Welcome to the latest updates from the Community Engagement team at Planned Parenthood! Each month, we will share updates regarding our volunteer activities around the STL Metro Region and provide a glimpse at future opportunities to get involved.
Condom Crawl 2019
April was National GYT Month: Get Yourself Tested! On April 12, our St. Louis volunteers took to the streets distributing safer sex kits containing condoms, lube, and educational information to bar-goers and reminding them of the importance of getting tested for our annual Condom Crawl! Volunteers split up to stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in five St. Louis neighborhoods: The Grove, Cherokee Street, South Grand, Central West End, and Soulard. Check out the photos above of our incredible volunteers from the event!
St. Louis Earth Day Festival
Planned Parenthood participated in the annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival in Forest Park. Our volunteers led our booth at this two-day event on April 27 and 28. Seventeen volunteers, including 10 of our volunteer leaders known as “table captains,” educated the public on our services, handed out safer sex kits and other promotional items, and collected over 400 petitions. Thank you to all our incredible table captains and volunteers who made the event a success!
Volunteer of the Month
Each month we highlight one outstanding Planned Parenthood Volunteer. This month's Volunteer of the Month is Allysa! Read our Q&A with Allysa below to learn more about her and her volunteering experience!
Q: Why is it important for you to volunteer at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region?
I think it's important to volunteer at Planned Parenthood because patients deserve access to health care without fear of harassment. People often forget that Planned Parenthood provides many vital health services in addition to women's health services. I chose to become a clinic escort because I wanted to take part in ensuring patients are able to comfortably access health care without any outside pressure or influence to bias what should be a personal medical decision.
Q: Do you have a favorite volunteer experience with Planned Parenthood?
I would say my favorite thing about volunteering at Planned Parenthood was meeting the other volunteers. I especially enjoyed meeting older volunteers and learning about their life experiences. I met a woman who was the first female employee in her male-dominated company. I learned about what it was like for another volunteer to grow up in a conservative family and how they handled the polarity in their family's political views. Hearing about the older generation's experiences with these issues inspires me to work harder to help reduce disparities in health care.
Q: What else would you like to share about volunteering with Planned Parenthood?
I think that Planned Parenthood is a great organization that provides affordable health care to many people. I hope that many other people consider volunteering here because both the cause and the people who work here are amazing.
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
We are preparing for another busy outreach season here at Planned Parenthood! Check out some of our upcoming events and dates below. We also have recurring phone banks, and we are always in need of assistance with the assembly of safer sex kits and data entry throughout the spring and summer. Keep up-to-date by signing up for opportunities to volunteer. If you have any questions about our volunteer programs, please contact Brenda Suhan at 314-531-7526 ext. 358.
May 8 - #StopTheBans Day of Action - Jefferson City (carpool available)
May 13 - Safer Sex Kit Assembly Party - Planned Parenthood Central West End
May 18 - Community Women Against Hardship Walk-A-Thon and Health Fair -Tower Grove Park
May 30 - Amanda Palmer’s “There Will Be No Intermission” Tour in St. Louis - The Pageant
Brenda Suhan is the Lead Certified Application Counselor and Organizer with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.
Tags: volunteer, Volunteering
