a 72-year-old volunteer. 1 up to 16 weeks (second trimester). , Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Wade has made abortion clinic escorts' jobs harder — and protests much scarier. He says no women seeking care were at the clinic at the time. 1st Trimester abortion procedure up to 12 weeks LMP w/ IV Sedation/twilight: $575: 2nd Trimester abortion procedure 12. But the Hope Medical Group for Women faces a looming court. The clinic, which. She says she was formerly. on Saturday, Feb. By Lucy Marques. We do not engage with the protesters. PPIL volunteers tabling at events and festivals, providing support at our administrative offices, and serving as clinic escorts at our health centers. Nicole "Sevi" Sevillano (middle), an abortion volunteer. Started in 2016, we have evolved to over 100 escorts, at 3 health centers around the state of Arizona, escorting almost 16,000 patients annually. S. Abortion clinic escort Jaime Cantrell calls herself "an angry feminist" when asked why she chose to volunteer at Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, La. 8, 2023, challenging the state’s sweeping abortion ban, saying the right to terminate a pregnancy is crucial for people to “control their lives. Abortion clinic escort Jaime Cantrell calls herself "an angry feminist" when asked why she chose to volunteer at Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, La. They may be wearing vests that say "Clinic Escorts" (usually rainbow-colored) or something else that identifies them as clinic "greeters". host parties. Editor's note: The subject of this article is. Diversity is a core value at Hope Clinic. If you’re interested becoming a clinic escort check out our volunteer page and fill out the form. If you don’t live in the Triangle or Charlotte, you can email your local clinic and ask if they need volunteers. The Thomas More Society, a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm, has delivered a new tool for pro-life advocates in their efforts to reach abortion-minded women and men. 10 min. A man who allegedly assaulted a volunteer escort at a Philadelphia abortion clinic last year is facing federal charges in the incident outside the Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Blackwell Health. When volunteering at an abortion clinic, you’ll most likely be trained to escort patients in and out of the building, assist in data entry, and help organize educational programs as well. " on the indictment), was familiar with Houck because the two crossed paths at the Philadelphia abortion clinic many times previously. Volunteer escorts typically walk patients to and from the doors of abortion providers. The FACE Act prohibits “violent, threatening, damaging, and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with the. L. With the overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022, anti-abortion lawmakers in the North Carolina legislature passed SB20 in May 2023, the first new abortion restrictions in our state since the 2015-16 legislative session. Please look for our volunteers in the rainbow vests. The volunteers erect fabric barriers in the parking area to give patients more privacy. ” on the indictment), was familiar with Houck because the two crossed paths at the Philadelphia abortion clinic many times previously. Donate to an independent clinic in your state or to your local abortion funds. Planned Parenthood. In states where abortion is still legal or not banned outright, volunteer clinic escorts walk patients to and from the abortion providers' doors as a protective reassurance against. We offer abortion up to 24 weeks in pregnancy as well as a full range of reproductive healthcare services. Clinic Escort Training January 23, 2024 6:00 PM. Sep 12, 2023. Lobbying. Our volunteers support us in various ways throughout the year. Choose how you want to help, whenever you. Volunteers in this position serve for 12 months and must be available on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Join Planned Parenthood supporters across the state for events and actions. There to assist patients of the center will be the Louisville Clinic Escorts, a group of volunteers who accompany women to the doors of the clinic, often in the face of insults and shouting. . The presence of Windsor and other volunteer escorts marks a new phase in the dynamics around the clinic, which opened in 1975. Community Outreach – canvassing, tabling, etc. If you have any questions about our volunteer program, please. But as more clinics close, such volunteers are navigating an increasingly precarious reality. Your health is your future, no matter who you are or where you come from. Abortion funds need financial support, but they also need more people-power to meet the increased demand they are expected to get. Escorts operate in partnership with the clinics. Escorts don't engage with protesters, said Catherine Conlan, a longtime clinic volunteer, but people still find the content compelling. We look forward to working with you some day! “Volunteering. Fill out our volunteer application so we can reach out and get you started. Volunteer with Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund: Take action to defend and expand reproductive rights and access to reproductive healthcare. Abortion Doula Program (Memphis only. We are abortion clinic escorts and defenders located in Orlando, FL. The attorneys have released the Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania “Patient Escort Training Manual,” which details expected behavior by. Patient Greeters/Escorts welcome patients, their companions, and other visitors into and out of Planned Parenthood health centers. Join our Fundraising Event Committee to help us raise money directly for women seeking abortion care (from New Jersey and from other states) 3. Health center staff can also answer any questions you may have. Book an Appointment. Each Tuesday, the clinic performed abortion s. He was also a clinic escort at his local women’s health center in Pensacola, Fla. It will include administration support for developing our active membership base and assistance in our current campaign to defend and extend abortion rights. Escorts keep coming back, despite the mental toll. L. Here is a list of abortion funds across the country from the National Network of Abortion Funds. Clinic escorts are a friendly face and a barrier. Breen, however, categorized the abortion escort. Mike Lee accused the Justice Department of "overreach" after federal authorities arrested an anti-abortion protester for allegedly assaulting an elderly Planned Parenthood volunteer twice. As clinic escorts, we volunteer to protect patients from the harassment of nasty, misogynistic, and sometimes violent protestors as they seek family planning services with the support of their doctor. We are a state-licensed ambulatory surgery center with more than 40 staff members. Wade, abortion clinics, like those operated by Planned Parenthood, and the protests they attract have become an even more potent symbol of the. of Central Florida aims to provide patients safe access to critical medical and abortion care. Since 2011, 19 licensed abortion clinics have closed in Florida. , resident was arrested Sept. Right here in New York City, patients are being targeted, harassed, and intimidated by protesters who line the sidewalks outside women’s health clinics. That day, they wore brightly striped vests and had set up speakers blasting songs by Prince and Journey, an attempt to drown out the protesters. Many clinics, including Planned Parenthood and A Woman’s Choice locations, have clinic escorts: volunteers who help patients safely get inside clinics, especially when there are protesters outside. Clinic escorts are not there to debate the "antis" (our term for those who come to clinics to persuade patients and companions not to enter). You can get an in-clinic abortion at many Planned Parenthood health centers. The U. Health Center Escort: Escort volunteers ensure that patients, their guests, and staff can safely and comfortably access PPCW health. By Lucy Marques. “Sometimes it feels like you are in one of those American states on the frontline of the abortion wars such as Texas. The New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, an abortion fund provider, is expanding its services to Las Cruces. We generally meet virtually on the second Tuesday of every month from 7:30-8:45PM. One of their primary duties is to escort patients to and from the abortion clinic. Clinic escorts are invaluable volunteers who help make safe, legal abortion possible. The protestors were a lot closer than they were supposed to be as myself and one of the volunteer escorts (my escort lol) approached the front of the clinic. A clinic escort is a volunteer who greets patients, help direct traffic and assist with parking, and provide in person direct support to people encountering abusive protests on their way to abortion care providers. Now Houck faces a decade in prison as a result. Our group is focused on non-engagement and de-escalation: This will not be a space where you counter protest, argue with protesters. Breen, however, categorized the abortion escort as “extremely aggressive,” saying Love was “harassing” Houck’s 12-year-old son before an “altercation ensued. Call. Houck is facing bogus charges that he violated the federal FACE law when he was helping women outside an abortion center. That’s the case in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Kristin Cassell volunteers as an escort on Saturdays at A Woman’s Choice—the only abortion clinic in the city. Clinic. Sign up to get involved as a volunteer. Become an abortion clinic escort. Photo Composite by The Daily Beast, Courtesy of Christie BurkhartVolunteer escorts who help patients access abortion clinics say they are facing more threats and violence from anti-abortion. A Home Here is a space for people to feel safe and at home within themselves to speak about their experiences with abortion care. Nearly a dozen fellow escorts and I stand outside of the clinic, donning neon yellow vests, and we walk with patients and their companions past the scores of protesters to the door of the clinic. If being a Patient Greeter or Escort isn’t the right fit for you, we also need volunteers to work on social media content and event planning. “Early” surgical abortions are available to women 6 weeks up to 12 weeks pregnant, and surgical abortions for more advanced pregnancies (second trimester) from 12. Volunteer. We’ll do whatever it takes to protect abortion access and expand reproductive care — but we urgently need your help. We need volunteers to share their stories about getting care at Planned Parenthood. She was greeted by the facility’s clinic escorts — volunteers whose job it is to help patients safely enter and exit the facility. Barrett’s father, James, was an Air Force veteran, community volunteer and friendly septuagenarian. One way to help and make a real difference in women's lives is to. Sign up to fight back against the threats to abortion access — there's a role for everyone to protect sexual and reproductive health care. My husband worked as a musician, I made a living as a writer, and we were the overjoyed and exhausted parents of a 9. S. (Dylan Lovan / AP Photo) This article appears in the. And if you're able and feel safe doing so, you can volunteer in person to help people access abortion. Línea directa en español: 844. Cassell. The indictment against Houck claims he “assaulted” the man only “because Love was a volunteer at the abortion clinic”. Volunteers are needed at an abortion and women's healthcare clinic in Jacksonville. Find Abortion Provider. , 26, is a volunteer escort at the clinic. Nearly two weeks after the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision was overturned, the abortion clinic is still providing abortions. Pro-Choice Missouri’s signature Clinic Escort Program has been. Petersburg watch anti-abortion protesters from the back gate of Bread and Roses Woman's Health Center in. L. She has been heartened by the increased interest—17 people showed up to her last training, compared with the 6-7 she was. The Triangle Abortion Access Coalition and the Charlotte Reproductive Action Network are two organizations operating in NC that coordinate clinic escort volunteers. But the Hope Medical Group for Women faces a looming court. I didn’t volunteer on Saturday — the start of Mother’s Day weekend — but those who did reported seeing. ”Volunteers play a vital role in advancing the mission of Planned Parenthood South Texas to provide and protect the health care and information people need to plan their families and their futures. Get Involved. Volunteer escorts gather outside Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge, one of three facilities that perform abortions in Louisiana. Our support line can be reached at (503) 610-0692 PPLA has limited volunteer opportunities in administration, advocacy, education, and fundraising. An anti-abortion protester was arrested in Pennsylvania on Friday and hit with federal charges after he allegedly shoved an elderly Planned Parenthood volunteer to the ground last October. The legal team explained, "Among the alarming cases in which Thomas More Society attorneys have represented pro-life advocates against despicable behavior by volunteer abortion 'escorts,' Breen. The U. Or call 1-800-230-7526. What is clinic escorting? Clinic escorts accompany patients seeking abortion care on the walk from their transportation to the clinic, during which it’s likely the patient will encounter S. FILE - An abortion-rights demonstrator holds a sign during a rally, May 14, 2022, in Chattanooga, Tenn. As the Supreme Court considers overturning Roe vs. One of their primary duties is to escort patients to and from the abortion clinic. 1, 2022. While only 20 escorts were out on Saturday, the program has hundreds of people within their sign-up system, the escort. Mark Houck, of Kintnersville, shook hands. Support our nonprofit reporting. SWAN, a volunteer-based group of escorts who protect patients from. The prosecution claims that Houck shoved volunteer abortion escort, Bruce Love, 72, after he allegedly yelled at the pro-life activist’s 12-year-old son. Clinic escorts--everyday volunteers who shepherd patients safely inside to receive care--are fighting on the front lines by replacing hostility with humanity. In response to the new abortion clinics opening in Las Cruces, NMRCRC, which offers logistical help in the form of travel, hotel, food and an escort to the clinic, is looking to expand its. Our Volunteer Clinic Escort Program trains activists to safely escort people seeking abortion care into abortion clinics. “This probably is connected with a case of an escort who provoked Mark at the Appletree abortion center,” according to an email from Fr. Join Stanton Strong’s Action Committee to help us fight back on the state and federal level through legislative advocacy. I am an abortion clinic escort and have been for 14 years now. According to the federal charges, he shoved a 72-year-old volunteer escort of abortion clinic patients to the ground, which “resulted in bodily injury. Wade, and some predict things will only get worse. Become a Planned Parenthood volunteer! We need to march, mobilize, text, call, and do everything we can to show support for reproductive health and rights in Wisconsin. A clinic escort is a volunteer who greets patients, help direct traffic and assist with parking, and provide in person direct support to people encountering abusive protests on their way to abortion care providers. They will guide you to the clinic parking lot and escort you into and out of the clinic. Letter Writing. The new book, written by a former clinic escort, describes the risks volunteers face and the humanity with which they bypass protesters who are intent on blocking the clinic door. Media Coverage Contact VOLUNTEER Clinic Escorts. Community members can join us as radical changemakers by volunteering to provide logistical support (Practical Support Volunteer), advocate. Many who work and volunteer at abortion clinics say that anti-abortion-rights demonstrators were emboldened by the election of former president Donald Trump, and statistics support their personal. You can volunteer as a clinic escort at our Cherry Hill, Hartford or Philadelphia locations! Escorts make up a team of indispensable volunteers whose role is to welcome patients and guests to our Center and make parking and entry swift. Filter By All Telehealth In-person. . But because of who was involved — Mark Houck, a prominent Catholic antiabortion activist, and Bruce Love, a Planned Parenthood patient escort volunteer — and where their fracas occurred — just steps from the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center, a reproductive health clinic that provides abortion services in Center City — the incident is. Volunteer. This space is intentionally curated to be inclusive, supportive, and open, without any judgment. Volunteers say Oklahoma's new near-ban on abortions has effected change already, forcing the Roe Fund effort in midtown Tulsa to switch from "clinic escort" to "clinic defender. Escorts who recall volunteering before and after the FACE Act told Rankin that anti-abortion legislators and activists seemed to take their cues from each other, almost “doing a dance together. government alleges that Houck assaulted and “forcefully shoved” Bruce Love, a 72-year-old volunteer at a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood. For seven years, Women’s Justice NOW was proud to provide on-the-ground volunteer clinic escorts every single Saturday morning to guide and support patients. , where abortion clinics face regular protests, said that “Across the Line” resonated deeply with her because of its portrayal of anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers trying to lure patients away from the clinic. No special skills to volunteer, just a desire to help. . The morning after the deadliest attack ever against abortion providers, employees and volunteers at Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health clinics across the country went back to work.