The Bra Shoppe Experience Provides Much Needed Bras and Underwear to Teens
On April 25th, My Girlfriend’s House will provide 60 teen girls living in homeless shelters with bras and
underwear during their free bra education workshop.
Prince George’s County, MD (April 20, 2015) – Food, water, shelter and safety. These are just a few of
the essential needs that homeless teens struggle with daily. But imagine being a girl living in a shelter
and having to go without properly fitted bras and underwear. On Saturday, April 25th, My Girlfriend’s
House will address this growing issue by inviting teens who reside in homeless shelters to participate in
their Bra Shoppe Experience.
The Bra Shoppe Experience is a daylong bra education workshop that teaches teen girls how to properly
fit themselves for their body sizes. The program promotes self-love and encourages teens to feel
confident about their bodies and personal appearance. Throughout the day, students will learn what
works best for their shapes while gaining the opportunity to shop for the perfect bra.
While most shelters offer beds and meals, only some are able to provide hygiene-related items to
residents. Sadly, bras and underwear, two of the most requested items in shelters and transitional
programs, are even harder to come by. Despite the good efforts of shelter workers who try to garner
these products, girls often have to make do or go without.
“Homeless women typically know where to find a safe place to sleep or a hot meal to eat. But when it
comes to taking care of their feminine needs, they often have nowhere to turn.” Veronica Eyenga,
Executive Director of My Girlfriend’s House shared. “A comfortable and supportive bra seems like such
an obvious necessity, but for those living in homelessness, this important need can be easily overlooked
or disregarded.”
Not only does the Bra Shoppe Experience provide essential undergarments for teens, it also promotes
positive health awareness. Proper bra education and fitting is imperative to good health. Ill-fitting bras
have been reported to contribute to poor posture and musculoskeletal problems such as upper limb
neural symptoms and neck and back pain. Despite the importance of proper bra fitting, more than 70%
of teens wear the wrong size bra, increasing their risks of serious health issues.
“All of our girls struggle with self-image. Because of their family’s income, they do not have an
opportunity to purchase quality bras and underwear,” the Director of a participating shelter revealed.
“The girls compensate by wearing things that are too big or too tight which may cause unpleasant
reactions from their peers. If a girl does not feel confident in her clothes, she will withdraw or become
over defiant. Having an experience like this will definitely boost their self-esteem and address an
important personal care need that many girls are lacking. “
This year, My Girlfriend’s House will invite 60 teens from 10 area shelters and group homes to
participate in the Bra Shoppe Experience. The event will begin with a series of bra education workshops
and will end with a bra and underwear shopping spree at Macy’s.
To learn more about the Bra Shoppe Experience and to support this annual event, please visit
www.mygirlfriendshouse.org.
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About My Girlfriend’s House
My Girlfriends House, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works with at-risk middle and high school
girls in DC, Maryland and Virginia. The group’s mission is to empower young girls living in poverty to
break the cycle and maintain a positive understanding of self-worth, confidence, and professional
advancement. This is accomplished through group mentoring, life skills training, and career and
academic planning. For more information and to support this and other efforts of My Girlfriend’s House please visit us at https://www.mygirlfriendshouse.org.