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, Jul 28 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

Mon, Jul 28 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…

Board Games @ The Library

Mon, Jul 28 2:00pm
Stone Avenue Library

table-top & board games teen time

Play old classics like Uno, Chess, Jenga and Connect 4,

or 

try something new like Loopin' Louie, Love Letter, or Exploding Kittens!

Teen Tech Time

Mon, Jul 28 3:00pm
Arlington Library, Program Room

gaming for teens techknowledge teen tech time

Do you consider yourself a gamer? 

Are you passionate about the virtual worlds?

Come join us in the wonderful world of video games at the Arlington Library Branch!! Make new friends, create new rivals and have fun in the process!!

Choose your preference between X Box,…

Teen Lego

Mon, Jul 28 3:15pm
Dyker Library, Auditorium

Build with Lego summer reading teen time

Hang out in the Dyker meeting room and build with lego!

Board Game Cafe

Mon, Jul 28 4:00pm
Brownsville Library, Meeting Room

after school board game exchange library kids

Welcome to our Board Game Cafe!

Bring a friend or make a new one! We'll have board games, card games, and table-top games for beginners and experienced players. Play our games or bring your own. Spend an hour playing games with peers and enjoying a snack.

While you're here, check out…

Teen Karaoke

Mon, Jul 28 4:20pm
Dyker Library, Auditorium

karaoke music summer reading

Sing your heart out to classic songs and favorite hits.

The Cycle Alliance's Period Pantry at Brooklyn Heights!

Tue, Jul 29 1:00pm
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…

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