Voices for Change is a new club inspired by senior Sue Oliveira and adviser Melissa Teel.

Similar to other clubs, Voices for Change has a focus on helping others in need. What makes this club  unique is the “safe haven” created in Teel’s classroom where the club meets every other Thursday.

The club was created to empower students — both boys and girls — to find confidence in themselves and to use this for the benefit of others.

The services and work performed for the community are anything but forced, nor activities to write on a resume; all motives and ideas are inspired from passion.

“It’s a place where I can come and help, help myself and others. Talk about whatever I want to say or feel,” Oliveira said. “I trust these people so I thought let’s make a club”

The fearless club tackled “The Homeless Period Project,” collected nearly 100 boxes of feminine hygiene products for women in need. The donations were made to the Dorothy Day Center.

Due to the lack of funding for feminine hygiene products for homeless women in the U.S. and the U.K., Oliveira took it upon herself to use the power of  Voices for Change and the school to raise awareness of this harsh reality.

When the club delivered the donations to the center, Oliveira spoke with a woman from Africa who thanked them profusely for thinking about this need.

“People don’t think to donate these kind of products,” Oliveira recalls the woman saying. “They just donate food and water.”

The club points out the double-standard of shelters receiving federal help to provide condoms and razors, but not providing for feminine hygiene products.

“It’s not something you can control, it’s completely natural” says Cindy Pena, a senior and club member. “We’re continuously made to feel ashamed about that part of us.”

Helping out the community isn’t the only goal for the club.

“It’s really about promoting self love,” says Oliveira, adding that the club is always accepting new members.

Teel added, “This is a place to find your voice, and once you have found that voice, figuring out how to use it for change.”