Milwaukee, WI

Two Milwaukee friends hold their third annual period party to combat period poverty

Published

2 years ago

April 30, 2024

Two Milwaukee friends hold their third annual period party to combat period poverty

In 2022, Nicole Dachs approached her friend Jamie Robarge, a photographer in Milwaukee, to ask if she’d be interested in hosting a period party. Dachs volunteers weekly at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission, packing period kits — free kits of pads and tampons, which the group then distributes to organizations to provide to people in need.

The period kit program is part of a goal to end period poverty. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, two in five people who menstruate struggle to afford menstruation supplies, which leads to their missing work, school and activities.

Robarge had heard of the Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s work to supply free diapers to caregivers in need, and was eager to help out with the mission to supply free period products as well.

In December of 2022, the friends hosted their first period poverty at Robarge’s photography studio. They collected about 5,000 pads and tampons, and raised $1,000 for period products, all of which they donated to the Milwaukee Diaper Mission. Then the friends decided to host another one just six months later, to coincide with Period Poverty Awareness Week in May. This one was at Boone & Crockett and even more popular, raising more than $3,000 and collecting 25,000 pads and tampons.

And, they’re hoping that their next party, coming up on May 19, will be their biggest period party yet. Here’s what Robarge and Dachs have to say about their upcoming event.

What is a period party?

Dachs: Whenever I pack period kits for the Milwaukee Diaper Mission, it’s like they fly off the shelves so I know there’s a need for pads and tampons. I wanted to host a drive to help supply them with more, but I also really love throwing parties. I didn’t want to just host a drive; I wanted to make it a party and something that’s fun to celebrate menstruation vs. it being a taboo that people don’t talk about. I want it to be loud and in every room and accepted that it’s just a part of life that more than half the population experiences.

Robarge: At our period parties, we encourage people to bring tampons and pads, and then we also have local businesses that donate raffle items. So we raise money through the raffle to buy more pads and tampons.

What can people expect at this year’s period party?

Robarge: Our party this year is at Enlightened Brewing Company, 2020 S. Allis St., from 1 to 4 p.m. We’ll have people donate pads and tampons again and have a raffle again. We’re also going to have music and we’ll have the street blocked off with food vendors. There will be baked treats and Enlightened will have a featured drink. We’ll also be incorporating some form of visual art.

Why don’t more people know about period poverty?

Robarge: People stigmatize menstruation. We all have personal stories like in high school, whispering to someone that you need a tampon and then hiding it up the sleeve of your sweatshirt. And personal stories aside, last year when we were planning the party, we reached out to businesses to help us collect period products. One business only put up signage in the women’s locker room so the drive wasn’t seen anywhere else in that business. Why shouldn’t that signage be put out in a more public space, in the main lobby? That was an eye-opener for me about how periods are stigmatized.

What else do you do to raise period awareness and combat period poverty?

Dachs: I’ve been paying more attention when I’m out in public and in public restrooms. I see the vending machines that are supposedly providing products, but they’re empty or you have to pay for them, or a business says you have to see the manager for the products. It’s just unfair.

I have a goal to see more period products available in all public spaces for free.

So I’ve started covering yogurt containers in decorative fabric to make baskets and asking several businesses if they’d be willing to host the baskets in their bathrooms and provide free period products for people. The businesses that have agreed, I set them up with the basket and a certificate of recognition that says the business is making the pledge to support menstruators by providing products for free.

A few times where I work, people have told me, “I’m so grateful this is here; you saved me today.” People feel seen and know there are other people who understand and know these products are needed and care enough to put them out there.

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

Published

7 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

MILWAUKEE — An Oak Creek couple’s stolen car has been found after a viewer who saw a report on the theft spotted it near a south side Milwaukee apartment complex.

Melinna Posey said the ordeal began when her car was stolen and she turned to social media for help. A person who responded claimed to have the vehicle and demanded money for its return. The person messaging even taunted her, discarding some of the items inside the car.

Personal items were inside the vehicle, including the family’s car seat, stroller, cameras and photos.

“It’s been very stressful, especially for him. It’s his vehicle, it’s in his name,” Posey said.

Watch: Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

Stolen Oak Creek couple’s car found by viewer dumped near Milwaukee apartment complex

I spoke to Posey on Tuesday. Since then, she and Tyler Dusenberry had been searching for the car. On Thursday, the couple received a message from someone who saw the story on TMJ4. That person found the car at a south side Milwaukee apartment complex and shared pictures of the red Dodge Durango SRT between trees and a building, covered in tarps.

“I didn’t believe the text message at first today, and then he sent pictures of the car, and I was like, thank the lord, I was like thank you so much,” Posey said.

“It’s a roller coaster that’s what it’s been,” Dusenberry said.

Brendyn Jones/TMJ4

Oak Creek Police picked up the car and are processing it for evidence. The family has not yet been able to see the inside of the vehicle or what, if anything, was left behind.

The family said they are grateful to everyone who helped them this week, but said the entire experience will be tough to get over.

“It’s just unfortunate that this all happened, and we had a lot of memories and trips within that vehicle so it’s just a little life-changing to be honest,” Dusenberry said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Let’s talk:

Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

$95,000 worth of Milwaukee tools stolen in Plover

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

,000 worth of Milwaukee tools stolen in Plover

PLOVER, Wis. (WBAY) – Police in the western part of the state are spreading the word after someone stole over $95,000 worth of Milwaukee-brand tools. Police are concerned that they’ll be sold online or sold outside the state.

Milwaukee-brand tools were stolen from a trailer at a solar farm in Plover.

Police say there were 130 items, including more than 40 half-inch impact guns, multiple wire cutters, grease guns, 80 batteries, and a couple of small generators.

Investigators are warning that buyers who purchase stolen items can have them seized and could lose their money or even face criminal charges if they knew the property was stolen.

Source link