Hello all! My name is Alyssa Ortega; I am a recent graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Anthropology with a minor in Latin American Studies. I am an intern at the Planned Parenthood Harrisburg location within the Health Center Advocacy Program. Prior to this internship, I didn’t really know what to expect. Health Center Advocacy? What does that even mean? Doesn’t everyone want everyone to be healthy? I have quickly understood that this is not the immediate case. I have found there are “loop-holes” in an individual's thinking. It’s interesting to me that there are a lot of “but …” statements after someone states their opinion. “Well I think that abortion is someone’s choice, but …” “Birth control is an effective way to prevent pregnancy, but …”. And I can say, I was one of those people, I always thought there were exceptions to every situation. And I have heard all sides of the argument, but what it boils down to, what’s the most important thing?

 The most important thing is that we have access to safe, affordable, and attainable health facilities. That is what this internship is all about - we do Healthy Neighborhood Canvasses every weekend and have been tabling at different health fairs around the area, in an attempt to promote the services of Planned Parenthood and let the community know that we are out here for them. This internship has tested my opinions, beliefs and personal demeanor in a positive way, and I have found out that there is much more to Planned Parenthood than meets the eye.  I have sharpened my  skills and education to know what is going on in our political system, but I have also been introduced to  the tools that are necessary to defend my rights as a female needing these services, Also, I am now more comfortable helping others with their rights as healthy teens, men, and women, aside from knowing about the different ways that Planned Parenthood has positively affected the lives around the communities in which their offices are located.

Going into the health center, seeing all of the different people, of all ages, sex, gender and sex orientation, as well as race, it has definitely expanded my need to want to fight for a safer and healthier environment where anyone and everyone can handle their health as they please. That is the whole point of this internship. I was able to see how our health facilities are greatly impacting everyone who steps through those doors and it is inspiring. We are here to promote this organization that offers different services that can preserve the reproductive rights and choices of women and men around Pennsylvania and around the country. What this internship has taught me so far is to be a more independent woman, and to be more aware of the political climate that is around me. Although, I feel like reproductive rights are a social issue and should stay out of the political debates, it will be a part of the political arguments for a while, and I should be prepared with the facts and figures. Because of my choice to become a part of this organization and dedicate time to this important fight, it is my duty to be an advocate, a friend, and more importantly a voice to the individuals who feel like they are not being heard. I am more than proud to say that I Stand With Planned Parenthood.  

Last week, I spent four days in the nation’s capital with a few hundred young people in pink for PPFA’s 2013 Youth Organizing and Policy Conference. Most of the college-aged attendees were active leaders in their VOX chapters, campus health centers, and similar campus organizations. Also in attendance were young volunteers or interns, like ourselves, with their local Planned Parenthood or the D.C. office.

A lot happened and many influential people spoke, so I’ll try to stick to the highlights.

Wednesday evening kicked off with a few speakers and ended with a performance by Sonya Renee—slam poet and activist—who performed several empowering original works.

            

That night, I met my roommate, Katie from Alabama, who taught me what it’s like to be a liberal, progressive mind in an overwhelmingly conservative state and campus environment.     Thursday opened with a speech from Cecile Richards, the president of PPFA. It was Lobby Day, and a group of seven Pennsylvanian’s took over two representatives’ offices. The other state groups met with two or more congressmen and congresswomen to talk about the Affordable Care Act, Title X funding, and other state-specific issues. The PA group had a successful, albeit brief, meeting with Democrat Rep. Cartwright.  Next, we met with Republican Rep. Dent for about half-an-hour.  Rep. Dent has been a strong supporter, even crossing party lines to support Planned Parenthood’s mission.  Both meetings were positive and informative, while establishing good relations between our organization and their legislative office. Thursday also included a talk by California Rep. Linda Sanchez on being an unassuming female legislator.

            

Friday was full of a variety of presentations to choose from. The one I led with Corbin Knight-Dixon (Lead Outreach and Education Coordinator from PP Illinois), entitled “Sex Education and Advocacy in the Internet Age,” went splendidly. I feel lucky to have worked on and presented a workshop with him.        And Friday night closed with a dance party at DC9, where progressive hip-hop artist and beat box master Christylez Bacon performed for an hour, awing us with his talents of improvisation and spoon-playing.

            

Saturday morning included a tai-chi energizer led by Rosie Abriam and a brunch talk by Dawn Laguens, the Exec. Vice President of PPFA.

            

Overall, it was an incredible refreshing experience filled with strong, determined people that provided positive advice and encouragement from the reproductive justice community.

- AJ F., Harrisburg Health Center Advocacy Intern

HCAP at Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania

My experience as a Health Center Advocacy intern has been excellent

so far. I am so grateful to have learned so much and it's only been five weeks!

As a recent graduate from the Public Health department of Temple

University, I have always had a passion for helping communities

improve their health outcome. I've always thought to achieve this

through health initiatives and educational classes. However, it's

important to let communities know about existing programs they can

use to achieve better health. This is why the Health Center Advocacy

Program is so great.

Along with fellow interns and volunteers, we are going out into the

community and letting individuals know about the variety of health

services they can access at their local Planned Parenthood health

centers.

My experience at the Upper Darby neighborhood canvass on Saturday,

June 15th was a perfect example of this. My fellow HCAP interns,

volunteers and I went out into the community to talk about the new

health center on 7200 Chestnut Street and handout coupons for health

services. While canvassing, there were many individuals, usually the

elderly, who were quick to make comments like "Planned Parenthood? Oh

I am way too old for that, honey" or "Thank you but I'm done making

kids".

However, I quickly assured these individuals that Planned Parenthood

offered more than reproductive services. I also mentioned that they

could pass the information to friends or family members who may need

it!

Who can say no to a coupon?! Once I made that point, the kind folks in

Upper Darby were eager and willing to pass information on to friends

and family members! I hope that the new health center sees an influx of

new patients and that the Upper Darby community are closer to achieving a

better health outcome.

I am excited to see how the rest of the Health Center Advocacy

Program turns out!

Tahirah C., Philadelphia Health Center Advocacy Intern

Hello All! My name is Nicole and I’m an intern for Planned Parenthood’s Health Center Advocacy Program, acting out of Allentown. Before starting this internship, I most looked forward to reaching out to patients inside the Health Center. I learned during Action Camp that before Planned Parenthood began community outreach through the health centers, the majority of Planned Parenthood supporters were older white women. This program was created so that this organization’s advocacy arm more reflected the diversity of its patient population. I found this very admirable and it ignited my excitement to reach out to patients.

I have to admit, at first, it was awkward. In-center tabling is vastly different from canvassing or even tabling in another arena. People are not (for the most part) coming up to you. And you don’t have that easy ice-breaker of knocking on someone’s door. Most likely they were not expecting to do anything related anything to do with Planned Parenthood’s advocacy that day. At first, I couldn't get over this feeling that I would be an unwanted presence in the Health Center.

My intern partner, Elizabeth, and I thought being direct would be the best approach and I cannot believe how well it worked out. The last time I was in the health center was especially exceptional. I split my time between helping the staff with some filing and tabling in the health center. Elizabeth had printed a bunch of new patient story sheets and I was excited to let patients know they could share their story. After getting over some initial apprehension, I started informing patients directly that they could share their experience with Planned Parenthood. The response was overwhelming.

In the short amount of time I spent tabling that day, I got five new patient stories submitted. Patient stories show how integral the services this organization provides are to their community. Whenever there’s an attempt to defund or limit funding for Planned Parenthood, it’s important to see how people’s lives are dependent on these services.

My excitement continued when I typed the patient stories. After reading people’s enthusiastic appreciation for Planned Parenthood and how safe and well-taken care of this organization makes them feel, I definitely no longer feel out of place in the health center. 

- Nicole M., Allentown HCAP Intern

My name is Chris and I am serving the Lancaster and Harrisburg offices of Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania. I just finished my sophomore year at Franklin & Marshall College and I am a Public Health Major. I am a member of the Archery team as well as the Student Health Advisory Community and work with the Sports Medicine department. I joined Planned Parenthood this summer, because the internship is a great way to connect what I am learning in the classroom with work that helps my community.

During Action Camp, a three day long training at the beginning of the internship, we shared stories of why and how we came to intern with Planned Parenthood. We were told to provide a personal story that we could share and use to connect with other individuals. I tried to come up with a specific reason for getting involved with Planned Parenthood, but for some reason I couldn't. I explained to my supervisor, Caitlin that I was having trouble with ideas for my story and she told me I could connect it to public service work as a whole. I proceeded to write about my internship at the Red Cross in Emergency Preparedness and how I could help society and my community that way.

In a breakout group, we shared our stories and I went last. After listening to everyone’s deeply personal stories, I realized that what I thought was a lack of a story- was a story. I am the only male in the internship program this summer. There is a misconception that Planned Parenthood is an organization just for women, when in reality they provide services that benefit everyone. Some of these services include testicular cancer screenings, STI tests, and general health referrals to other medical practices. The issues that Planned Parenthood advocates around impact the entire community regardless of their age, gender, or political views. By breaking down this barrier, not only will the benefits of Planned Parenthood be expanded, but the health of communities across Pennsylvania will be improved.

-Chris B., Lancaster Health Center Advocacy Intern

Goodbye Textbooks, Hello Real World!

Ever since I can remember I have been interested in politics, which is why I chose to pursue a degree in Political Science in college.  Most of the political science classes I took during my four years at college covered political/economic theory, international conflicts, court cases, federal government policies, or elections. I loved learning about all of those things but I never had the opportunity to really learn about my state or local government, or how those theories, policies, and court cases really affected individuals today.  My studies were just that—studies, I was not ‘in the thick of it’ or ‘on the ground.’  What I love so far about this internship is that it offers me so many opportunities to observe and learn about things that I never got to experience in class by getting out there and talking to the individuals whose lives are actually affected by the policies that are just a discussion for so many academics and politicians.  

There have been a few times throughout my life when I have been in a situation in which I am surrounded by a group of other people who care about politics as much as I do and Action Camp was one of these times. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by a group of people who all deeply care about women’s health and reproductive rights, who are empowered, and believe they can make a difference. We all talked openly about issues that other people would shy away from such as sex, contraception, and abortion. We also learned from the experts about how to engage others in these conversations and how to share our own stories about why we’re involved with Planned Parenthood and why we care about these issues.  After we had all thoroughly bonded with each other and put on matching t-shirts, we went out for our first canvass in Allentown (which is conveniently my hometown) during which we talked to people about the services available to them at their local health center and how they could get more involved with the organization. 

Now I have started working in the Allentown Health Center where I will be engaging patients, building relationships with organizations in the community, and planning a few more canvasses.  Although the summer has only just begun, I can tell that I am going to walk away from this internship having met some amazing women, and will have learned so many things that I could never learn by sitting in class. 

-Elizabeth S., Intern at the Allentown Health Center

HCAP Interns Will Make it Happen!

This year, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates and Association have been collaborating to implement the "Health Center Advocacy Program" (HCAP) across the state. This program, which is also finding its footing nationwide, seeks to promote Planned Parenthood's health, educational, and advocacy services; and does so through a two-fold model that has found success in states that have already initiated HCAP models. The model presented by HCAP programs incorporates both "in-center" and "community-based" approaches to promoting Planned Parenthood's services, allowing for a variety of opportunities for people and groups to get involved. Additionally, HCAP seeks to establish a supporter base that reflects the diversity of those within our communities- providing a more accurate representation of the varying groups of people who utilize our services.

The HCAP program is of huge importance to the Planned Parenthood affiliates in Pennsylvania, which is why the 2013 Summer Internship is directed at its implementation and expansion across the state. 13 interns are currently placed statewide to assist public affairs and health center staff members in health center tabling, door-to-door canvassing, and event promotion. This work is undeniably some of the most important work we are doing this year, and will be crucial in our abilities to increase supporter numbers, raise awareness about our health services, and maintain our status as a trusted healthcare provider and messenger in local communities. Without the help of our 13 brilliantly engaged interns, it would be difficult to implement and expand the program in the midst of an impending election cycle and continuous attacks from Planned Parenthood opponents. We are so thrilled to have every single one of these great young leaders on board!

Last week, we held the 2013 HCAP Internship Action Camp at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. This was a chance for all of the interns to meet each other and Planned Parenthood staff, learn more about the organization, and become familiar with the type of actions they will be taking this summer to ensure HCAP remains a priority not only internally, but throughout the many communities that we serve. Action Camp was a great success, not only because of the great organization that went into its planning and execution, but also because of the intelligent and dynamic individuals who make up our current intern-teams. In my two years with Planned Parenthood, I'm not sure I've met a more competent and engaged group of interns; and I am truly excited to see what comes of your work this summer. Planned Parenthood is lucky to have each and every one of you on the public policy team, but so are the individuals and communities that you are helping to serve! Here's to a great summer, with great interns, and great health center advocacy work. Cheers! 

--Lindsey Mauldin, Manager of Health Center Advocacy and Data Programs