This year our country and its people are facing serious financial challenges.  Unfortunately in times like these women are forced to make difficult choices about their own health care.  In financially stressful times women tend to sacrifice their own healthcare needs for those of their families.  We are seeing the reality of this every day in our own business.  Women are simply unable to afford birth control.

Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida and Northeast Florida have merged to form Planned Parenthood of North Florida in an effort to increase access to quality reproductive health care and comprehensive sex education in north Florida.  Our hope is to build support for our work in these new communities and soon open new health centers where there is need.

We have added some exciting services this past year including, Pills Now Pay Later and an online appointment requester.

Our online activist base has grown and we are working with new elected officials all over North Florida.

But our struggle continues, often I encounter folks who have no idea about the work of Planned Parenthood beyond provision of abortion care.  I always look for an opportunity to tell them what the word choice actually means to me:

Choice means that sexuality is recognized as a lifelong part of being human and that it is celebrated with openness, respect and mutuality.

Choice means that all children are wanted and loved.

Choice means that neither women nor men feel as though they must exploit their sexuality for any reason.

Choice means that the media does not inappropriately use sexual images coupled with images of violence and degradation to sell a product.

Choice means that everyone understands the beauty of sex and also the consequences of engaging in risky sexual behavior.

Choice means that all kids have access to age appropriate and medically accurate sex education.

Choice means that the ability to control when and if to have children is a basic human right.  Therefore no one should be denied access to birth control or emergency contraception.

Choice means that our elected officials do not have the right to legislate our private and personal decisions.

Choice encompasses all the work we do every day here at Planned Parenthood.

This work is not easy and we cannot do it alone. We would love to have you as a partner.

Peace & Miracles,

Staci Fox