Southeast student Manuela Barriga Otalora served as a social work practicum student working with the LGBTQ+ Resource Center during the spring 2022 semester.
One goal of the Resource Center was to obtain menstrual supplies, specifically to support those in transition. Otalora coordinated with the outreach program Pad It and was selected to receive over $140 worth of items.
Tristen Simmons, the graduate assistant who supervises the Resource Center said having these supplies on hand is important to provide holistic support to students and community members who access their services.
Otalora approached several different major manufacturing companies’ benevolence departments before she was connected to the Pad It program, whose mission is to increase menstrual equality.
Otalora graduated Southeast in May 2022 with a bachelor's degree in social work.