The Outlet Youth Center on Monday hosted their 4th Annual Bra Day at Rochester High School.
This year’s Bra Day was sponsored by I Support The Girls and Rochester Iron and Metal. I Support The Girls supplied all products that were given out for free to any high school female. The funds from Rochester Iron and Metal were used to later purchase bra sizes that had run out that students didn’t get to take home.
The Outlet will make another delivery of bras and other needs after spring break.
This year, I Support The Girls provided The Outlet with brand new bras, underwear, socks, shape-wear, and makeup. The Outlet then supplemented these supplies with feminine hygiene products.
A new addition to the program in 2023, The Outlet invited Lindsey Brubaker who is an independent bra fitter with Essential Body Wear. Before girls were able to pick out their free products, Brubaker helped explain to them the importance of wearing a supportive bra, how to know when you need a new bra, and what a good bra should feel like. She then offered her services in measuring any girl who wanted to be measured for their bra size.
“Having Lindsay there was incredibly invaluable to us. Many girls have never been sized for a bra or have never tried one on,” said Assistant Director Taylor Showley.
Brubaker also came with a stock of her own bras to give out to girls.
“To watch young girl’s eyes light up when they are being professionally fitted, having someone to ask questions to, and for them to tell how comfortable they feel in their new bra totally makes my entire year. It’s why I do what I do. When girls are comfortable, they are set up to feel confident!”
This program was started out of recognition of basic needs among the youth in the community, something The Outlet is all too familiar with.
“We have a hygiene pantry in our building for our students. Once we had made a connection with I Support The Girls, it was a no brainer to spill this program in the schools,” said Executive Director Patience Hisey.
The Outlet has seen rewarding results and has been able to grow the program every year. School Counselor, Tara Seuferer, mentioned, “People don’t understand the impact this day is for our students. I love that The Outlet made the girls feel comfortable enough. The girls are leaving with confidence. These are such basic needs that not everyone gets.”
The Outlet hopes to offer this program for both Tippecanoe Valley and Caston High Schools in the coming years but will need more funding to make this happen.
Taylor Showley mentioned their goal in looking toward the future,
“Our goal moving forward is to involve more of the community. We are not lying when we say this is our favorite day of the year. It’s truly a fun and uplifting event for all who participate. We want to share it with our community, and get the women in our community involved in this amazing program.”
The Outlet would like to extend a special thank you to Rochester Iron & Metal, Lindsay Brubaker, I Support The Girls, and National Honors Society students for volunteering their time in helping set up the event.
If you are interested in participating as a volunteer or a sponsor for this yearly event, please contact The Outlet at 574-224-5437 or email taylor@theoutletyouthcenter.og.
In a related story, The Outlet Youth Center held its 2nd Annual RMS Boys Hygiene Day. 5th-7th graders were supplied with free full sized bottles of shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, a toothbrush, and a pair of socks.
Since the RHS Bra Day has been so successful, The Outlet made the decision to supply boys with basic hygiene items as well. The age group most in need of these items are middle school boys.
Seth Manns from Boar’s Head Barbershop gave a brief presentation of the importance of self care for your image.
He told the students, “When you get up in the morning and take time to take care of yourself, you set yourself to have a good day and face the challenges set before you.”
Brad Hisey then gave a brief explanation and presentation over all The Outlet Youth Center has to offer.
Patience Hisey, Executive Director said, “Being the best version of ourselves includes self-care and feeling good. We are honored to provide RMS students with hygiene items to help them feel their very best.”
A special thank you to Steve Moore Agency for their donation towards this event and to The Boar’s Head Barbershop and The Fulton County Community Foundation for helping set up and distribute these items.
