PLANNED PARENTHOOD GULF
JULY 2023–JUNE 2024
A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear Friend,
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast has been caring for our communities for nearly a century, and no matter what the future holds, our vision remains the same: a world where everyone can get the health care and information they need to thrive.
Whether you made a monthly gift, donated online, helped us surpass our fundraising goals at a community event, were a steadfast foundation supporter, or volunteered your time and talents, know that you were instrumental to our critical work this year. Your continued support ensures our ability to care for our patients and communities, and I am deeply grateful to each of you.
Unfortunately, the states we serve have made it harder and harder for our patients to navigate their reproductive health care, and many people face increasingly desperate situations. In these challenging times, the health care, education, and advocacy we provide are more important than ever.
The opposition’s tactics may change, but it’s the same old story. Anti-abortion politicians and their allies oppose us because we’re offering something that threatens their power and control: freedom.
The freedom to manage your sexual and reproductive health, to plan a future, and to pursue your dreams on your own terms. The freedom to live freely and authentically as your true self. And the freedom to control your own body and decide for yourself if, when, and how to become a parent.
The attacks are relentless, but know this: so are we—and we don’t back down. Not now, not ever.
Your support allows us to continue delivering on our mission: to serve everyone, no matter their income, insurance status, or identity— and no matter what lies ahead.
Forward together,
MELANEY A. LINTON President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
PATIENT CARE
“Care—No Matter What” is more than a motto: It’s who we are and what we do. It’s our promise as health care providers to show up for everyone, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or how much money they make.
We want you to hear directly from our patients about the impact of the expert, compassionate care we provide every day thanks to your support.
“Planned
“I went to [Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast] to have a few tests done and it was fast, easy, and informative. The doctor really took her time explaining the tests, what would happen, and how results could be interpreted. I was so appreciative of how judgment-free the experience was and how much care she took explaining everything, answering any questions I had ... The level of care at this facility was outstanding.”
“My usual women’s health doctor was going to charge me over $500 for my yearly appointment if I asked any questions during said appointment. Flustered and feeling defeated trying to take care of my health, I called Planned Parenthood and could not be happier with my choice. Every single person I encountered—phone attendants, check-in clerks, and my (new) doctor—was incredibly kind, genuine, and professional ... I felt heard, understood, and like I truly mattered ... I am so grateful for my experience.”
Parenthood has given me hope again.”
DATA & DEMOGRAPHICS
Identity
53,678 visits for family planning and primary care
90,936 tests for
6,173 cancer screenings and preventive services
42,890 birth control services and information
18,936 HIV prevention counseling and testing visits
$4,345,951 in financial assistance to under- and uninsured patients
ppgulfcoast.org/forpatients
PATIENT NAVIGATION
WHERE TEXANS & LOUISIANANS CAN STILL ACCESS ABORTION CARE*
As we continue to witness the devastating consequences of abortion bans in both Texas and Louisiana, our patient navigation program remains a lifeline for our communities. Since we began the program in September 2021, we have provided more than $1 million in direct financial assistance to more than 3,000 people for travel-related expenses as they are forced to flee their states for safe and legal abortion care.
While each patient’s circumstances are unique, they all express gratitude for our critical support and share a sense of relief that they aren’t alone.
This year, we provided patient navigation services to 331 people, and the need is not slowing down. In July 2024 alone, we handled 141 calls from Texans and Louisianans in need of our navigation support.
*As of December 1, 2024
“So many of the patients I talk to are just so scared. They are scared about someone finding out. Can they tell people what they are going through? I’m often the only person, or one of the only people, they feel safe confiding in.”
-PPGC PATIENT NAVIGATOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
From canvassing neighborhoods to tabling at concerts, we are working every day to engage with our communities and strengthen our grassroots movement for reproductive health and rights.
“People in the community want to be educated and want to offer monetary donations or are interested in volunteering. I have been able to speak with adults and teens about the services offered at Planned Parenthood. So many women were not aware of all the health and wellness services, from contraceptives to menopause issues and cancer screenings.”
-NORMA L., PPGC INTERN
Be on the lookout for Norma and other members of our team in your community!
We faced another tough legislative session this year in Louisiana, but we continued to build power and to show up boldly and proudly for reproductive freedom. We know that change doesn’t just come from passing bills, but from winning hearts and minds. This year, we kept our communities informed through weekly email updates and co-hosted a weekly series, Women on Wednesday, with our local partners. Throughout the session, more than 300 Louisianans joined Women on Wednesday to learn how to advocate for reproductive rights at the Capitol. And we achieved a nearly 600% increase in constituent emails, from 35 unique cities statewide, to lawmakers endorsing legislation to protect and expand health care access.
Our fight doesn’t end here. Be sure to follow us on social media @ppgulfcoast to stay upto-date on upcoming 2025 legislative sessions in both Louisiana and Texas.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and City Council Member Abbie Kamin joined in celebrating March 19, 2024 as Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Day in the City of Houston. We are proud to have served the greater Houston area for more than 88 years.
We celebrated our vibrant LGBTQ+ communities in Pride events across our communities, including new events and first-time parades in Houston and Louisiana.
TO GET INVOLVED OR VOLUNTEER, VISIT ppgulfcoast.org/getinvolved
we are meeting our communities where they are and bringing important information about PPGC’s services right to their doorstep.
PRIDE 2024
EDUCATION
We believe that all people deserve access to the information they need to make healthy decisions, and that begins with comprehensive, ageappropriate, medically accurate sexual health education.
THIS YEAR, PLANNED PARENTHOOD GULF COAST:
• Provided over 8,000 hours of education programming
• Engaged 3,525 participants in our education sessions
• Supported access to sex education with 95 community partners
• Hosted our third annual TeenVIBE (Virtual, Inclusive, Bold Education) Summit with 60 participants from Texas, Louisiana, and across the country
We expanded our reach by training 80 adults to lead sex education sessions in their communities and furthered our youth leadership development by engaging nearly 50 teens to become peer health ambassadors through our teenREACH program. In New Orleans, members of teenREACH created a teen zine (top right), a self-published magazine all about birth control.
As a part of our efforts to reach as many people as possible, our Baton Rouge Health Educator created the PPGC Empowered virtual education platform (center right).
The Google classroom is a training platform designed to equip teens and adults with the skills and knowledge they need to lead their own comprehensive sex education lessons on a range of important topics like anatomy, birth control and barrier methods, sexually transmitted infections, and supportive relationships.
THANK YOU
Everything you see within these pages and far beyond is made possible by generous donors like YOU! We are so grateful for your continued support of our mission that allows us to keep caring for the patients and communities who need us more than ever.
From all of us at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, THANK YOU!
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. SCAN THE QR CODE HERE TO COMPLETE OUR DONOR SURVEY TODAY
2025 LOOK-AHEAD CALENDAR
JANUARY
• Texas Legislative Session begins (14th)
FEBRUARY
• versus Luncheon (28th) ppgulfcoast.org/versus
MARCH
• Planned Parenthood Texas Lobby Day (20th)
APRIL
•Baton Rouge Spring Event (17th)
•Louisiana Legislative Session begins (14th)
MAY
• GiveNOLA Day (6th)
JUNE
• Pride Month
• teenVIBE Summit
AUGUST
• Make-A-Will Month ppgulfcoast.org/legacy
OCTOBER
• New Orleans Fall Celebration
DECEMBER
• Giving Tuesday (2nd)
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
The mission of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is to ensure the right and ability of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing health services, education, and advocacy.
Planned Parenthood seeks a world in which all children are wanted and cared for, all individuals have equal rights and dignity, sexuality is expressed with honesty, equality, and responsibility, and the decision to bear children is private and voluntary.
LEGACY GIVING
By creating a planned gift with Planned Parenthood, you are creating a legacy that supports your community beyond your lifetime.
For more information on ways to leave a legacy with PPGC, email giving@ppgulfcoast.org or call 713-831-6516
