NEWS RELEASE
RTOERO DISTRICT 17 SIMCOE COUNTY
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In parts of the developing world, many girls miss several days of school each month. The reason? They have to stay home because they lack the appropriate feminine hygiene products during their periods. Some even drop out of school entirely.
A local group is making a difference by preparing kits for these girls, with help from a $4,000 grant by District 17 Simcoe County of RTOERO.
The kits are made by the Barrie chapter of Days for Girls. The international organization advocates for reproductive health awareness, education and sustainable feminine hygiene.
The Barrie Days for Girls team meets regularly to assemble the kits. The group includes several members of RTOERO. New funding from RTOERO will cover the cost of creating 200 kits.
“This program offers a simple solution that gives girls back time at school. At RTOERO, we understand the importance of education to improve their chances of success,” says Paul Healy, president, District 17 Simcoe County, RTOERO.
The funding is part of RTOERO’s annual Project – Service to Others (PSTO). Districts apply for individual projects (education-related or other community initiatives) that support a local, national or international program. Up to $4,000 per project is available.
Each fall, a committee of RTOERO members assesses the merits of each PSTO submission. For 2020, RTOERO funded 20 projects for a total of $77,000. These projects range from providing reading resources to a home for seniors, to supporting a youth camp, to giving sleeping bags to the homeless. Since the inception of PSTO 20 years ago, RTOERO has donated $1.6 million to more than 500 programs and projects.
“RTOERO members care about their communities and serve them every day,” says Rich Prophet, the chair of the board at RTOERO. “The PSTO grant program is another way we can give back.”
District 17 includes the units of Central Simcoe (Barrie and Elmvale), North Simcoe (Midland, Penetanguishene and Orillia), South Simcoe (Alliston and Bradford), and West Simcoe (Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner and Creemore).
RTOERO is a bilingual, trusted voice on healthy, active living in the retirement journey for the broader education community. With 81,000+ members in 51 districts across Canada, the organization is the largest national provider of non-profit group health benefits for education retirees.
Members work in or are retired from the early years, schools and school boards, post-secondary and any other capacity in education. They believe in a better future, together.
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