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