Summit Health Cares’ Fresh Start Program provides free menstrual products, health education, and compassionate support, because access to hygiene is a basic human right that empowers individuals to live with confidence, dignity, and equality.
Fresh Start
Fresh Start: Ending Period Poverty with Dignity, Education, and Care
Why This Work Matters
When periods get in the way, we all lose. Period poverty affects health, education, and dignity. By tackling it head-on, we’re helping people stay in school, keep jobs, and live healthier, more empowered lives.
1 in 3
women can’t afford period products.
Over 50%
of U.S. students keep period products in or on longer than is medically recommended.
1 in 8 women
aged 12–44 live below the poverty line in New Jersey.
Practical Support with a Lasting Impact
Fresh Start delivers both products and education through trusted partnerships and donations. We offer:
Fresh Start Pouches: Compact discreet kits with 1-1.5 days’ worth of supplies. Perfect for schools, shelters, or on-the-go-needs.
Fresh Start Totes: Larger kits that include 2-3 months’ worth of menstrual products and hygiene essentials like soap, toothpaste, and deodorant.
In addition, Summit Health clinical staff provide expert guidance to promote long-term menstrual health. It’s a holistic approach that combines care with knowledge.
More Than Products, We Provide Knowledge and Care
Fresh Start isn’t just about giving supplies, it’s about empowering individuals with the confidence and information they need to care for their bodies. Our patient education efforts include menstrual health workshops, hygiene tips, and access to support from healthcare professionals. We’re creating a culture where menstrual health is openly discussed and supported.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Help end period poverty and restore dignity. Your donation, one-time or monthly, provides essential supplies and education to those in need, making a lasting impact.