How WU! got connected

Executive Director of Women Unite!, Liz Jansen, heard about the Chicago Period Project (CPP) through Instagram. She loved their mission and reached out to set up a conversation with CPP’s Founder and President, Ashley Novoa. During the meeting, Liz and Ashley discussed working together, and, after Liz met with the CPP board, Women Unite! took on a series of communications, fundraising, design, and training projects.

About Chicago Period Project

Chicago Period Project is a community based organization whose mission is to help every menstruating person in Chicago have access to the menstruation supplies they need. The feminist, grassroots organization distributes pads, tampons, underwear, and other critical supplies to local shelters, schools, and crisis support networks.

Who They Serve

More than 29% of Chicago residents living below the poverty line don’t have reliable access to menstruating hygiene products, which cost roughly $1,700 for a period lifetime. For many, this figure doesn’t feel considerable. But for those who are struggling to afford housing, food, and other basic necessities, that amount of money is completely out of reach. With the belief there should be no period left behind, CPP empowers homeless and in-need people to experience their periods with dignity.

The Organization’s Need

Started in 2016, CPP’s small but mighty staff needed fundraising, communications, and facilitation services. The organization worked closely with Women Unite! to develop a monthly giving circle to provide a consistent stream of funds for menstruating women, which required creating a strategy; writing website, email, and social media copy; and designing graphics and collateral in support of the giving circle. Additionally, they needed assistance ensuring organizational alignment, creating a shared vision, and identifying actionable goals during their board retreat.

Women Unite!’s Impact

Chicago Period Project and Women Unite! collaborated to implement the communication strategy, with WU! staff devising the theme, copy, and design elements of the monthly giving circle, The Cycle. In January 2020, Co-Founder + Director of Training and Development Sterling Haukom Anderson facilitated the organization’s board retreat where Ashley and the board discussed how to recruit new board members, develop an elevator pitch to share with stakeholders, and strategies for working together in the coming year to achieve their organizational objectives.

Women Unite!’s Impact

Chicago Period Project and Women Unite! collaborated to implement the communication strategy, with WU! staff devising the theme, copy, and design elements of the monthly giving circle, The Cycle. In January 2020, Co-Founder + Director of Training and Development Sterling Haukom Anderson facilitated the organization’s board retreat where Ashley and the board discussed how to recruit new board members, develop an elevator pitch to share with stakeholders, and strategies for working together in the coming year to achieve their organizational objectives.