Lysne is a key reason that Helping Women Period has come to fruition and not just another well-intentioned idea.
Late on a cold January night, Lysne read a Huffington Post article about homeless women’s lack of feminine hygiene products. Concerned about the difficulty homeless women face, she commented and reposted it. Amy Stephenson, a friend of Lysne’s and HWP’s other Co-Founder, commented on the article and they started discussing how they could help. Together, they conceived a one-time fundraising breakfast which would allow them to buy a few cases of product and give it to a local homeless shelter. The overwhelming response to that breakfast led them to form the non-profit and seek 501c3 status. Eighteen months later, that one time event has become a huge part of their daily lives, and currently serves over 65 local charities and 16 schools.
If you ask Lysne what she does for a living, she’ll say she’s a professional volunteer. Her experience helping other non-profit organizations like the Firecracker Foundation and the DeWitt District Library is a tremendous benefit to Helping Women Period. Not only is Lysne well versed in the operations of a non-profit, she knows that volunteers are the backbone of any organization like HWP and strives to ensure their experience is meaningful. Her experience with technology, social media, event planning, fund development, and goal setting are integral to the success of Helping Women Period.
Photo Credit: McShane Photography