Insider News December 2021
In this issue:
- President & CEO Message
- World AIDS Day
- Promotoraes Peer Education Program Launching in 2022
- Join Us for Roe on the Rocks
- How You Can Help
- In Case You Missed It
Dear Friends,
The holiday season is upon us, and I want to thank you for your support throughout this year. Because of you, we were able to keep our health centers open and provide sexual and reproductive health care to everyone who came to us. Our Education and Training team provided thousands of young people with age-appropriate, medically accurate information so they can make informed decisions about their bodies. Additionally, our Public Affairs team engaged thousands of activists and provided critical information about access to care in our region, state, and across the country.
Looking ahead to 2022, I hope I can count on your continued support as we plan to expand our prenatal care program, our peer educator program, and advocate for comprehensive sex education for all New York students. We have a number of events planned for next year and I am hopeful we will be able to gather together in person.
Thank you again for your continued support of PPHP and our mission to empower individuals to determine their own sexual health and reproductive futures. I encourage you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to stay up-to-date on what is happening at PPHP and issues related to sexual and reproductive health care.
Happy holidays,
Vincent Russell
President & CEO
December 1 commemorated World AIDS Day and this year’s theme was Global solidarity, shared responsibility. This comes at a pivotal time, as the U.S. works to rebuild its standing on the world stage, and the global COVID-19 pandemic serves as a daily reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe.
We cannot leave people behind in our response to HIV/AIDS if we are going to end the epidemic. We must eliminate stigma and discrimination, highlight the experiences of people living with or affected by HIV, and put human rights and gender-responsive approaches at the forefront of our efforts. That includes ensuring that the sexual and reproductive health and rights of people living with or at risk for HIV are respected and protected.
For too long, the global HIV response has failed to meet the needs of adolescent girls and young women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other key communities, like sex workers, people who use drugs, people who are incarcerated, and certain Indigenous or ethnic communities who face elevated risk. Now is the time to recommit to global coordination and meaningful action.
To truly demonstrate solidarity and shared responsibility in the global fight to end the HIV epidemic, the U.S. must take swift action by:
- robustly investing in evidence-based HIV programs that meet the holistic needs of people living with and most at risk for HIV, including their right to sexual and reproductive health care and education;
- actively coordinating with the international community and collaborating through the UN system; and
- permanently ending policy barriers like the Title X and global gag rules, which disrupt a range of health services, including HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment.
At Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, we provide HIV counseling and testing, prevention medications including PEP and PrEP, and Rapid Initiation of Anti-Retroviral (RIA) therapy. These services are available to all individuals regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, or ability to pay in our 10 health centers and through our telehealth service. We are proud to do our part in working to end this global epidemic in our local communities.
You can learn more about HIV prevention at www.pphp.org.
Promotoraes Peer Education Program Launching in 2022
Our Education and Training team has formed a partnership with Pace University to launch our Promotoræs program. This program is a peer health education program for young Latino/Latina/Latinx adults, ages 18 to 25, within Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Suffolk counties.
The program aims to decrease reproductive health disparities that exist in low-income, uninsured, and undocumented populations within the Latino/Latina/Latinx community by giving Promotoræs participants comprehensive reproductive health education training. Promotoraes then in turn provide ongoing peer health education in Spanish within their communities. Training topics include contraception, consent, healthy relationships, sexually transmitted infections, access to reproductive health care, and gender and sexuality. Promotoræs will also heavily focus on specific issues the Latino/Latina/Latinx population may face regarding sexual and reproductive health and work to minimize these issues within their own communities, such as lack of access to preventive care such as mammograms and pap tests. The program will launch in February 2022.
You are invited to our annual Roe on the Rocks event, celebrating the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Our virtual event will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It will be evening you don’t want to miss as we will discuss the current state of abortion access across the country and what we can do to protect it.
Due to last year’s success, we will be offering a Party in a Box so you can really celebrate at home. You can purchase your Party in a Box at www.pphp.org/Roe2022. Individual tickets to the event are available at no cost but you must preregister to be given the event link. You can register at www.pphp.org/Roe2022.
More details about guest speakers and local artists will be coming soon! We look forward to seeing you on January 20, 2022!
We have exciting events planned for 2022! Be sure to mark your calendars and check your email for more details and ticket and sponsorship opportunities.
The Spring Benefit
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
The Founder’s Room at the Paramount Theatre, Huntington
Honoring Evelyn Gay
The East End Benefit
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
The Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club, Bridgehampton
Honoring Sandy Perlbinder
The Summer Benefit
Honoring Ida and Robert Gordon and Roberta Gordon
More information to come.
The Empower Gala
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
The Sleepy Hollow Hotel and Conference Center, Tarrytown
For more information, visit our Calendar of Events. We look forward to seeing you in 2022!
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 Chief Medical Officer Dr. Meera Shah:
Zerlina on The Choice: interview with PPHP’s Dr. Meera Shah
Newsy Tonight Interviews Dr. Meera Shah
Ms.: N.Y. Lawmakers and Activists Speak Out for Abortion Rights and Reproductive Justice
[Content Warning] Scary Mommy: New Report Highlights Importance Of Acceptance For Intersex Youths