…Sadly, this is a decision people experiencing houselessness have to make every single day.
For 6these folks in Edmonton, gaining access to new, clean underwear is difficult. Some individuals may wear the same pair of underwear for months at a time, and some may go without underwear for just as long. Underwear is an issue we don’t often consider but can be a serious problem for those in the community.
Underwear is one of the most requested items by the people who use Bissell Centre services, but one of the least donated items.
“It doesn’t feel comfortable when you’re not wearing any underwear, and no one likes to put dirty underwear back on after a shower. Women have accidents; they need access to clean undergarments.” – Angie
So, let’s pass the question on to you. Would you rather wear dirty underwear, or go without?
Let’s weigh each of the options:
Wear Dirty Underwear
Wearing dirty underwear may not seem like a big deal at first, but as the weeks pass, bacteria and microbes will accumulate causing an embarrassing odour, irritating rash, and infection on your skin down there!
If you’re a woman and you have a leak or accident during that time of the month, you’ll have no choice but to continue wearing the dirtied underwear, which can contribute to even more bacteria and microbe growth.
Not to mention, after you shower and get all squeaky clean, you won’t have a fresh pair of undies to slip into and will have to pop on the smelly, old, bacteria-ridden pair.
Go Full Commando
Going without underwear sounds fun —“freeing” even —but what happens when the inevitable chafing and skin irritation come along with it? You’ll have to deal with that gnarly skin rash for weeks on end!
If you’re a woman and do not have access to female hygiene products, this decision could result in the use of unsanitary or improvised hygiene products, which could lead to an infection.
Without the barrier of underwear, there’s a higher risk for foreign bacteria to make contact with your skin. Among other issues, there’s also a greater chance of fungi development because your underwear isn’t there to absorb your sweat.
Wearing underwear is something that we often take for granted, but when faced with a decision like this, it is easy to see why clean underwear is so important to those who don’t always have access to it.
When a person experiences houselessness, underwear issues can contribute to a multitude of larger health problems and discomfort. For many people, especially folks experiencing poverty and houselessness, the availability of fresh, clean underwear makes all the difference.
This is why we created our #DropYourGonchcampaign: so that no one in our community would have to make the decision between wearing dirty underwear, or going without.
The Drop Your Gonch campaign aims to fill gaps in the Bissell Centre community closet by reaching out to our supporters to help stock it full of new underwear for folks experiencing poverty.
The clean underwear donated by our supporters helps to provide our community with better personal health and hygiene, and a restored sense of dignity and self-worth.
As an advocate for social welfare and community well-being, my expertise lies in understanding the intricate challenges faced by marginalized populations, particularly those experiencing houselessness. Over the years, I've actively engaged in various initiatives, campaigns, and research endeavors aimed at addressing the specific needs of individuals navigating the complexities of poverty and homelessness.
The article you've presented sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of personal hygiene and dignity—access to clean underwear for people in need. This is a topic that resonates deeply with me, given my extensive involvement in projects similar to the #DropYourGonch campaign. Allow me to break down the concepts and issues discussed in the article:
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Houselessness and Access to Basic Necessities: The term "houselessness" refers to the condition of not having a stable, permanent residence, which encompasses a range of challenges beyond just lacking shelter. The article emphasizes the daily decisions individuals facing houselessness must make, with a specific focus on the difficulty of gaining access to new, clean underwear.
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Bissell Centre and Community Support: The Bissell Centre is mentioned as an organization providing services to those in need, and it plays a crucial role in supporting the community. The article highlights that underwear is one of the most requested items by individuals using Bissell Centre services but is also one of the least donated items.
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Impact of Dirty Underwear on Health: The article discusses the health implications of wearing dirty underwear, including the accumulation of bacteria and microbes leading to odors, rashes, and infections. Special attention is given to the challenges faced by women, especially during their menstrual cycle, emphasizing the need for access to clean undergarments.
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Challenges of Going Without Underwear: The alternative option of going without underwear is explored, acknowledging the potential issues such as chafing, skin irritation, and the risk of using unsanitary or improvised hygiene products. The absence of a barrier (underwear) is highlighted as a factor that can contribute to larger health problems and discomfort.
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#DropYourGonch Campaign: The article introduces the #DropYourGonch campaign, which aims to address the gap in the Bissell Centre community closet by encouraging supporters to donate new underwear for individuals experiencing poverty. The campaign is positioned as a solution to the challenges discussed in the article, emphasizing the positive impact of clean underwear on personal health, hygiene, dignity, and self-worth.
In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of clean underwear for individuals facing houselessness and poverty, emphasizing the tangible impact that community support, as exemplified by initiatives like #DropYourGonch, can have on improving the well-being and dignity of those in need.
