My 16 and 18-year-old kids like to tease me about my childhood and teen years, because it is so vastly different than their upbringing. Every now and then, I will reveal something that will make them exclaim “wow, you were poor.” Those memories are funny now, but they were not then. I recall being a broke college student working a part-time job and spending an afternoon searching for enough soda cans and beer bottles to collect a dollar in nickel deposits. I just needed enough money to buy a cheap box of maxi pads from the 99-cents store, because I wasn’t getting paid for another two days. Luckily, I only had to do that once but that’s not the reality for so many menstruators today.
Period poverty consists of three components: lack of proper education about menstruation; lack of access to private and clean facilities to perform menstrual hygiene; and finally, the inability to buy period protection products. Brooklyn Public Library’s Cycle Alliance is a Teen Period Advocacy Group dedicated to fighting period poverty and removing the stigma of talking about periods. This year we are hosting our annual Pink Moon Celebration with a month-long period protection donation drive from March 14-April 5, 2023. On Friday, April 7, there will be Period Product Distribution and Teen DIY Arts & Crafts Hour from 4:00-5:00 PM.
Visit the Central Library’s Youth Wing all month to donate. We are accepting donations of:
- New and wrapped re-usable period underwear
- New and wrapped menstrual cups
- New/unopened boxes of maxi pads and tampons
- Lose, individually wrapped tampons and maxi pads
- Disposable period panties
The Cycle Alliance has also teamed up with the library’s biggest free Teen Party, Urban Art Jamm! Attendees to the April 22nd event are encouraged to donate period products to support our period pantry.
Upcoming Events
Button Making - Pronouns
Make your own custom 2.5" buttons for your backpack or bag.
We'll have blank buttons for you to design and decorate, and pronoun buttons that you can color.
All ages are welcomed!
This program will take place on the main floor
Bee Hives, Lip Balms, and Honey Tasting for Teens
This event is for teens in high school, ages 13-18. Interested in learning about bees, honey, and hives? Join us alongside Bee U NYC with bee experts and enthusiasts for a live hive demonstration, honey tasting, and lip balm making workshop.
This program will be held in both the…
Game On: Board Games
Play board, card, and tabletop games at Dyker Library! Come grab one from the information desk and bring back all pieces in their box when you're done.
You must leave a library card to get a game. Cards will be returned upon return of the game.
Arts and Crafts Circle
A casual, bi-weekly arts and crafts meet-up for adults. Join us to work on projects, trade skills, and socialize with other makers!
Bring your own materials and enjoy the practice of making with others. Some supplies will be provided if you don’t have a project to work on.
This…
Teen Time
Teen Time: Come to the Ulmer Park Library to hang out.
Join us for a fun afternoon of games with your friends and make new friends. Snacks will be provided.
Teen Study Time!!
Teens!
Need a quiet place to study!
Look no further have we got the place for you!
Come and study at the Bedford Teen Study Hour!
See you there!
Teen Fun Time: Games, Conversations & Good Vibes
Join us at the library to play UNO, Bingo, Jenga, and more. Connect with friends, meet new people, and enjoy relaxed conversations about sports, fashion, and current trends. A welcoming space to unwind, socialize, and have fun.
Ages 13 - 18
Free Snacks will be provided!
Kids Create
Come make something with us at Arlington Library. Designed for ages 6-12.
Staff notes: Any art or craft program for ages 6-12. Add the activity, if you know it, after a colon.
Example: Kids Create: Origami; Kids Create: Collage
Teen Chess Club
Learn or practice chess with Coach Bah! Players of all levels are welcome. Bring your friends!
Coach Bah is a National Chess Master with over 8 years of experience teaching and coaching students in public schools, private schools, after-school programs, and community…
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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