MORE events at Planned Parenthood!

Upcoming Lobby Visits! As the stakes get higher UHPP is committed to meeting with local elected officials on behalf of women and families in the Capital Region and we want you with us. Now more than ever it is crucial that we make our voices heard and demand protection for Planned Parenthood healthcare services in New York State! Join us next week as we meet with local New York State Senators and voice our concerns. Do you live in the 46th Senate District? Join UHPP Monday, March 20th at 11:00am to visit with Senator George A. Amedore and remind him that women and families in New York are watching. Register for the visit HERE Do you live in the 44th Senate District? Join UHPP Tuesday, March 21st at 1:30pm to visit with Senator Neil Breslin to thank him for his continued support of Planned Parenthood. Register for the visit HERE PATIENT STORIES NEEDED! If you are a current or former patient of Planned Parenthood and would like to share your story that we can use in our media outreach please email Katherine at katherine@uhpp.org. Upcoming Events to Support Planned Parenthood!   Saturday, March 18th: I Stand with Planned Parenthood Rally in Hudson!  Join the Columbia County Democrats and Planned Parenthood at Public Square at the 7th Street Park in Hudson on Saturday, March 18th from 2 to 4 pm. The snow will not deter us! It is vital to show the community support for Planned Parenthood. Come out and show your support for unfettered access to women’s healthcare, LGBTQ healthcare and access to abortion services. Speakers will include Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Hudson Mayor Tiffany Martin Hamilton, Dr. Richard Collens, Vice President of Development at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Curran Streett, Pastor Kim Singletary from Overcomers Ministries International Church in Hudson, Amber Harris, former Youth Health Educator from Columbia County, Carol Peckham from the Columbia County ACA Taskforce and Cyndy Hall from the Columbia County Democrats. There is uncertainty ahead and Planned Parenthood is being attacked. But, one thing is for sure — we will never back down, and we will never stop fighting to make sure that patients are able to access the care they need. The days ahead will not be easy, but we will all work together to ensure that Planned Parenthood is here, caring for patients, for the next 100 years. RSVP on Facebook and SHARE. We need to have a big crowd! Monday, March 20: Petition Drop and Rally at Congressman Faso's Office in Kinderhook  Please join us at Congressman Faso's office on Monday, March 20 at 4:30 pm to 6 pm at 2 Hudson Street in Kinderhook as we deliver thousands of petitions from constituents who want him to know WE STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD. As most of you know, Congressman Faso has stated publicaly he would not vote to defund Planned Parenthood and that he understands the important services we provide to our communities. We want to let him know we appreciate his support and that we expect him to vote no on any legislation, including stand alone or ACA repeal, that includes language to defund Planned Parenthood. This will be a positive rally that demonstrates the depth of support Planned Parenthood has in Congressional District NY19. Why is it so important now? Tucked into the Affordable Care Act repeal bill is a dangerous provision blocking Medicaid patients from Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide. We need to show Congressman Faso that YOU ARE a part of the overwhelming majority that opposes defunding care at Planned Parenthood health centers. Let's show him we will be ready to fight to protect reproductive health and rights in his district. RSVP and SHARE on Facebook! Thursday, March 23: Comedy Show to Benefit Planned Parenthood in Albany Thursday, March 23rd from 7:30 to 9 pm. Erin Harkes expands her monthly Chick's Are Funny show to raise money for the UHPP! Erin Harkes headlines a night of comedy with other local ladies Jennifer McMullen, Dre Cerbin, Dee Watson and host Katherine Gaultier.  RSVP here! Sunday, April 2 Rise and Shine Breakfast at the Blue Plate in Chatham  Join Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood at the Blue Plate in Chatham located at 1 Kinderhook Street from 11 am to 1:30 pm on Sunday, April 2. This fundraiser will support our beautification project for the Hudson health center including the purchase of a new sign! Call Jonathan at 518.912.9031 for cost and to RSVP. Tuesday, April 4: Teach-in: Defunding Planned Parenthood and the Future of Rural Healthcare in Columbia County Event will be held at Hudson Library located at 51 N. 5th Street in Hudson from 6 to 8 pm.  Join Claire Parde, Executive Director of the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium and Chelly Hegan, President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood to talk about the future of healthcare in Columbia County. We will discuss increasing access to quality health care through collaboration, education, information and service delivery. You will learn what defunding would mean to our local Planned Parenthood affiliate, what it means to others affiliates in our state and nationwide. You will learn about the Hyde Amendment, Title X and how Medicaid funding works and how that all affects Planned Parenthood. The event is FREE and OPEN to the public. Please RSVP on Facebook and SHARE! If you have any questions or want to get involved, email Nicole at nicolec@uhpp.org or call 518.434.5678, ext. 137.

What's Happening at UHPP in March (and Beyond)

A Public Affairs Update from Nicole Carvalho and Katherine Bruno.

URGENT ACTION! NEEDED TODAY! We need letters to the editor! If you are interested in submitting a letter, please email katherine@uhpp.org. We can give you talking points, full copy or details you may need to submit a letter in your community! Upcoming Events to Support Planned Parenthood! UHPP Teach in Hudson: “Defunding Planned Parenthood and the Future of Rural Healthcare in Columbia County.” on Tuesday, April 4 from 6 to 8 pm at Hudson Area Library. Join Claire Parde, Executive Director of the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium and Chelly Hegan, President/CEO of UHPP to talk about the future in Columbia County. RSVP here! I Stand with Planned Parenthood Rally in Hudson! Saturday, March 18 from 2 to 3 pm at the 7th Street Park.Come out and show your support for unfettered access to women’s healthcare, LGBTQ healthcare and access to abortion services sponsored by the Columbia County Democrats! RSVP here! Comedy Show: Thursday, March 23rd from 7:30 to 9 pm. Erin Harkes expands her monthly Chick's Are Funny show to raise money for the UHPP! Erin Harkes headlines a night of comedy with other local ladies Jennifer McMullen, Dre Cerbin, Dee Watson and host Katherine Gaultier. RSVP here! If you have any questions or want to get involved, email Nicole at nicolec@uhpp.org or call 518.434.5678, ext. 137.

What's Next for UHPP?

An update from Katherine Bruno, VP for Public Affairs, Marketing & Communications, and our Volunteer Coordinator Nicole Carvalho. Thank you! What an amazing day we had on Saturday, February 11th at RESIST! for Reproductive Justice, an I Stand with Planned Parenthood Rally and PINK OUT!  More than 1,500 supporters came out in response to the nationwide protests of Planned Parenthood scheduled for that day to celebrate and show their support. Special thank you to the grassroots organizers: Vivica Vee, E. Rose Huttner, Emily Bryan, CJ Chapman, Sonia Sandoval and Jan Buonanno. Thank you to Juni Tavarez, Planned Parenthood Generation VP at SUNY Albany and DJ Sean McLaughlin for providing music for our impromptu dance party! "I decided to get involved organizing this rally because defunding Planned Parenthood is not only a women’s issue, but a public health issue. Planned Parenthood has helped many in the community, and this is clearly recognized through the overwhelming response by the community on the event page alone. People want to stand up for reproductive justice. They want to show their support.” – Emily Bryan, Event Organizer Want to see more:  PHOTOS!  NEWS : TU  WNYT TWC CBS6 WAMC BACKLASH We also want to thank our elected officials who joined us and let the community know they support the services that we provide to thousands every year in our community! Thank you: the Honorable Kathy M. Sheehan, Mayor of Albany, NY, the Honorable Pat Fahy, NYS Assemblywoman and the Honorable Paul Tonko, US Congressman from NY! Not everyone was pleased with their support. Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany said said focusing on Planned Parenthood's unobjectionable health services is like "saying that a man who beats his wife sometimes gives her flowers." Read the article here. We are asking YOU to send them an email, letter or call them to thank them for showing courage to be with us.  Honorable Paul Tonko, US Congressman from NY19 Dove Street, Suite 302, Albany, NY 12210, Phone: (518) 465-0700, Fax:(518) 427-5107, Email: https://tonko.house.gov/contact/ Honorable Pat Fahy, NYS Assemblywoman, LOB 452, Albany, NY 12248, Phone: 518-455-4178, Email: FahyP@nyassembly.gov Honorable Kathy M. Sheehan, Mayor of Albany, City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Room 102, Albany, NY  12207, Phone: (518) 434-5100 , Fax: (518) 434-5013 E-mail: mayor@albanyny.gov SO WHAT'S NEXT?

We need letters to the editor! If you are interested in submitting a letter, please email katherine@uhpp.org. We can give you talking points, full copy or details you may need to submit a letter in your community!

UHPP Third Teach-in  UHPP will host our third Teach-in event Monday, February 27th at the Albany Health Center from 6 to 8 pm. Teach-in: Legislative Agenda. How can you help? will be hosted by Dan Carpenter, Field Manager at Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts (formerly Family Planning Advocates of NYS). We will review the NYS Legislative Agenda set forth by our statewide organization, learn how to talk about the issues and how to lobby elected officials in our area. The lobby training will be conducted by Deanne M. Braveman, Esq. Attorney and Lobbyist from Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., Courtney Brunelle, Statewide Political and Legislative Coordinator from AFSCME NY and Saima Anjam, Activist and Lobbyist from Environmental Advocates of New York. Let us know you are coming on Facebook!

Lobby Visits! Click to sign up for one or more! NYS Assemblymember Phil Steck on 110th Assembly District on Wednesday, March 1st at 11 AM in the LOB 702. NYS Assemblymember Pat Fahy from the 109th Assembly District on Friday, March 3rd at 10 AM in the LOB 452. NYS Assemblymember John McDonald from the108th Assembly District on Wednesday, March 8th at 2:30 in the LOB 417 (possibly off the floor)

Instarlodge Nasty Woman Art Show to Benefit UHPP Join us for FOUR-D’s latest pop-up exhibition NASTY WOMEN HV, the Hudson Valley edition of the NASTY WOMEN exhibition series, created in collaboration with the eponymous New York City-based collective as a response to the impending inauguration of Donald Trump.  NASTY WOMEN HV will feature works by an international group of artists coming together in solidarity to support women’s rights, especially reproductive rights, in the face of an administration that seeks to erode them. Each work in the exhibition will be for sale (prices range from $10-$100) with all proceeds donated to Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. The opening will take place Friday, February 24th from 7:30-9:00 with the closing on Saturday, February 25th from 12:00-5:00. For more information click here.

Upcoming events in March  Keep it Local: Savoy Tap Room on March 7 from 6 to 8 pm at 301 Lark Street in Albany. Come join us for a night of fun and solidarity in support of the Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood at The Savoy Taproom! National issues and events are intriguing, but it's imperative that we don't lose sight of the importance of organizing in our own backyards. Now, more than ever, we have to make sure that those in our community have the access they need to the vital services provided by UHPP. Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided, as well as more information on what you can do to get involved with UHPP in your neighborhood! Women's Day Gathering on Wednesday, March 8th from 6 to 8 pm at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. The program will include speakers from Chelly Hegan President/CEO UHPP, Tandra Lagrone, Executive Director, In Our Own Voices, Libby Post, Political Strategist and Communications expert, Alyssa Lupinski, Pride Center of the Capital District. Current Albany County legislator Joanne Cunningham and former Albany legistator and campaign manager Noelle Kinsch will speak on the importance of women's running for office. We will also share action plans of what you can do in our fight for our values and steps we can take as we look to 2018. Event cost is $20.18 which includes appetizer buffet and donation to UHPP. UHPP Teach: “Reproductive Justice. What is the future of our movement? on Monday, March 13 from 6 to 8 pm at the UHPP Albany Health center. Join our panel with Barbara Smith, author and activist, Elena Lipsiea, President, Planned Parenthood Generation at the University of Albany, Daquetta Jones Executive Director of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region and Chelly Hegan President/CEO of UHPP. UHPP Teach in Hudson: “Defunding Planned Parenthood and the Future of Rural Healthcare in Columbia County.” on Tuesday, March 14 6 to 8 pm at Time Space Limited. Join Claire Parde, Executive Director of the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium and Chelly Hegan, President/CEO of UHPP to talk about the future in Columbia County Comedy Show: Thursday, March 23rd from 7:30 to 9 pm. Erin Harkes expands her monthly Chick's Are Funny show to raise money for UHPP! Erin Harkes headlines a night of comedy with other local ladies Jennifer McMullen, Dre Cerbin, Dee Watson and host Katherine Gaultier.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, email Nicole at nicolec@uhpp.org or call 518.434.5678, ext. 137.

Letter to the Editor: Planned Parenthood Funding is Needed

Letter:  Planned Parenthood Funding is Needed

Sunday, January 22, 2017

In hundreds of health centers, Planned Parenthood has supported and treated a large number of people who would not have access to health care. This will not happen if Planned Parenthood is defunded.

The care that is given helps millions of low-income women and men, many of whom are young people who are able to access quality preventive and basic health care like cancer screening, birth control, STD testing and treatment, including HIV testing.

Defunding Planned Parenthood will also negatively affect those patients who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for safe and legal abortion.

The loss of Planned Parenthood health centers will cause a major health disaster for this country. This will primarily impact the underserved, including people of color, people who live in rural areas and people with low incomes. These people are the majority of Planned Parenthood's patients, and they are already facing unfair barriers to accessible health care. Where will they go then for care?

I have been a patient of Planned Parenthood in the past when I was unable to get care through other sources. The care was great, and I was treated well and with respect. With their help and caring, I am doing well today and a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood for 30-plus years.

Joan Csaposs

Albany

Reprinted with the author's permission

Comedy Benefit for Planned Parenthood!

Amazing Rally on Saturday!

We had an amazing turnout of about 1500 people on Saturday at our Albany offices for the Rally for Reproductive Justice!  We heard from lots of people like UHPP CEO Chelly Hegan, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Congressman Paul Tonko, Assemblymember Pat Fahy, students, activists, people of all ages, races, and orientation. The organizers all did a wonderful job and deserve our gratitude. Folks hand-knitted many hats and scarves, and collected donations for UHPP in exchange for them.  It truly was a beautiful collective of individuals, and one message was heard loud and clear: New Yorkers demand funding for Planned Parenthood!

Special thanks to Sean McLaughlin for donating his time to be DJ, and thanks to Christopher Wilber for the following photos.

What's Going on at Planned Parenthood

A Public Affairs update from VP for Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs, Katherine Bruno.

Things are moving quickly in Public Affairs and we want to keep you all up to date on everything that is happening!

Day of Action: There was an exciting event Monday at the State Capitol in Albany! More than 1,500 people from across the state came to Albany to show they stand with Planned Parenthood. PPFA President Cecile Richards and Governor Andrew Cuomo, in addition to many other representatives and activists, spoke on behalf of reproductive rights and UHPP’s own Omiyea Stanford served as the co-host of the event. Photos can be found on our Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/UHPPANY/.

Upcoming events:

RESIST! for Reproductive Justice Albany NY
On February 11 there will be anti-choice activists around the country protesting Planned Parenthood and calling for us to be defunded. Supporters all over the country caught wind of this and began organizing counter protests before we knew what was happening. The list of locations to protest included the Troy Health Center. Our local supporters began to plan a counter protest but once we touched base with them and let them know that we do not encourage counter protests we began to work with them to change the location and host it at our Albany Health Center parking lot.

Please join on Saturday, February 2:30pm to 4:30pm. We will send out more details as we get closer.

Please remember, this event is a work in progress and it is a partnership with community activists. We are working with them on the details and are hoping for a very successful turnout. If you have questions about this event, please contact Nicole C. at nicolec@uhpp.org.

The details can be found on the Facebook page they created to promote the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1227997093949102/

UHPP Teach-in
UHPP will host our third Teach-in event Monday, February 13 at the Albany Health Center 6 to 8 pm. Teach-in: Legislative Agenda. How can you help? will be hosted by Dan Carpenter, Field Manager at Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts (formerly Family Planning Advocates of NYS). We will review the NYS Legislative Agenda set forth by our statewide organization, learn how to talk about the issues and how to lobby elected officials in our area.
Find out more and RSVP through the event page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1804561619791550/

Roe v Wade Anniversary Event
UHPP will commemorate the 34th Anniversary of the passage of Roe v Wade on February 17 from 6-8pm at the Albany Renaissance Hotel.  Awardees include Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Rev. Sam Trumbore, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Citizen Action, and the Pride Center.  Click here for more information and to RSVP.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, feel free to reach out to nicolec@uhpp.org or Katherine at Katherine@uhpp.org.

Thank you!