Community
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Raising Girls – Community Reinvestment Project Spotlight
Raising Girls is one 30 By/For Black, Latine, and Indigenous Kin organizations in Pierce County recommended by the Pierce County Local Advisory Team to receive funding through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project.
GTCF contracted with Commerce to convene the Pierce County Local Advisory Team and deliver funding based on their recommendations. You can read more about this partnership here.
GTCF reached out to Sharon Chambers-Gordon, Founder & CEO, Raising Girls, to learn more about their organization and how this Community Reinvestment Project funding is helping accelerate their work in Pierce County.
What inspired the creation of your organization/movement?
Raising Girls is a nonprofit organization based in Western Washington, dedicated to combating period poverty and hygiene insecurity among girls in underserved communities.
Our organization was inspired by a legacy of compassion and a deep understanding of the power of dignity, passed down through generations. This emerged from my lived experiences growing up in a small Jamaican community where my mother, Mary, was a quiet pillar of support for neighbors in need. Whether it was offering a bar of soap, a fresh washcloth, or a warm meal, my mother’s small but intentional acts of kindness had a lasting impact on those around her, and on me. Meeting even the most basic human needs can uplift a person’s spirit and restore their sense of worth. Carrying that lesson forward, along with my daughter Amara, Raising Girls was created to combat the often-invisible crisis of period poverty and hygiene insecurity faced by young people in underserved communities. What began as a personal mission has grown into a movement, focused on providing essential hygiene products, educational support, and a strong message of self-worth.
At its core, Raising Girls exists to ensure that no young person is left to struggle in silence or shame, and that every youth regardless of circumstance, feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. By addressing basic needs that are often overlooked or stigmatized, Raising Girls is not just delivering products; it’s delivering hope, confidence, and the message that every youth matters.
What is a challenge – or opportunity – your organization/movement is addressing or trying to create solutions for?
Raising Girls is deeply committed to addressing the pervasive and often overlooked issue of period poverty and hygiene insecurity – challenges that significantly impact the well-being and educational opportunities of young people in our communities. Every day, thousands of students across the region are forced to miss school simply because they do not have access to basic hygiene products like menstrual supplies, soap, and deodorant. This not only affects their academic performance and confidence but also perpetuates cycles of shame and inequality.
At Raising Girls, we believe that access to these essential items is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. No child should have to choose between their education and their dignity. Our work is rooted in the conviction that providing hygiene products to youth in need is an urgent opportunity to promote health equity, foster self-esteem, and empower students to stay engaged and succeed in school. By partnering with schools, community organizations, and donors, we aim to break the silence around period poverty and hygiene insecurity and create lasting solutions that uplift every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
What is an example of the actions, programs, or projects of your organization/movement?
Recognizing that access to essential hygiene products is a basic human right, we work tirelessly to ensure that all children – regardless of gender, have the supplies they need to feel confident, clean, and cared for. One of our most impactful initiatives involves mobilizing a team of compassionate and dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in every aspect of our mission. These volunteers shop locally for hygiene supplies, visit our headquarters to pack care bags for both girls and boys, unbox products, stock shelves, and write heartfelt, uplifting messages that are included in each bag to remind recipients that they are seen and supported.
In addition to our day-to-day efforts, we organize two major annual events to raise funds and awareness: a lively and inspiring fundraising luncheon in the spring and a family-friendly 5K Fun Run in the Fall. These events not only help sustain our programs but also foster a sense of community and shared purpose. The overwhelming support we’ve received from our neighbors, partners, and donors has been instrumental in expanding our reach and deepening our impact, and we are truly grateful for the ongoing encouragement that fuels our work.
One powerful example of our programming is our Partner with a School Program, where we deliver thousands of care bags to local schools, shelters, and youth organizations, helping young people feel more confident and equipped to face each day with dignity.
How can funding – like what was delivered through the Community Reinvestment Project – help accelerate the work of Raising Girls?
Community funding, such as the generous support provided through the Community Reinvestment Project, plays a transformative role in accelerating the mission and expanding the impact of Raising Girls. With this kind of support, we are empowered to scale our programs and outreach, currently serving thousands of students and families across 215 schools in 15 school districts spanning Pierce, King, and Thurston Counties.
This funding enables us not only to sustain our existing efforts, but also to grow our reach, deepening our support in communities that need it most. It strengthens our partnerships with over 80 local agencies including Boys & Girls Clubs, Metro Parks Summer Program, and Eastside Community Center: creating a broader, more connected network of resources for youth and families.
Community funding enhances our ability to respond quickly to emerging needs and ensures we can provide essential items and programming that promote dignity, self-confidence, and opportunity for the young people we serve. In essence, it is this kind of strategic investment that allows Raising Girls to thrive, to dream bigger, and to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we uplift every day. We are truly grateful to do this work and honored to be trusted stewards for these funds.