THE PINK DRIVE
It’s that time again! The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund’s GIRLS NOLA Initiative has plans to host its 3rd Annual Pink Drive.
Girls Initiative for Reproducing Leaders in Society (GIRLS NOLA) is a girls’ mentorship and empowerment program, which utilizes integrative arts and gamification techniques to educate young women and girls about their Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR). This program has been designed to address pressing issues that young women in urban communities face; such as leading HIV and STD rates, teen pregnancy, violence and reproductive health disparities. GIRLS NOLA is a two-track initiative that is free to youth and families. Track 1 is an 11-module curriculum that offers youth the knowledge and skills that will enable them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their bodies and overall health. Track 2 is a mentorship program, which consist of monthly teambuilding and therapeutic group activities, career and college readiness, youth advocacy services and mentorship.
The Pink Drive is an annual community initiative hosted by the participants of GIRLS NOLA’s Mentorship Program. This drive consist of collecting feminine hygiene donations and packaging personal hygiene and self-care kits that will be distributed to young women and girls across the City of New Orleans. The items collected should include, but is not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, underwear, cozy socks, stress balls and sensory fidgets.
We are pleased to have the continued support and partnership of Mayor Latoya Cantrell and the Office of Youth and Families, Councilwoman Lesli Harris, Touro Hospital’s Family Birthing Center and the Geaux Girl Giving Collective. Donated items can be dropped off to the 1st floor lobby of New Orleans’ City Hall or to Touro Hospital’s Family Birthing Center. Monetary donations can be made via our website, www.dsefnola.org.
-Nakita A. Shavers