Funded Projects

Hope & Hygiene

Project Year

2026

City & State

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Program Name

Resident

Topic

Access/Barriers to Health Care (LHI)

Program Description

Introduction and Problem:  The Hope & Hygiene Project was developed in response to a critical yet often overlooked need among justice-involved youth in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Youth involved in the juvenile justice system face significant challenges that affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. One urgent issue identified by staff at the Juvenile Justice Department was the lack of access to basic hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products. These items are essential not only for health, but also for dignity and self-esteem. Because these youth are not incarcerated, they do not receive institutional support—such as consistent access to hygiene products or healthcare services—that detention centers typically provide. As a result, their basic needs often go unmet. Many also lack connection to primary care providers, leading to untreated health conditions, reduced health literacy, and missed opportunities for preventive care and health education.  

Primary Setting and Number of Children Served: The project will take place in Dauphin County and focus on youth under the supervision of the Juvenile Justice Department, including those in probation and reentry programs. Based on departmental estimates, the initiative has the potential to reach and support hundreds of adolescents each year.  

Project Goal: The primary goal of the Hope & Hygiene Project is to promote health, dignity, and well-being among justice-involved youth by ensuring reliable access to hygiene products and educational resources that support self-care, dignity, and autonomy.  

Proposed Intervention: The core intervention involves establishing and maintaining a hygiene supply closet at a central location frequently used by Juvenile Justice staff and youth. This closet will contain essential hygiene items and allow staff to assemble and distribute kits at intake or anytime needs arise. Additionally, educational handouts will be developed to provide guidance on hygiene practices and information on local primary care resources. All materials will be age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and written in accessible language.  

Anticipated Outcomes: We anticipate the following outcomes from the creation of the hygiene closet. Consistent access to hygiene supplies will support both physical health and personal dignity among justice-involved youth, while increased health literacy through accessible educational materials will empower participants to take greater ownership of their well-being. To evaluate the project’s impact, participants will complete a brief Likert-scale survey when accessing the hygiene closet to gauge satisfaction, perceived benefit, and areas for improvement. This feedback, along with input from staff and providers, will guide ongoing adaptation of the project and support potential expansion to additional counties or youth-serving systems.  The Hope & Hygiene Project represents a meaningful step toward addressing health inequities in our community. By meeting a basic human need with compassion and purpose, we aim to support some of the most vulnerable youth and foster pathways toward better health and brighter futures. 

Project Goal

The goal of the Hope & Hygiene Project is to promote health, dignity, and well-being among justice-involved youth by ensuring reliable access to free hygiene products and educational resources.

Project Objective 1

Within the first 6 months, the Hope & Hygiene Project will have served 100 youth via the hygiene closet. 

Project Objective 2

By the end of Year 1, at least 50% of youth who has used the closet will report increased understanding of basic hygiene practices. 

Project Objective 3

Within the first 12 months, at least 50% of youth who receive hygiene items will return for at least one restock or follow-up visit, demonstrating continued engagement with the hygiene supply closet and sustained practice of personal hygiene routines.

AAP District

District III

Institutional Name

Dauphin County Juvenile Justice Department 

Contact 1

Kayleigh VanDuzer, DO