Our Mission
To provide women who are homeless, living in impoverished conditions, and in transition with menstrual hygiene products.
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Our Mission
Her Padded Truth® believes that every young girl and woman should have access to proper menstrual hygiene products, which are affordable, safe, and readily available regardless of their financial situation. We seek to educate young ladies and women on the fundamentals of proper feminine hygiene and help support those who are underprivileged with sanitary pads, tampons, and other items. Our organization is dedicated to raising awareness about menstrual healthcare so that women don’t have to feel ashamed about something that is a normal part of their lives.
Our Impact
Some young girls and women have to go as far as using old socks, rags, and even newspaper to catch their "flow". These unhealthy practices can lead to infection and worse death!
Her Padded Truth® is a nonprofit organization that provides feminine hygiene products to young girls and women who are homeless, living in impoverished conditions, and in transition.
To date we have donated over 3,000 menstrual hygiene products to girls and women in need in the downtown Newport News and surrounding 757 area.
11+
The Average Age of Homelessness
The average age of homelessness in our country is 11 years old! According to a 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, about 567,715 people experienced homelessness in the United States. In 2020 the state of Virginia reported 7.7 of every 10,000 people were experiencing homelessness.
12+
The Average Age of Menstruation
The average age of menstruation is around 12 years of age, but can vary across ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and race. Unhealthy eating habits and obesity have also contributed to early menarche in young girls.
53+
Homeless Women
According to the 2017 Annual Homelessness Assessment report, 53.5% of the homeless population are women. With the average age being 24.
Our Programs
Her Padded Youth is a school age program in Virginia that’s geared toward educating girls and boys of elementary and middle school age on proper menstrual hygiene. Our goal is to bring awareness to menstruation matters and breaking social taboos and stigmas that surround a girl’s period.
Increase Self Awareness
Educating and informing adolescents on the importance of awareness through empathy, elimination of social stigmas and norms.
Demystifying Taboos
Demystifying taboos that women can't wear white, swim during their time the month, or cook spaghetti just to name a few.
Menstrual Health
Educating adolescents on the process of menstruation and what it means for the female.
Increase Self-Esteem
Increasing self-esteem through vision aids and visions boards.
MEDIA & PRESS
“Her Padded Truth® is devoted to getting menstrual products to homeless women and educating youth on the importance of feminine hygiene and menstrual health.”
- Business Building Women, August 2018
A local organization devoted to helping homeless women on Coast Live
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - After a heart-breaking encounter with a woman in need, Dr. Charlene Rainey-Bell decided to start the organization Her Padded Truth to provide feminine hygiene products to women and girls who are homeless or living in impoverished conditions. Today she joins us to tell her story and raise awareness about homeless women in Hampton Roads who go without the proper hygiene products. For more information on how you can help visit www.herpaddedtruth.org.
"Her Padded Truth®, is helping to bring awareness to the plight of homelessness among menstruating women in our area. To know that homeless women have to use newspaper, old rags, socks, or even just bleed on themselves is disheartening and should never happen!"
- Shamirah Rhodes Webb, Former Executive Director of the Peninsula YWCA
Get Involved
Tampons, pads, and other menstrual hygiene products are a necessity for young girls and women. However, for many ladies, they don’t have access to such basic and vital items. You can help make a difference. See below how!
Sign Up For a Program
If you have a child ages 9-14 who you would like to be apart of the Her Padded Youth program sign up today.
Be Apart of the Movement
Start a menstrual movement drive to help undeserved women in your area. Campaign, collect, and distribute to a local church, shelter, school, or the even Her Padded Truth headquarters. Make that time of the month FUN and a gift to someone in need!
Make a Donation
According to the Department of Housing and Urban labor, in 2016 there was approximately 564,708 people experiencing homelessness in the United States! A large portion of the number are women of menstruating age. Please donate so we can put an end to menstrual shaming and health disparities among homeless women.