WARNING: 'Crisis Pregnancy Centers' Are Not Legitimate Health Centers

It's no secret that with the current political climate, anti-choice and alt-right fanatics have been emboldened by rhetoric that enables and even encourages reckless behavior.  While this particular issue isn't exactly new, it is becoming more widespread in the face of this encouragement.

The Hendrick Hudson Buuilding
200 Broadway, Troy

The downtown Troy, NY Planned Parenthood is currently being plagued by one such anti-choice organization. They have purchased a van and are attempting to lure women away from the Troy Planned Parenthood office by offering them ultrasounds (in a van? Oh that's not creepy). This is made more confusing by the fact that the building that currently houses the Troy health center will not allow any outside branded signage, so sometimes patients aren't sure they are in the right place. We have heard reports of women being given bad directions to Planned Parenthood by the van's inhabitants, and made to wander around Troy, missing their appointments.

The van does not currently have a permit, and we don't know if there are even any legitimate trained medical professionals on board. Katherine Bruno, Chief Experience Officer for Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP), has this to say about the van:

This mobile ultrasound unit has been parked in cities across Upstate New York and is most often parked in the city of Troy very near the Planned Parenthood Health Center on Broadway.

UHPP has spoken with the Troy Mayor's Office and the City Clerk. The clerk confirms that in order for anyone to be on the streets of Troy offering services of any kind, they need a permit. This mobile unit does not have one, nor have they applied for one once it was made clear that it was required. The City Clerk has communicated this with the Deputy Mayor and the Chief of Police. All city officials are aware that the van cannot be on the street offering services of any kind without a permit.

When the van arrived on Broadway across from the UHPP Health Center entrance in July, the police were called and the police did nothing. UHPP has been reassured by city officials that this is not what is supposed to happen. Once again UHPP has voiced concern and has clarified that should the van reappear, Troy Police should ask them to leave until they acquire a permit.

These anti-choice organizations make it their mission to mislead young women. Patients reported not understanding the difference between Planned Parenthood and one of these other centers, and more and more of them are popping up around the country, a situation to which this post from Lifehacker can attest.  Apparently, one of them in West Virginia was so convincingly misleading, that they were vandalized by other anti-choice fanatics. This is the sign they put up addressing their vandals:

Kudos on the trickery, Women's Choice Pregnancy Center; it looks like it really paid off for you. In fact, the very name "Women's Choice Pregnancy Center" is a fallacy, because it implies that they actually care about women's choices.

Elizabeth Clark, Director of Media Health for Planned Parenthood, offers this advice for recognizing a phony health center:

“Crisis pregnancy centers often purposely use language, in their advertising or signs, that mimic legitimate, licensed health care providers. They use names that are similar to actual healthcare providers. Be really suspicious of what you’re reading. Crisis pregnancy centers are not required to be true medical facilities and are not required to provide accurate information about health care. Look to see if there are licensed medical staff. Are there licensed clinicians? What are the services they say they provide?”

When in doubt, call Planned Parenthood directly, at 1-800-230-PLAN, and they will help set up an appointment at your closest health center, or visit www.plannedparenthood.org and make your appointment online.  If you see something super shady, tell someone. And whatever you do, definitely don't get into some creepy van.

Cecile Richards' Troy Book Signing, and More!

This week with Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood

Make Trouble by Cecile Richards Former Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards will be in Troy for a book signing! Cecile Richards is a national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice. As President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund for more than a decade, Richards worked to increase affordable access to reproductive health care and to build a healthier and safer world for women and young people. After starting her career as a labor organizer, working with women earning the minimum wage, she went on to start her own grassroots organizations, and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In 2011 and 2012, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Richards is a frequent speaker and commentator on politics and progressive issues. Event date: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Event time: 3:30pm Event address:  Market Block Books located at 290 River Street, Troy, NY 12180 For more information click here.

#Intergenerational Story Share There is so much we can learn from the founders of the reproductive health and rights movement. The world before Roe v. Wade is one very few of us can even fathom but for these long time Planned Parenthood supporters, it is a world they know all too well. Our intergenerational story share potluck aims to bring the voices of our current advocates and the elders of the Beverwyck Community Action Council together to share stories and life experiences. The Beverwyck Community Action Council wants to hear from YOU! It's an unbelievable gift to be heard, and to hear someone else in exchange. The Beverwyck group has reserved a room and planned months in advance to make this happen - by attending this event you are committing to being a part of a broader community of activists invested in the work of Planned Parenthood. Join us at this potluck event sponsored by Friends with Benefits and the Beverwyck Community Action Council for a shared meal and invaluable conversation. **It’s important we show up for this event. Please RSVP here!  Thursday, May 17th 6:00 - 8:00 pm The Terrace at Beverwyck Retirement Community 41 Beverwyck Ln #1, Slingerlands, NY 12159 #NYS DOL One Fair Wage Hearing Join UHPP and coalition partners at the NYS DOL One Fair Wage Hearing at the Legislative Office Building at the Capital in Albany! We are joining with our coalition partners to help raise the pay of tipped workers to the full minimum wage. No worker should be at risk of wage theft, sexual harassment or discrimination. If you are interested in joining us for a rally and to attend the hearing, please RSVP HERE! We need to SHOW up for our partners in PINK! Friday May 18th 9:00 am Meet in the Well of the LOB (press conference and rally) 10:00 am hearing begins Legislative Office Building (LOB) 198 State Street Albany, NY 12210

What's Going on with UHPP?

It's a PARTY! Join Friends with Benefits and come to our Pink Party to support Planned Parenthood! Come dressed in your best pink attire and kick off the Fall with a party you don't want to miss! There will be fun drinks, music and dancing, prizes and more! Friends with Benefits members get FREE admission and discounted drinks. Make sure you wear your Friends with Benefits pin! General Admission tickets are $10. Any Friends with Benefits member who gets 1 or more friends to join Friends with Benefits between now and the event, will receive a prize at the event! Contact jonathan@uhpp.org.  Tuesday, September 12th, 6:00pm Troy Kitchen, 77 Congress Street, Troy, NY MORE INFORMATION HERE:Friends with Benefits : Pink Party  #TogetherWeFightForAll Greet the arrival of the members of the March for Justice which began in New York City and walked all the way to Albany to demand human rights for incarcerated people, justice in the system and an end to abusive prison conditions! Join us for speakers and a rally with community members from across NYS. Wednesday, September 13th, 5:00 p.m. West Capitol Park, Corner of State and S. Swan at the Capitol in Albany MORE INFORMATION HERE: March for Justice #FasoFriday Join Upper Hudson Planed Parenthood Advocates of NY, Indivisible Chatham NY, Indivisible Rensselaer (Official), Indivisible NY19, Green River Indivisible, and other coalition partners as we rally outside Representative John Faso's office in the Village of Kinderhook every Friday from noon-1pm. Bring a sign to tell Faso what you care about, or use one of the extra signs that are usually available. It's also a perfect time to stop by his office to pick up and fill out a comment form. Every Friday, 12:00pm Representative John Faso's Kinderhook Office 2 Hudson Street, Kinderhook, NY Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!   Tuesday, October 3rd 6:00pm Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy BIRTHRIGHT: A WAR STORY is a feature length documentary that examines how women are being jailed, physically violated and even put at risk of dying as the radical anti-choice movement tightens its grip across America. Tickets are $10 each, $5 for students WITH STUDENT ID. Purchase them here TODAY! http://bit.ly/2eOLOv5  Thursday, October 5th, 7:00pm Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany Join Friends with Benefits and go see Sex with Strangers. Friends with Benefits members get a discount of 10%! Check your Friends with Benefits emails or email jonathan@uhpp.org to join FWB and get the discount code.  Thursday, October 12th, 11:30am Wolferts Roost Country Club Join us at our signature event and help us embark upon our second century. Our Women’s Leadership Circle is laying the foundation for future generations to access the reproductive health care they need. We invite you to celebrate with Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood at our final event of the year! Buy your tickets TODAY!

Last chance for tickets to see movie star Kathleen Turner at the Planned Parenthood Gala!

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood invites you!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Ferris Grand Ballroom of The Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick Street in Troy

Please join Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood as we celebrate A Legacy of Choice, an evening with film and stage star, and tireless advocate for reproductive health, Kathleen Turner.

VIP cocktail reception with Ms. Turner for Honorary Committee members will be held in the Roebling Library at 6 pm.

Our Legacy of Choice dinner and program will be held in the Ferris Grand Ballroom at 6:30, including the presentation of the Giraffe Award to Ms. Turner, for sticking out her neck to support women, abortion and reproductive rights.

UHPP will also honor three amazing local volunteers who've passionately supported services and programs for the people we care for.

VIP Cocktail Reception (Honorary Committee) at 6:00 pm
General Admission Cocktail Reception at 6:30 pm
Dinner & Program at 7:00 pm

Check out this article about Kathleen Turner's involvement with Planned Parenthood, and click here to purchase tickets to the gala. If you have any questions, please call 518.434.5678 x.121.
 

Join UHPP for an inspiring movie night.

VESSEL: A fearless sea captain sails a ship through loopholes in international law, providing abortions
on the high seas, and leaving in her wake a network of emboldened activists who trust women to handle abortion on their own terms.

Thursday, April 30th at 6:30 pm at The Arts Center in Troy. Tickets: $20 per person ($10 for students). For more information visit our event page at Eventbrite.

Vessel begins with a young doctor who lived by the sea, and an unlikely idea. Rebecca Gomperts, horrified by the realities created by anti-abortion law around the world, felt compelled to challenge this. Her method: to provide abortions on a ship in offshore waters.

Her project, Women on Waves, begins as flawed spectacle, a media frenzy, faced with governmental, religious, and military blockades. But with each setback comes a more refined mission, until Rebecca has the revelation that she can use new technologies to bypass law – and train women to give themselves safe abortions using WHO-sanctioned protocols with pills.

We witness the creation of an underground network of emboldened, informed activists, working at the cutting edge of global reproductive rights, who trust women to handle abortion themselves. Vessel is Rebecca’s story: one of a woman who heard and answered a calling, and transformed a wildly improbable idea into a global movement.

Check out the trailer!

The Troy Confectionery to Host a Benefit for UHPP

If you haven't been to the Confectionery (full name: Charles F. Lucas Confectionery & Wine Bar) in Troy, you need to get yourself over there as soon as possible.  It's an absolutely beautiful space, lovingly renovated in the classic Troy fashion; a little bit speakeasy, a little bit steampunk, but 100% awesome.  They have a great tapas menu and dozens of wonderful wines and beers to try-- they even have wine on tap, a fact that never ceases to delight me, for reasons that I cannot fully comprehend.

This is the second fundraiser that Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood's Young Leaders has had at the Confectionery.  The owners have been nothing but wonderful to us, and it's great to connect with such supportive community partners. It is UHPP's 80th anniversary year, and we're trying to get as many people out in support of the occasion as possible.

Last year's PPYL event at the Confectionery

The fundraiser will be held this Wednesday, April 23rd, from 6-9 PM.  We will be on their gorgeous patio, weather permitting, and a variety of cheeses and charcuterie will be provided for your nibbling pleasure.  Tickets are only $20 and are available for purchase at: http://uhppcocktails.eventbrite.com

For more information, please contact Amber at 518.512.9028 or by email at amber@uhpp.org.  We do hope to see you there!

Many thanks to Albany Medical Center, our PPYL sponsor for the third consecutive year!  We are so grateful for their continued support.