New program aims to support homeless in the San Gabriel Valley

Monday, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) announced a new targeted donation drives across the San Gabriel Valley with the aim of supporting individuals experiencing homelessness by collecting essential items to help them meet their basic needs.

Village 143, as the program is called, will kick off its inaugural donation drive by gathering feminine hygiene products for unhoused women and teenage girls. Unhoused women often lack access to vital feminine hygiene products. A recent study showed that two in five individuals struggled to afford period products last year, disproportionately impacting African American and Latina women who both reported difficulties paying for these products. In an effort to address this need, the SGVCOG is taking donations to create “Positive Period Packs,” which contain pads, tampons, and other sanitary items to distribute. Items can be donated through Village 143’s Amazon wish list: tinyurl.com/positiveperiodpacks.

“People experiencing homelessness face many challenges in accessing basic items that we all need for our daily lives,” said Marisa Creter, executive director of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. “Women in particular face unique challenges in having access to feminine hygiene products, which can be extremely expensive. The goal of the Positive Period Packs and Village 143 as a whole is to mobilize our communities and provide people with actionable ways to support our unhoused neighbors by collecting and distributing critical basic items.”

Those interested in assembling kits or partnering can contact vurenia@sgvcog.org.

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