Insider News February 2023
In this issue:
- President & CEO Message
- Health Care: National Condom Week
- Education: Program Graduates Reach New Heights
- Advocacy & Government Relations: Celebrating Reproductive Freedom Victories
- You can continue to make Care. No Matter What. possible!
- In Case You Missed It
Dear Friends,
This month is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the brilliance, beauty, and accomplishments of Black people. As we continuously see, Black communities, and Black women in particular, are leaders of justice and social change.
Because of systemic racism in health care, getting sexual and reproductive services is a social justice issue in Black communities. This month is a time for us to reflect on PPHP’s ongoing commitment to provide high-quality, compassionate health care to all people, regardless of their race.
One health care issue that continues to disproportionately impact the Black community is maternal mortality. The risk of pregnancy-related death for Black women is three times higher than that of white women. This shocking statistic highlights implicit bias and racism in health care delivery as well as barriers to health care access. PPHP is proud to offer prenatal health care services at several of our health care centers as a preventative care intervention. At our New Rochelle health care center, we offer the CenteringPregnancy program, a unique group prenatal care that has been shown to nearly eliminate racial disparities in preterm birth.
I encourage all of our supporters to take some time this month to reflect on how the health care needs of Black communities can be better met.
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: National Condom Week
National Condom Week is February 14 through 21. We’re taking this week to remind everyone about the many benefits of using condoms. Here are a few:
- Condoms are the only methods of birth control that also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI).
- Condoms can be used with another type of birth control, like birth control pills or an IUD.
- Condoms are easy to get at your local drugstore, grocery store, gas station, or PPHP health center.
- Condoms can help increase pleasure, as they come in different styles, shapes, and textures.
To learn more about condoms and other ways to prevent pregnancy and STIs, visit our website or call 800-230-PLAN to make an appointment at your local health center today.
Education: Program Graduates Reach New Heights
January was a very exciting month for our Education and Training Team. Two groups of recent graduates from our Promotores and Teen Information and Peer Services (TIPS) programs have taken their skills to lead their communities.
Our Promotores graduates, who are now officially peer health educators for Latino/a/x adults, have begun facilitating workshops in Suffolk County. These new educators are fearlessly advocating in their networks and have begun outreach to secure programs in Suffolk County high schools and community-based organizations.
TIPS program graduates (or as we know them “TIPSters”), attended Day of Action in Albany with us. These high school students were able to witness a live vote in the Assembly chamber, hear New York State legislators speak, and most importantly speak to the legislators themselves. The students thought it was special and important being able to attend Day of Action, and we hope that this experience continues to empower their strong voices in the years to come!
We also want to give a special shout out to two of our health educators. Our Community Health Educator was selected to facilitate at Pride Works Annual conference in March, where they will lead a workshop called, “Beyond Inclusion: LGBTQIA Affirming Sex Ed.” We are so proud and excited for this opportunity. Additionally, our Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) Health Educator completed two cycles of our Evidence Based Programming, Be Proud Be Responsible! and combined with our general education programming, reached over 1,200 students in Suffolk County. Our PREP team’s consistency and persistence in Suffolk County’s shifting political landscape has reaped great success.
For more on PPHP's education and training programs, visit our website here.
Advocacy & Government Relations: Celebrating Reproductive Freedom Victories
Our Advocacy & Government Relations team successfully completed Day of Action in Albany on January 24, the first in-person version of this event in three years. Activists were thrilled to connect with state legislators and fellow advocates beyond a Zoom screen. During Day of Action, our team witnessed a legislative priority win in real time when the New York State Legislature passed the Equal Rights Amendment. Voters will now have the chance to vote for equality protections to be added to the State Constitution on the 2024 ballot.
This month, we’re excited to offer a virtual Storytelling Training on Monday, February 20. Storytelling is a powerful activist tool to share with others why we care about reproductive freedom in a way that spurs them to action. If you can answer the question "Why do I care about reproductive freedom?", you have a story to tell! You can sign up to join us here.
Today is also the deadline to apply to the Comprehensive Sex Education Community Action Council (CAC). The CAC works to recruit community members, organizations, and elected officials to commit their support to comprehensive sex education. If you’re interested in working on this important issue, submit an interest form today!
Check out our Monthly Activist Calendar for more ways to get involved in PPHP Advocacy efforts.
PPHP’s 90th Anniversary: A Moment in History
In honor of PPHP’s 90th Anniversary, we will be answering a question about our organization’s history each month.
Where does the name “Hudson Peconic” come from?
In 1998, Planned Parenthood Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam merged with Planned Parenthood Suffolk County to form Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc. The name comes from the two main waterways that geographically define each of the regions served by the original affiliates: the Hudson River and the Peconic Bay.
Be sure to mark your calendars and share these events with your friends and famil.
Storytelling Activist Training
Monday, February 20, 2023
Virtual
Register here
Making Waves in Huntington
Thursday, May 11, 2023
The Vanderbilt Museum, Centerport
More information here
Making Waves: PPHP’s Hamptons Benefit
Saturday, June 3, 2023
The Clubhouse, East Hampton
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 in the News:
Roe decision turns 50: Dividing lines on abortion rights issue remain intact (news12.com)
Renovated Planned Parenthood reopens in West Islip | Long Island Business News (libn.com)
West Islip Planned Parenthood Reopens After Months of Renovations | West Islip, NY Patch
Additional News:
These Black Doulas Are Determined To Change The Record On Black Maternal Health (buzzfeednews.com)
We Probably Won’t End the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. by 2030. So What Happens Now? (thebody.com)