As a student and young woman in the workforce, Sussanne Skidmore never had to choose between buying food or menstrual products. Too many others aren鈥檛 so lucky, says the co-chair of the Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross.
鈥淚 was fortunate enough that I could always get by, but then I started hearing the stories, and the impact of not being able to go to work or school or participate in society, and the isolation that can come with that,鈥� says Skidmore, dedicated volunteer and Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour.
United Way鈥檚 campaign, taking place March 3 to 31, mobilizes local citizens to improve access to menstruation products 鈥� products that while a basic necessity, can be challenging to access for those living in poverty or who are vulnerable in other ways. It鈥檚 these kinds of grassroots, citizen-driven initiatives the is keen to expand as it celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Skidmore and the Period Promise team are excited to build on last year鈥檚 momentum for another record-breaking year of collections and conversations.
鈥淧eriod Promise has evolved from being primarily a donation and collection program 鈥� which is still very much part of the program 鈥� into looking at how we can push public policy to achieve real change and break down stigma,鈥� says Skidmore, whose partnerships in the Labour movement have further mobilized both donations and increased awareness.
Rob Chiarello, Senior VP of People and Culture at Pacific Blue Cross, says that when United Way raised the issue of period poverty, supporting Period Promise was an easy decision for Pacific Blue Cross.
鈥淲hen I realized there were people in vulnerable communities that actually had to choose between paying their bills or putting food on the table and personal hygiene products, I was alarmed. Making it worse, I鈥檝e been in the health benefits business for 20 years and to realize that this issue also translates to people missing work or school, it鈥檚 just not right,鈥� Chiarello says. 鈥淪o, as an executive team, it was very easy for us to support the campaign. We are so proud to be the presenting sponsor of Period Promise; something that has been so overlooked for so long. Such a small thing can be so huge to the individuals affected.鈥�
Responding to local issues, neighbourhood by neighbourhood
These kinds of community-led, United Way-supported projects are under way across the Lower Mainland, from Surrey and Delta to the Fraser Valley.
Zahra Esmail, Executive Director of the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, is excited to see the evolution and impact of this innovative approach.
Through its Hi Neighbour initiative in the Sunset area of Vancouver, United Way has gotten to know this vibrant and interesting, but somewhat disconnected neighbourhood 鈥� learning how residents might want to tackle important challenges such as social isolation.
鈥淯nited Way has been on the ground with us, really listening and hearing what people are saying. It鈥檚 really been stepping back and listening with open ears,鈥� Esmail says.
Beyond immediate local needs, the impact of these innovative partnerships is long-reaching.
Last month, the neighbourhood house began hosting a United Way-supported community leadership workshop to help local residents improve their organizing skills, supporting a new generation of engaged community champions.
Residents are also discussing a new after-school program, a community kitchen and a family drop-in 鈥� ways to keep families, and community, connected, Esmail says.
鈥淚t really is about citizens mobilizing to build their own neighbourhood, and supporting people to lead in their own community.鈥�
To learn more about Hi Neighbour, visit today. To join United Way鈥檚 Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross and taking place March 3 to 31, go to for a complete campaign toolkit.
