Grassroots Organizer Stacy Sherrod and I have been busy and wanted to share some news about our great volunteers, upcoming opportunities to get involved, and how we have been involved with the community.
Upcoming Events
Monday, May 14 - Volunteer Night
We are gearing up for The Greater Ozarks Pridefest! This is one of our biggest events of the year. We would love for you to come to our Volunteer Night on Monday, May 14 to learn more about our plans for the event. We've also just wrapped up the 2018 Legislative Session, so we'll have updates of what laws passed this year. RSVP for Volunteer Night here.
Wednesday, May 23 - Safe Sex Kit Assembly Night
Help us get ready for Pridefest and assemble safe-sex kits in our health center. We will have all the supplies you need to make the kits and help Springfield stay healthy! Help us make safe-sex kits and RSVP here.
Other Opportunities
We are also working to ensure our patients are registered to vote in the important upcoming election. If you would like to help register voters in our health center, contact Christen Moore for more information.
To stay up to date on all of our upcoming events, visit our website to learn more about Planned Parenthood's efforts.
Discussing Maternal and Infant Mortality
Planned Parenthood partnered with Southwest Missouri NOW and NAACP Springfield to host Reproaction’s screening of "The Naked Truth: Death by Delivery" on Sunday, April 15. More than 50 community members attended the screening and discussion.
The film addresses racial health disparities that place Black women at four times the risk of white women to die from pregnancy-related issues. At a time when our lawmakers have been focusing on restricting access to health care, especially safe and legal abortion, Death by Delivery calls for a shift in public policy to improve the lives of women, especially Black women, in our state.
“The film and panel discussion were a great opportunity to raise awareness to the real effects of structural racism in the United States," Springfield resident Lexi Amos said following the discussion. “Our maternal health care system is in crisis and it is time to work to address the issue.” The panel included Carla Lantz, RN, MSN, CNM, Planned Parenthood in Springfield; Sabrina Brinson, PhD, Missouri State University; Dr. David Derosset, PhD, Drury University; Tehesha Stegall, MSN, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, with Dee Ogilvy moderating. Planned Parenthood had an information table staffed by volunteer Sabrina Bonnette and both Planned Parenthood and NAACP offered voter registration. Thanks to Reproaction Organizer Evonnia Woods for bringing this opportunity to Southwest Missouri.
Planned Parenthood in the Community
We were proud to have been a part of the first 417 Day celebration in Fassnight Park. This was a community event hosted by the group Real Love Equals Real Change. We were able to connect with members of the community at our table, and give out information about our patient services. The event was open to all members of the community, and the organizers worked hard to make it a success. We look forward to participating in their future community events.
Christen Moore is the Lead Navigator and Volunteer Coordinator for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.
Tags: Volunteering, SWMO, Springfield, Joplin, Outreach
