Cycle Alliance in Every REgion (CARE)

A Menstrual Equity Program for Teens

The Cycle Alliance Is a Gender-Inclusive Period Advocacy Program

The Cycle Alliance is a menstrual equity initiative geared towards teens that aims to destigmatize and de-gender conversations about menstruation; combat period poverty; and empower teens to advocate for social causes. Teens will participate in programs where they will learn how to advocate for menstrual equity; identify misinformation; and express their creativity through writing, drawing, or developing videos for the library’s teen blog and social media accounts.


Cycle Alliance Values: 
  • Menstrual equity is for for all who menstruate. 
  • Periods are a natural and biological event that are not shameful.
  • Menstruators should have access to free or low-cost menstrual hygiene products. 
  • New York prisons, shelters, public middle and high schools should provide free period products.  
  • A mandatory, accurate, and up-to-date sex ed curriculum in schools that destigmatizes menstruation. 
  • Avoiding superstitious, offensive or hurtful language when talking about periods.  
  • To teach people who “just don’t get it" by using facts.
  • Accepting that menstruation begins in childhood, and shouldn't be associated with becoming an adult or the ability to have babies because that unintentionally sexualizes a child who is neither physically nor emotionally ready to think about sexual relationships or parenthood. 

 
Resources:

BKLYN Incubator is supported by generous funding provided by The Charles H. Revson Foundation and Robin K. and Jay L. Lewis.

Upcoming Events

The Cycle Alliance's Period Pantry at Brooklyn Heights!

Mon, Jun 30 10:00am
Brooklyn Heights Library, Gaming Room

Cycle Alliance health and wellness mental health

If you are are a Teen in between the ages of 13 and 18, take a look at our period pantry located in the Game Room or ask someone at the front desk.

Our period pantry is in alliance with ‘Cycle Alliance’ here at Brooklyn Public Library. 

Our pantry contains pads, tampons and both…

Teen Grab & Go

Mon, Jun 30 2:00pm
Brownsville Library

arts and crafts DIY grab and go kits

Stop by the Brownsville Library to pick up a fun grab & go activity kit.

Supplies and instructions included. Available until supplies last.

Bedford Teen Study Time

Mon, Jun 30 3:00pm
Bedford Library, Quiet Room

teen time

Hello Teens:

What a quiet place to do homework or study? Come to the Bedford Branch and join our Teen Study Time!

An hour to do your work, hope to see you there!!

Teen Time: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Mon, Jun 30 4:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library

banned books book club book discussion

Join us for a conversation about the classic allegorical novel about ANOTHER (sadly) relevant dystopian novel, Animal Farm by George Orwell.  Learn about the today's increasing censorship and what you can do about it.  No need to have read the book!  We will discuss the plot and…

Break it Down ... Build it Up

Tue, Jul 1 1:00pm
Canarsie Library

Block Party community partner grab and go kits

Celebrate a new chapter for the Canarsie Library as we prepare to close our branch later this summer so that we can return with a two-floor, brand-new building. Listen to music, get free STD testing, Dance with Bubbles the Clown, craft, play games, eat snacks, learn about our community partners…

(KH) Best Buy Teen Tech Center

Tue, Jul 1 2:00pm
Kings Highway Library

arts and crafts techknowledge teen time

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is a welcome space for teens who want to engage with New Generation Technology

Teen Time: Game On!

Tue, Jul 1 2:00pm
Ulmer Park Library

gaming for teens teen time video games

Teen Time: Come to the Ulmer Park Library to hang out.  

Join us weekly for game time in our meeting room. Play video games, board games, cards, etc. with your peers in friendly competition. Snacks will be available while supplies last.

Ages 12-18

Teen Time

Tue, Jul 1 3:00pm
Dekalb, Technology Room

teen time

Teen Time: Come to the DeKalb Library to hang out!

Bedford Teen Study Time

Tue, Jul 1 3:00pm
Bedford Library, Quiet Room

teen time

Hello Teens:

What a quiet place to do homework or study? Come to the Bedford Branch and join our Teen Study Time!

An hour to do your work, hope to see you there!!

The Library Has You Covered!

The Cycle Alliance in Every Region (CARE) is a Brooklyn Public Library initiative to establish period and personal care pantries across our system to help menstruators in need. Currently, 15 branches have established a period pantry. Each branch listed below are now accepting in-kind donations of maxi pads, tampons, unopened menstrual cups, and unopened reusable period underwear. Open boxes of tampons and maxi pads will be accepted if the products inside are individually wrapped and sealed. 

CARE Branches

Bay Ridge 

7223 Ridge Blvd. | 11209 | 718.748.5709 

Bedford 

96 Franklin Ave. | 11238 | 718.623.0012 

Brighton Beach 

6 Brighton First Rd. | 11235 | 718.946.2917 

Brooklyn Heights 

286 Cadman Plaza West | 11201 | 718.623.7100 

Canarsie 

1580 Rockaway Pkwy. | 11236 | 718.257.6547 

Clarendon 

2035 Nostrand Ave. | 11210 | 718.421.1159 

Flatbush 

22 Linden Blvd. | 11226 | 718.856.081 

Greenpoint 

107 Norman Ave. | 11222 | 718.389.4394 

Kings Bay 

3650 Nostrand Ave. | 11229 | 718.368.1709 

Macon 

361 Lewis Ave. | 11233 | 718.573.5606 

Midwood 

975 East 16th St. | 11230 | 718.252.0967 

Rugby 

1000 Utica Ave. | 11203 | 718.566.0053 

Saratoga 

Thomas S. Boyland St. | 11233 | 718.573.5224 

Sunset Park 

5108 Fourth Ave. | 11220 | 718.230.2255 

Central Library Youth Wing 

10 Grand Army Plaza | 11238 | 718.230.2100 


Menstrual Hygiene Day 

Menstrual Hygiene Day is on May 28 and is an international advocacy day. Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy campaign “that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual  management (MHM) for all women and girls.” Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.

Period Action Day (PAD):

Period Action Day is on October 11 2025. PERIOD ACTION DAY (PAD) was started in 2019 by PERIOD, and originally named National Period Day. In 2020, it was renamed to Period Action Day and now serves as a global day of advocacy to celebrate the impact of youth activists in the menstrual equity movement and propel the movement forward with calls to action for everyone. #periodactionday