2000s - Venturing Abroad
At the dawn of a new century, Planned Parenthood stands as a mature organization with amazing potential for growth. In the face of intermittent resistance, the organization continues to break new boundaries. In the first years of the twenty-first century, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland has already set up a new clinic, traveled overseas, and expanded its service area at home.
In 2001, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland collaborated with local abortion provider, Preterm to open Cleveland's fifth family planning health center. Located in the Preterm facility on Shaker Boulevard, the health center operates two days a week on a walk-in basis and offers a full array of birth control and reproductive healthcare. The same year, Planned Parenthood health centers began to offer two new types of birth control, the NuvaRing and the Ortho Evra patch. Both long-acting methods contain the same hormones as birth control pills but have fewer side effects.
In 2002, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland was chosen to participate in PPFA's Global Partners program. Designed to advance international family planning initiatives, the effort coordinates inter-country exchanges and shared technical support between nations. Early that year, PPGC CEO, Betsey Kaufman and Bonnie Bolitho, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Stark County and also a Global Partner with India, and PPGC Board member, Gita Gidwani, MD visited family planning centers in India. And in May, four family planning representatives from India spent three weeks in Ohio, touring PPGC's health centers, talking with staff and meeting local officials. PPNEO's International work
Throughout its history, Planned Parenthood has faced opposition from extremist groups and dealt with periods of government or societal apathy. However, it has always endured and grown to meet the escalating need for reproductive healthcare. In 2003, PPGC extends its service area to include eight new counties: Lorain, Huron, Erie, Sandusky, Seneca, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula.
In the coming years, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland will continue to encourage all women to take control of their health, through education, healthcare services, and advocacy. It will give women and men the information they need to make choices that result in healthier lifestyles. It will promote the prevention of disease and unintended pregnancies and provide quality health services in a safe, supportive environment. And, as it has for 75 years, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland will protect the right of every woman to determine when to bear children so that every child is treasured and loved.
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