Sylvia's Sisters

End Period Poverty

News & Events

Needed: Skilled Volunteers

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Sylvia’s Sisters is largely volunteer-run. In fact, thanks to our amazing team of volunteers, we are able to make a huge impact with no full-time staff.

Are you looking to donate your time and talents to a worthy cause? We’re looking to fill a few skills-based volunteers spots. These positions require experience in certain industries. We do great work in our community, we have fun doing it–and we’d love for you to join our team for as long or as little as you’re able.

Graphic Designer (Ongoing)

We’re seeking a creative, passionate volunteer graphic designer (we’re expecting this commitment to be about 10 hours/month). You will help us communicate our mission and impact through visually compelling materials, including PowerPoint presentations, brochures, and social media content. The ideal candidate is someone who is experienced with Canva and Google Suite.
→ Job Description [PDF] | CFEngage Job Posting

Development Professional

Sylvia’s Sisters is seeking a passionate and experienced Development Professional to lead and “own” our fundraising efforts. This individual will provide strategic development consulting services to support the growth of the organization’s financial resources, ensuring we can continue to expand our reach and impact. The ideal candidate will have experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and development strategy.
→ Job Description [PDF] | CFEngage Job Posting

We Need Your Help: Reusable Pads for Central American Communities

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Sylvia’s Sisters is expanding our international outreach! We are partnering with Extra Mile Pediatrics, an incredible Richmond-based organization that provides repeated pediatric care in Central America, to provide reusable menstrual products to communities that need them.

LATEST FUNDRAISER PROGRESS:

2000
762

It may take a little time for the progress bar to reflect new donations.

DONATE TODAY!

Just $10 provides a full year’s supply of pads to a girl in need.

Create your own Facebook fundraiser for our cause here.

The Problem

Extra Mile Pediatrics Clinic in Guatemala

Extra Mile Pediatrics noticed that menstrual healthcare was lacking in the communities in El Salvador and Guatemala that they serve; for example, at least one teen patient couldn’t attend her medical appointment because she was menstruating and didn’t have period products.

In fact, in the El Salvadorian communities:

  • 62% report getting no menstrual health education
  • 72% report having trouble accessing products at least sometimes.  63% report as always having trouble.
  • 74% say they’ve used other materials like a sock or paper towel
  • 47% report missing school/work/other obligations, and 63% of those report missing at least 3 days/month

The Solution

Sylvia’s Sisters has extensive experience providing reusable pads to international communities in need, thanks to our work over the last 10 years in Uganda. We sent some reusable pads & underwear with Extra Mile Pediatrics in January as a pilot program. The products were very well received!

An Extra Mile Pediatrics clinician explaining the proper care of period underwear to a patient

Sylvia’s Sisters and Extra Mile Pediatrics have assembled a team of experienced seamstresses in Virginia to sew reusable pad kits for these Central American communities. Our intention is, not only to provide necessary products for menstruators to live their normal lives, but also to teach seamstresses in these communities how to make the products by next year so they have access locally.

What We Need

The fabrics to create these pads are anti-microbial and must be ordered from specialty shops (read: expensive). It is imperative to have these materials to prevent infection, especially in humid climates.

Sylvia’s Sisters volunteer Laura Davidson sewing a reusable pad.

Goals

  • Provide over 1000 pads over the course of 3 trips to these Central American communities
  • Provide a wet bag to each menstruator to store their soiled pads

We need to raise $2000 to make this possible. This is where you come in! Please consider donating to our project. Even $10 will provide a full-year’s supply of pads to a girl in need.

We also need experienced sewers who can help us make the pads, and other volunteers to help us cut the pad patterns. Please email information@sylviassisters.org if you are able to help!

DONATE

Assemble Your Period-Poverty Fighting Trivia Team!

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Gather your smartest friends, family and colleagues and join us for a fundraiser to help end period poverty in our community.

Date? Wednesday, April 17th
Time? Doors open at 5:30 PM and trivia kicks off at 6:30 PM. 
Where? Hardywood Richmond, 2410 Ownby Lane
Cost? Playing trivia costs $25; hanging out is free!  
Eats? Pizza and beer will be for sale by Hardywood. 
Why? All proceeds will support menstruators affected by period inequity. One trivia ticket will keep EIGHT girls in school that month!

REGISTER TODAY

And be sure to follow this event on Facebook!

Period Product Kit Packing Parties!

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Please join Sylvia’s Sisters in celebrating the MLK National Day of Service at one of our kit-packing parties! 

BON AIR KIT PACKING PARTY
Where? Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W Huguenot Rd, Richmond, VA 23235
When? Sunday, January 14, 12:15-1:45

ReGISTER FOR THE BON AIR EVENT


HANOVER KIT PACKING PARTY
Where? First Union Baptist Church, 6231 Pole Green Rd, Mechanicsville, Virginia
When? Monday, January 15, 1-2:30pm
Many thanks to the Hanover County NAACP for hosting this event.

REGISTER FOR THE HANOVER EVENT

The National Day of Service is an opportunity to come together to honor King’s dream of making our world more equitable. Sylvia’s Sisters fights period poverty—the inability to afford or access menstrual products—by providing period product kits to schools and organizations in Central Virginia. These kits contain enough pads, tampons and liners to last one menstruator one month. At each party, we’ll have stations set up at which volunteers can pack kits with products. All supplies will be provided; just bring yourself!

All are welcome—seasoned volunteers or those who have never heard of our organization. Bring friends and family! Children and teens are welcome. Our staff is happy to sign off on volunteer hours.

Snacks and drinks provided.