Greater Cincinnati nonprofit Impacting Tomorrow announced a major expansion of its Carry Her program, which provides essential feminine hygiene products to students across the region. The initiative, which began by serving 42 students in the Lockland School District and 40 students at Hughes High School, now reaches learners in 22 Cincinnati Public Schools in addition to the Lockland and Milford districts.
Program goals and community impact
Founder Ken Tracy explained that the program’s purpose is simple yet powerful: “Every student deserves the opportunity to walk into school feeling confident, prepared and ready to learn. Something as basic as access to feminine care products should never determine whether a young woman attends class or misses an opportunity to succeed.” By removing this often‑overlooked barrier, the organization hopes to improve daily attendance, strengthen student confidence, and ultimately produce measurable gains in educational outcomes.
Tracy added that the expansion reflects a broader vision to create a replicable model for other regions. “By partnering with school districts across the tri‑state, we believe we can improve attendance, strengthen student confidence and create a measurable impact on educational outcomes. Our vision is to build a model here in Greater Cincinnati that can ultimately benefit students across the country,” he said.
How the program works
Participating schools receive discreet dispensers stocked with pads, tampons and other necessary items. School nurses and counselors are trained to restock supplies and to handle any questions students may have, ensuring privacy and dignity. The program is funded through a combination of private donations, corporate sponsorships and grants, allowing it to remain free for students.
School administrators have praised the effort, noting that reliable access to feminine hygiene products reduces missed class days and helps maintain a focus on learning. “We’ve already seen a positive shift in attendance among our female students,” said a spokesperson from the Cincinnati Public Schools district, who asked to remain unnamed.
Looking ahead
Impacting Tomorrow plans to monitor attendance data and student feedback throughout the school year to assess the program’s effectiveness. The organization also hopes to inspire other nonprofits and local governments to adopt similar initiatives, arguing that addressing basic needs is a cornerstone of strong families and thriving communities.
As the program rolls out to additional schools, community members are encouraged to support the effort through volunteer opportunities and donations. For more information or to contribute, visit Impacting Tomorrow’s website.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
