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!

Fri, Jul 25 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…

Free Sew Hours

Fri, Jul 25 11:00am
Borough Park Library, Children's Room

adult learning DIY Sew Brooklyn

Completed the Sewing Machine Workshop and want to start your projects up? Come to this self-guided program to get access to a sewing machine for free! Space limited to 2 patrons per session, limited to one sign-up a month. Sign-up at the desk or by calling (718) 437-4085

Must have…

Perspectives: A photography class presented by Extreme Kids & Crew

Fri, Jul 25 3:00pm
Brower Park Library, Community Room 1

learning disabilities teen time

In this program, teens will have the opportunity to engage in visual conversations related to identity, community, and social justice through the art of photography. Participants will learn about documentary photography and the history of photography in social justice to develop a better…

Teen Tech Time

Fri, Jul 25 3:00pm
Bedford Library

techknowledge teen tech time teen time

Do you want to explore new and old games?  No time to make new friends?  Join us at our Teen Tech Time program where you can play various games in a friendly, competitive environment, or just hang out. 

 

 

Teen Time

Fri, Jul 25 3:30pm
Spring Creek, Meeting Room

after school table-top & board games teen time

DIY Fuse Bead Keychains

Fri, Jul 25 3:30pm
Flatbush, Large Meeting Room

arts and crafts teen time

Teens ages 11–18 are invited to get crafty and design their own unique keychains using colorful fuse beads! Create pixel art inspired by your favorite characters, symbols, or original designs, then turn them into fun…

Teen Time: Video Games

Fri, Jul 25 4:00pm
Clinton Hill, Meeting Room

gaming for teens teen time video games

Come play video games at the library! We've got a PS4, a Switch, and a Wii, or you can just come and hangout! 

Teen Studying & DIY Hangout

Fri, Jul 25 4:00pm
Clarendon, Meeting Room

arts and crafts teen time

A space for teens to study, craft (we make buttons, zines, collages, vision boards, bead jewelry, knit, crochet), and hangout with snacks. For ages 12-17. 

Teen Keyboarding

Fri, Jul 25 4:00pm
Brownsville Library

music teen tech time teen time

Curious about keyboarding? Come learn how to play at the library! We'll set you up with easy-to-follow online video lessons, so you can learn at your own pace.

We provide the keyboard, digital device, and headphones. You bring your can-do attitude and you'll be playing in no time!

Lo-fi Hip-hop Study Hall

Fri, Jul 25 4:00pm
Flatlands Library

teen tech time teen time

Come in and chill out for an hour. Get creative, play some games, read a book to some sick tunes. We meet every Friday. Snacks provided.

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 

Pantry Wishlist

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 

Pantry Wishlist

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 

Pantry Wishlist

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