Operation Pretty Things has designed The Locker Box Initiative to partner with middle schools, providing self-care essentials, as well as awareness and resource information to young pubescent female students ages 11-14, who are experiencing personal, physical, and relational development.
The Heart Being the Initiative
Our mission is to love and empower victims of abuse and sexual assault. This initiative allows us to offer and extend tangible care to young female adolescents who are in a developmental stage of physical and emotional change. Due to an increase in youth and teen violence, this project aligns our mission with the crucial need for more awareness, understanding, and support. In keeping with that purpose, we are providing high school students the opportunity to serve middle school students, which covers two critical components of OPT’s heart and goal for this project…to love and encourage the youth in our community, and to teach the importance of serving those in need through volunteer opportunities.
Adolescence is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations for self care practices and healthy relationships. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth during this time of change. This is a sensitive time for young females who are beginning their menstrual cycle. Recent studies have shown that by age 12, 62% of blacks females and 35% of white females have started menstruation. There is not a specific date and age for which this occurs. Because of this, many prepubescent girls begin their cycle unprepared.
During this season of change, dating relationships begin to develop. It has been noted that by the age of 15, approximately 27% of dating pre-teens and teenagers have experienced sexual violence. That percentage increases significantly for emotional, and/or verbal violence, as well as cyber stalking and other forms of harassment.
Teens often believe behaviors, such as teasing and name-calling, are a “normal” part of a relationship. These behaviors can become abusive and develop into serious forms of violence. Female students experience higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence than male students. Sadly, many do not report unhealthy behaviors because they are afraid to tell their family and friends.
THe Solution
In the fall of 2023, Operation Pretty Things will partner with middle schools, providing them with boxes containing essential hygiene and self care products for adolescent female students, ages 11-14.
In addition to hygiene and self care products, each box contains a “Red Flags Card.” This small note card lists some of the “red flags” (signs of abuse) to help students identify unhealthy relationship behaviors. These cards will provide information to help students find safe resources if they are experiencing any of abusive behaviors.
The Locker Box
Female adolescent students will receive a small hygiene/care kit in a decorative canvas pouch, consisting of:
Sanitary napkins and hygiene wipes
Mini deororant
Lip balm
Hand lotion
Pocket-sized notebook and glitter gel pen (various colors)
Panties (varying sizes)
A *Red Flags Card
The Red Flags Card is a small note card that lists eleven “red flags” (signs of abuse) to help students identify unhealthy relationship behaviors. On the back of each card is a QR code providing them with resource information to find help and safety if they are experiencing any abusive behaviors.The Red Flags Card
Teen Volunteers
The Locker Boxes containing self care and hygiene essentials will be assembled primarily by teen volunteers, ages 15-18. This project is being offered to high school aged students as a volunteer opportunity and service project. The project will be supervised by the school’s faculty representative, along with an OPT staff member, to ensure quality and consistency of each box.
We aim to create a safe environment for:
Awareness of teen violence, and the dangerous impact it has on ones life, and the lives of others.
Participation in a project that allows high school teens to serve younger students
An opportunity to assemble the boxes in an organized and thoughtful manner