PERIODS DON’T STOP IN A PANDEMIC. ​

​DUE TO THE PANDEMIC- BRAWS IS BEING CALLED ON TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY- NOW MORE THAN EVER- READ MORE HERE! 

AS THE SITUATION EVOLVES, WE ARE MAKING PLANS TO CONTINUE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THOSE WE SERVE, WHOSE NEED IS EVEN MORE URGENT RIGHT NOW.   

THE SAFETY OF OUR CLIENTS, OUR STAFF, AND OUR VOLUNTEERS - REMAINS PARAMOUNT. THEREFORE, WE ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE UTMOST SAFETY OF ALL THOSE INVOLVED. IN ORDER TO PREVENT DIRECT PERSON-TO-PERSON CONTACT, WE HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND OUR ON-SITE SHELTER DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER PARTNER FACILITIES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 WE PLAN TO CONTINUE COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING DONATIONS OF PADS, TAMPONS, BRAS, AND UNDERWEAR.

WE WILL WORK WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE DROP-OFF SERVICES FOR OUR FAMILIES IN NEED. 

IF YOU HAVE ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE (AND THOSE DONATIONS ARE MUCH NEEDED AT THIS TIME!), WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DROP THEM BY OUR OFFICE @ 133 PARK ST NE, SUITE 3B, VIENNA OR PURCHASE VIA BRAWS AMAZON LINK. 

ALL DONATIONS, INBOUND AND OUTBOUND, WILL UNDERGO A THOROUGH CLEANING PROCESS. WE ENCOURAGE OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF TO STAY HOME IF THEY ARE NOT FEELING WELL, ESPECIALLY HIGH RISK POPULATIONS, AS DETERMINED BY THE CDC. WE WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION AS IT EVOLVES, AND PROVIDE UPDATES OVER THE UPCOMING WEEKS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA (IF YOU DON'T ALREADY FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR TWITTER, PLEASE DO!)

IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE SUPPORT FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO NEED YOUR HELP BY DONATING PRODUCTS, CONTRIBUTING FINANCIALLY AND VOLUNTEERING. PERIODS DON’T STOP IN A PANDEMIC  - WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT ALL THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS, SUCH AS MENSTRUAL SUPPLIES AND UNDERGARMENTS, EVEN IN THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY AND CRISIS.  

THANKS YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND CONTINUED SUPPORT.
RESPECTFULLY,

HOLLY SEIBOLD
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BRAWS

thanks for visiting our site!

BRAWS mission is to bring dignity and empowerment to women and girls living in shelters by providing new, personally fitted undergarments and menstrual supplies.   In 2018, we were able to serve over 80 shelters and schools, help 6,000 women and girls, reach: 21 counties, 10 school districts, 6 states, and distribute over two million new and unopened pads, tampons, underwear and bras.  Learn more HERE or scroll down to see our latest happenings!

oh what a night!

Thanks to YOU-
Thousands of women in shelters will not have to go without a bra, underwear or essential menstrual supplies.
​Thousands of girls won't have to miss school because their family could not afford menstrual supplies. 

Huge thanks to our amazing Sponsors- their support is crucial to our mission. Check out our Sponsor list- these are area businesses who care about the women and girls in our community!

mardi bras 2020 highlights courtesy of mike Beaty

huge thanks to our
Mardi bras 2020 sponsors!

our story

Six years ago, our founder Holly Seibold wanted to help women in local homeless shelters. She held a small collection drive at her house, inviting friends and neighbors and collected over 300 new bras, underwear, pads, and tampons. Holly brought the items to 3 shelters in the area and soon other shelters were calling her.  She quickly discovered that these items are: rarely donated, expensive for shelters to replenish and are not covered by food stamps. ​
​Since then, BRAWS has expanded our services- to include monthly deliveries of menstrual products to area shelters and school pantries.  In 2018, we were able to serve over 80 shelters and schools, help 6,000 women and girls, reach: 21 counties, 10 school districts, 6 states, and distribute over two million new and unopened pads, tampons, underwear and bras. 

 The majority of individuals in homeless shelters are women and their children. They are typically victims of domestic violence fleeing from abusive homes or are single mothers who have lost their jobs due to unforeseen circumstances and need help getting back on their feet.  ​They need physical and mental support to transition to better lives for themselves and their children. Our mission is to provide them not only with tangible items they need, but to empower them to gain independence and stability. 

​We have also found that many girls miss school due to lack of menstrual products and are working to meet that need by providing these products to area schools and school pantries.  With the help of area businesses and organizations we have installed free dispensers in over 15 schools and community locations.   BRAWS also engages in advocacy and education on menstrual equity, stigma and improving accessibility of menstrual products and undergarments for women and girls.

View our slideshow to find out more about BRAWS!