St. Croix charity hands out puberty kits to 96 middle schoolers

A grassroots initiative on St. Croix has supplied 96 students at Pearl B. Larsen School with hygiene kits designed to support them through puberty, using a whole-class distribution method to avoid embarrassment.

Ebony Miller, who leads Caribbean Collective: Unfiltered, spearheaded the effort as part of her "Community Over Committees" programme. Working alongside school nurse Lisa Velasquez, the group identified 39 girls and 57 boys to receive the kits. "We were just going to distribute them out to everyone and not single anyone out," Miller said.

The packages were assembled with gender-specific contents. Boys received deodorant, a Listerine packet, a toothbrush and soap. Girls received sanitary products, wet wipes, a toothbrush and toothpaste. The school nurse kept additional items in her pantry for students who might need them later.

Velasquez, who started at the school in August, praised the initiative as "a great outreach that is meeting a need here" and said she "really appreciated Ms. Miller's efforts."

The project emerged from Miller's earlier back-to-school campaign. While fundraising, she noticed how many children struggled with physical changes as they moved from elementary to middle and high school. When initial requests for assistance went unanswered, she launched her own drive, eventually distributing 100 book bags containing copies of her son's book.

Miller established Caribbean Collective in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. She spent eight years on St. Thomas before relocating to St. Croix in April, saying she found greater community support on the island. The group's Facebook page now has 23,000 members.

Volunteers including Nicole Demby, who moved to St. Croix more than a year ago, and teacher Amran Nero helped execute the project. Demby noted that the group offers volunteer opportunities and community service hours, which she said helps people meet changing SNAP work requirements.

Miller intends to expand to Juanita Gardine K-8, Claude O. Markoe, and Arthur A. Richards schools. Community members have also requested assistance at Luis Hospital. She remains open to working with school leaders to identify needs.

"Everything is grassroots," Miller said. "As we receive new ideas, new ways to reach out to the community, we take heed to it, and we put it into motion."

Those interested in donating, volunteering or seeking support can reach Miller at [email protected] or 340-727-6246. She is also active on Facebook under her name and Caribbean Collective: Unfiltered, and on Instagram at @officialccu2020.