has affected girls and families across the world and led to the closure of schools in Northern Ethiopia in March 2020. The programs have been expanded to assist relief efforts in Ethiopia as a result of effects of the virus. Clashes between Federal Ethiopian troops and Tigray Regional forces in northern Ethiopia have forced the Organization to extend their usual outreach to include other needs of internally displaced persons between November 2022 & 2020.