The Jewish Federation of Louisville is proud of its long history of Women’s Philanthropy and having relevant and exciting programming dedicated to women’s issues.
We are very excited to offer Dignity Grows™ in Louisville. Dignity Grows™ provides monthly personal and menstrual hygiene products to women, girls and individuals assigned female at birth, who cannot afford them. Founded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Women’s Philanthropy, Dignity Grows™ embodies the Jewish values of Tzedakah (righteousness) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). We raise funds to support this cause and host packing parties to assemble the totes that contain these needed supplies. For more information, please contact Lee Anne Alsup, Senior Manager, Volunteer Engagement Philanthropy, at laslup@jewishlouisville.org.
Dignity Grows™ provides monthly personal and feminine products to women, girls and individuals assigned female at birth, who cannot afford them. Started in 2019 by volunteers in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut community, Dignity Grows™ remains committed to the founders’ values of chesed, tzedakah and tikkun olam.
Dignity Grows™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that empowers our neighbors in need by removing obstacles to improved self-esteem and health through the security and comfort of having personal and feminine hygiene essentials each and every month. Working with distribution partners throughout local communities, Dignity Grows organizes, assembles and distributes free of charge, discreet Dignity Grows Totes filled with a month’s supply of personal and menstrual hygiene products. In October 2020 Dignity Grows launched as a national initiative and currently boasts over twenty chapters.
Dignity Grows™ Addresses Unmet Needs
One in five American women cannot afford monthly menstrual and comprehensive hygiene supplies. This lack of supplies creates barriers to education, employment and social and religious connections. Feeling shame, some girls stay home from school during their periods, impacting learning, while women miss work, often losing a few days’ wages and further compounding the cycle of poverty. Government benefits such as SNAP and WIC do not cover these necessities and they are rarely donated to food pantries for distribution. When purchased, they are often subject to sales tax.
Each Dignity Grows™ Tote contains a month’s supply of sanitary pads and pantiliners, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a bar of soap, deodorant, shampoo and hand wipes, all packed in branded, reusable zipper-top totes. Reacting to the needs of our distribution partners, we recently created men’s Dignity Grows™ Totes with disposable razors and shaving cream.
Dignity Grows™ Empowers Individuals To Experience Life Without Interruption
Each Dignity Grows™ was initially conceived as a hands-on way to engage local women and improve the lives of our neighbors in need. After learning of the barriers experienced due to lack of menstrual supplies and toiletries, volunteers through the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford Women’s Philanthropy convened to address the issue. The initiative grew from a one-time local project with a single Distribution Partner agency into a thriving supporter of the Hartford community’s social safety net with over two dozen diverse distribution partners. Our volunteer-fueled successes quickly grew far beyond the Hartford area. Active chapters are now addressing hygiene needs in cities across the country, with new communities joining each day.