Insider News August 2023
In this issue:
- President & CEO Message
- Health Care: New Long-Acting HIV Prevention and Gender-Affirming Care Services
- Education: Summer Sex Education for All Ages
- Advocacy & Government Relations: August is for Advocacy
- You can continue to make Care. No Matter What. possible!
- In Case You Missed It
Dear Friends,
I'm pleased to share Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic's 2022 Annual Report. Inside, you'll find updates from our organization as well as data summarizing our work over the past year. The accomplishments detailed in this report would not have been possible without the dedication of our incredible staff. I want to thank every one of them for their hard work and perseverance.
Some highlights from the year include:
- serving over 27,000 patients in 45,790 visits,
- reaching more than 6,600 people through our education and training programs,
- engaging with almost 43,000 activists through our advocacy and government relations work in our local counties, and
- raising over $4.8 million to support our health care services, education programs, and advocacy efforts.
You can read the full report on our website. I hope you’ll join me in looking back on our accomplishments as well as looking ahead to a better future for reproductive freedom.
Thank you for your continued support of PPHP. We could not do this work without you. To get the latest information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to learn what is happening at PPHP and issues related to sexual and reproductive health care.
In this together,
Vincent Russell
President & CEO
Health Care: New Long-Acting HIV Prevention and Gender-Affirming Care Services
We are pleased to share two new additions to our HIV prevention and gender-affirming care services.
PPHP now offers Apretude, the first and only long-acting injectable PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for reducing the risk of getting HIV. Patients receive an injection from their health care provider every other month (with a booster after the first month), eliminating the need to take a daily pill. PPHP is one of the first Planned Parenthood affiliates to offer this PrEP option to patients. It is currently available at our Smithtown location, and we expect to expand services to our additional locations soon.
PPHP is also proud to begin offering Testopel as part of our gender affirming care services. Testopel is a small pellet inserted by a health care provider that slowly dissolves to release testosterone into the body over the course of 3-4 months. The procedure of inserting the pellet takes less than 5 minutes. This treatment requires less ongoing maintenance compared to gels or injectables.
We aim to provide the best patient experience possible, and we are thrilled to expand our patients’ options for care through these two new services.
If you are interested in a consultation for either Apretude or Testopel, please call 800-230-PLAN or visit pphp.org to make an appointment. You can learn more about our other gender affirming care services here and other HIV prevention and treatment services here.
Education: Summer Sex Education for All Ages
In Suffolk County, we are running a LGBTQ Health Education Series with Camp Ga’avah’s Leaders in Training (LITs). This is our second year at Camp Ga’avah and we couldn’t be happier to be back! We have also had the opportunity to support summer school programming at Spring Valley High School and Central Islip High School. We are conducting hybrid Spanish and English programming, making our lessons accessible to more students.
Outside of school and camp, we have expanded our adult programming this summer. Our team believes that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health means education for all ages. In Westchester County, we have created a strong relationship with Dorado Apartments, a resident community with a focus on women and families. We have facilitated adult programming for these community members, and are excited to continue to expand this part of our services.
To learn more about our Education and Training programs, please visit https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-hudson-peconic/local-education-training.
Advocacy & Government Relations: August is for Advocacy
It has been great to see so many of you spending your summer fighting for sexual and reproductive health and rights with us! We had a determined group of volunteers at our Healthy Neighborhood Canvass in Mt. Vernon, who knocked on over 80 doors to share information about our sexual and reproductive health services. We were also pleased to see many of you at our packing event for abortion aftercare kits. We made 1,000 kits, which will be distributed to patients who receive abortion care at our health centers.
This month, we have two opportunities for craftivism, a form of activism that pairs crafts with raising awareness and fighting for social justice. On Sunday, August 20 we’ll be making zines (small, DIY magazines) and talking about the importance of sex education at Coffee, Craft, and Chat. The following week, join us for Quilting for Comprehensive Sex Education on Saturday, August 26, co-hosted by our Community Action Council. First-time crafters are welcome!
Additionally, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, we’re thrilled to present a special edition of our virtual storytelling workshop series: Health Care & Faith. If you belong to a community of faith (of any denomination!), come learn how to share your story of faith to advance health care access.
We hope to see many of you soon! Check out our Monthly Activist Calendar for more upcoming events or visit our website.
Come Join Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic!
PPHP has employment opportunities in our health care centers and administrative offices.
If you’re interested in working for a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care and a trusted source for education and advocacy, apply to work at PPHP today.
We currently have openings in the following departments:
- Development
- Education
- Finance
- Health care
- Facilities & Security
- Learning & Equity
- Patient Services
You can learn more about open positions and working at PPHP here.
Be sure to mark your calendars and share these events with your friends and family.
Coffee, Craft, and Chat
Sunday, August 20, 2023
White Plains
More information here
Storytelling Workshop: Health Care & Faith
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Virtual
More information here
Quilting for Comprehensive Sex Ed
Saturday, August 26, 2023
White Plains
More information here
Making Waves: PPHP’s Wine Tasting
Sunday, September 10, 2023
The Old Field Club, East Setauket
More information here
The Empower Gala
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville
More information here
For more information, visit our Calendar of Events. We look forward to seeing you!
You can continue to make Care. No Matter What. possible!
A monthly gift to PPHP ensures security for patients in your local communities. Consider joining our Monthly Giving Program today at www.pphp.org/donatetoday.
Double your impact! Does your employer have a matching gift program? Check with your Human Resources Department to find out. For questions, contact the Development Department at [email protected].
Committed to safeguarding the future of reproductive health care? Consider leaving a legacy gift to PPHP in your will. Please contact the Development Department at [email protected].
Do you have a little bit of time to get more involved? Visit www.pphp.org for ways you can help.
PPHP News:
Westchester Board of Legislators repeals part of reproductive rights law (news12.com)
Additional News:
NYS officials say schools must be inclusive on gender issues (lohud.com)
Understanding Abortions Through Storytelling (thestoryexchange.org)
5 things to know about 1st-ever FDA-approved pill for postpartum depression - ABC News (go.com)