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