![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
Silver Creek High School girls are coming together to support one another. As part of their Silver Creek Leadership Academy (SCLA) Capstone project, Amber Guttridge and Rebecca Chirinos have teamed up to ensure that all women have access to free menstrual products through their project For the Girls.
Guttridge and Chirinos took over this project from previous members of SCLA because they feel very passionate about this topic.
“I think [this project] really provides comfort, reassurance, confidence, and empowerment in any setting where you are and that’s why we chose to take it over,” explains Chirinos.
Guttridge shared that when girls don’t have access to products, their attendance can be negatively impacted. When girls do have access to the supplies they need, they can stay in school, and focus on their learning.
When supplies are provided, the need to stress about not having adequate products is relieved.
In beginning this project and researching the first steps, Chirinos and Guttridge learned that a new law was recently passed in Colorado that requires schools to provide a minimum of 25% of these products for free. Because of the background information provided by the law, this kicked off a great enthusiasm for their project.
They are working with school administrators and janitors to secure free products in all of
the women’s bathrooms. Chirinos and Guttridge stated that period poverty can be a barrier to having these products, both in our school and in our community. In order to make sure that women in our local community have menstrual products, they are also partnering with the Our Center and St. Vrain Safe Shelter.
Guttridge explained that they are planning “donation events [which are events] dedicated to getting donations of pads, tampons, liners, bras, and underwear so they can keep the bathrooms stocked and get donations to Safe Shelter and Our Center.”
Although this project started within SCLA, it extends far beyond the requirement for their Capstone. Both Chirinos and Guttridge are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of women in our school.
Chirinos explains, “this will definitely bring us closer together as women and also bring awareness to other people who don’t menstruate to understand how important this is and the need for it in our community.”
If you are interested in donating or learning more, you can find For the Girls on Instagram.
