How One Community Initiative is Tackling Period Poverty

Access to basic necessities such as menstrual products is significant to health and well-being for women. At St. John Bosco Clinic, approximately 70% of the patients are women.

Advancing women’s health is one important aspect of the work our nonprofit clinic serving uninsured patients accomplishes daily, which is why we are honored to recognize the efforts of Grace Leon, founder of Cycle of Support.

Grace, a student at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, founded Cycle of Support in 2025 to address period poverty and expand access to essential menstrual hygiene products for women in need. Thanks to Angela Puentes-Leon, Grace’s mom and a Board member of the SSJ Health Foundation, the patients at St. John Bosco Clinic were chosen as the beneficiaries of this tremendous effort. Through their advocacy, this mother-daughter duo help improve community health and ensure that more underserved and uninsured women in Miami-Dade County have access to the resources necessary to thrive. This illustrates South Florida philanthropy at its best.

Understanding Period Poverty

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual health education, hygiene facilities, and support needed to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Millions of women and girls across the United States experience period poverty, often forcing them to choose between purchasing menstrual products and other necessities such as food, housing, or transportation.

Community Members Making a Difference

Through Cycle of Support, Grace’s donation drive collects menstrual hygiene products and distributes them to our Miami healthcare nonprofit serving women and families in need.
Cycle of Support’s social media updates showcase the incredible generosity of local businesses, community partners, and individual donors who have contributed boxes of pads, tampons, liners, and other essential hygiene supplies. In addition, some local businesses – including clinic volunteer providers in the community – act as drop-off locations for donors. Recent donation drives have resulted in hundreds of products being collected and distributed to St. John Bosco Clinic’s patients.

How You Can Help

This is one special example of community leaders supporting healthcare access. Other community members – including you – can donate to help uninsured patients and support Grace’s efforts by purchasing items directly through the Cycle of Support Amazon Wishlist.

Commonly needed items include:

• Panty liners
• Pads
• Tampons
• Feminine hygiene wipes
• Personal care products

If you’d like to pick up a box or two next time you’re at the store, you can bring them to the clinic in Allapattah or at a community drop-off site (see Cycle of Support’s Instagram for details). Every donation, no matter the size, helps to support uninsured patients and expand access to essential products for women and girls in our Miami-Dade community.

Follow the Movement

To learn more about the initiative, see donation updates, and stay informed about future drives, follow Cycle of Support on Instagram (@cycle_ofsupport).

Thank You

A nonprofit clinic serving uninsured patients, the St. John Bosco Clinic extends its sincere gratitude to Grace, Angie, and everyone who has contributed to the Cycle of Support initiative. Your compassion and dedication help ensure that uninsured and underserved women in Miami-Dade County access healthcare with dignity and obtain the products they need to live healthy, confident lives.

Together, we can continue creating a healthier future for uninsured and underserved women and girls in our community.