TABLE OF CONTENTS
OBJECTIVE
The Heart Behind the Initiative
“Are You Listening”
Solution
The Locker Box
The Red Flags Card
Who will receive Locker Boxes?
goals
Teen Volunteers
How will Effectiveness be Measured?
How will the goals be attained?
Distribution & Assessment
The Process
Proposed BUDGET
The OBJECTIVE
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 behind 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.
*Special thanks to New Hanover County High School, and the students who gave their time and talents with the hope of ending the cycle of teen violence.
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 (6”x6”) black box, that fits neatly in the bottom of a locker. Each box contains:
*The Organic Period 2 GO Kit containing sanitary and hygiene products
Panties (various sizes available)
Lip balm
Deodorant
Hand lotion
“Red Flags Card”
The following is a sample of what will be in each box:
* The Organic Period 2 GO Kit is a product of Be Prepared. Period. Go to www.bepreparedperiod.com for more info.
NOTE: Brands and products may vary, and are subject to change.
The Red Flags Card
Who will receive Locker Boxes?
This program is being offered to female middle school students. We will firstly offer the boxes to students attending low income/economically challenged schools in New Hanover County.
The Locker Box initiative will be extended to additional schools once the need is met at the initially *determined schools.
This program will offer:
Financial relief - free supplemental hygiene products
For young female students, emotional support during a sensitive developmental season
Awareness and resource information for students experiencing abuse
*Determination of participating schools is based on the US News Education findings and government reporting for New Hanover County schools statistics, rankings and information. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/north-carolina/districts/new-hanover-county-schools-101193
Goals
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
How will the effectiveness of the initiative be measured?
A specified number of boxes (increments of 25) will be given to each school. This number will be determined by the designated faculty and/or staff advisor for this initiative. Feedback received from schools, student recipients, and student volunteers will be charted and reviewed by OPT to ensure the quality of the boxes is sustained, and the process is efficient. Improvements/modifications will be made as needed.
School feedback- School representatives will be asked to provide feedback. Forms will be provided with specific questions to ensure we are serving the appropriate demographic, providing essential items, and helping to reduce unhealthy behaviors associated with abuse.
Student Survey - Students who receive the boxes can visit the OPT website - QR code found on the Red Flags Card - to find resources. They will be encouraged to answer a few questions in a simple survey on the site to help us assess the strengths and weaknesses of the project.
Volunteer Survey - Those who volunteer to assemble the boxes will be given a questionnaire which will provide an opportunity to offer feedback regarding their volunteering experience; as well as thoughts, suggestions, and opinions on the relevance of and need for this initiative.
How will the goals be attained?
Locker Boxes will be distributed to participating schools for the 2023-2024 school year. At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, a minimum goal of 500 boxes will have been distributed to New Hanover County middle schools.
In order to attain this goal, the following is imperative:
Operation Pretty Things will assemble and deliver 500 Locker Boxes to the participating New Hanover County schools on or before classes begin in the fall of 2023.
Operation Pretty Things will maintain open communication with partnering schools, ensuring the supply of needed boxes for students is sustained. (*Availability and supply will be determined by funding and inventory.)
Participating schools must distribute the boxes to students in August 2023/at the beginning of the school year, and continue to distribute the boxes throughout the school year, until schools are dismissed for the summer (May-June 2024 respectively).
Distribution & Assessment
The process
Boxes are assembled by Operation Pretty Thing (OPT) staff and volunteers
OPT will contact the appropriate school personal/faculty - guidance counselors, social worker, designated school nurses, etc.
The school will indicate the number of boxes they will need to effectively serve their students.
OPT will deliver assembled Locker Boxes to the school.
Locker Boxes will be distributed to students at the discretion of the school’s designated staff member.
School representative will be asked to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of this initiative, share observations regarding any necessary changes and modifications to the boxes or process of distribution, as well as any other feedback so as to maintain the highest standard of quality for this project.
OPT will continue to follow up with each school periodically to ensure they have sufficient supply.
Proposed Budget
The budget is based on a projected goal of 1000 Locker Boxes, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a cost of $15/each. To receive a copy of the proposed budget, please email us: operationprettythings@gmail.com, Subject “Locker Box Budget”
NOTE: The Locker Box Initiative's proposed budget is based on:
The projected costs/present market value of each item listed. These values are consistent with the current retail values, but are subject to change at retailer’s discretion.
Brands of products which may vary, and are subject to change, based on availability and value of the item(s).
The projected goal of 500 assembled and distributed Locker Boxes is dependent on the funding of the initiative, and may increase or decrease respectively.
Please contact operationprettythings@gmail.org for additional information.
Operation Pretty Things, Inc. is a charitable non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina, filed/incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and has received IRS approval.