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Catlin Gabel senior Nadya Okamoto founded the non-profit Camions of Care in December 2013 in response to a need among homeless women in Portland, Oregon: while other service providers are helping with many basic needs, there was a huge lack of access to feminine hygiene products.

Nadya built her organization around a traditional non-profit business structure and invited her classmate to participate in key leadership positions. Nadya serves as Executive Director, and other team leaders include an Operations Director, Growth and Outreach Director, Distribution Manager, Technology Coordinator, Chapter Coordinator, Media Coordinator, Education Director, and Public Relations Head.

A mission statement was created to guide the organization: “Our nonprofit organization promotes menstrual hygiene management and empowers those experiencing their periods through advocacy, education, and service. We distribute care packages of menstrual hygiene supplies (tampons, pads, etc.) to a global network of partners serving underprivileged communities.”

To date, the non-profit has served over 4,000 clients.

Read more about Camions of Care and learn how you can support the work of the organization.