Red Deer’s year-long Period Promise pilot project will wrap up soon and an evaluation will be done this fall.
“It was positively received. But we’re going to complete the full evaluation and make a decision,” said Tammy Greba, recreation facilities supervisor with the city.
Last summer the City of Red Deer partnered with United Way Central Alberta to launch the pilot project to provide free menstrual products at the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre and City Hall.
The $30,000 pilot provided stigma-free access to menstrual products at those city facilities to employees, guests, clients and the general public.
Many people who menstruate have struggled to afford products at some point in their life, and that lack of access can be a barrier to school, work and other activities.
Related:
Red Deer launches period promise pilot
Greba said the pilot is officially over at the end of August, but the dispensers will continue to be filled until the supply of menstrual products for the program has run out.
Pilot locations were chosen to ensure there was a diversity in the type of users accessing the program as well as varied geographic locations across the city. New dispensers were installed in pilot facility washrooms.
Users were invited to complete a short online survey to help evaluate the pilot. Comment cards were also available at the facilities to gather feedback.
Related:
Period Promise spreads to 50 schools in Alberta
Greba said the data from the surveys is being complied and operational data collected for the evaluation. A report will go to the manager of city’s Safe & Healthy Communities department to determine the future of the program.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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