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FALL 2025

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On The Cover

Planned Parenthood storytellers and staff visited Washington D.C. to emphasize their support of reproductive health care and Medicaid to their members of Congress. In the photo: Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) staff Hannah (she/her), PPNCS staff Tuesday (she/her), storytellers Jessica (she/her) and Kyle (he/him), and PPFA staff Mia (she/her). Photo credit: Hannah Marcus.

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@ppnorthcentralstates

Letter from Ruth: Care, Community, and Courage—Thanks to You

Dear Friend,

Our solidarity, resilience, and persistence have never shone greater than they have this past year. The manufactured chaos abounds. Congress and the Trump Administration have attempted to defund Planned Parenthoods across the country by not allowing patients on Medicaid to access care at our health centers. We are not giving up, and the legal fight continues. Meanwhile, the administration has stripped $2.8 million in Minnesota’s Title X funding that provides affordable birth control, cancer screenings, annual wellness visits, and STI testing and treatment to people no matter their income or insurance status. They also threatened federal grants that support crucial education programs across our five-state region.

Through the attacks and the uncertainty, Planned Parenthood is still here and doing amazing things with our community. We have adapted by increasing investments in virtual care, renovated and expanded health centers, and introduced new service lines like menopause care and fertility services. We know everyone should have access to the essential care and education they need no matter their background, zip code, or income status. We fight for that every day.

Over the past century we’ve sharpened our skills and shown up—again and again—for the people who count on us. We’ve outlasted political attacks, smear campaigns, clinic closures, and funding cuts. And we’re still here.

That is in large part thanks to you. Donors like you have remained by our side, allowing us to care for more than 93,000 patients and reach over 58,000 people through sex education. You’ve helped us adapt, invest, and build care. Care that looks different. Care that meets the moment.

In this together,

In this issue of Onward, you’ll see the vital investments being made in the different communities across the region—I hope you find pride while reading it, knowing you helped make this possible.

I am grateful and humbled to be in this fight with you.

Ruth Richardson (she/her) President and CEO Planned Parenthood North Central States

Advocacy: Where Community Meets Change

Amid attempts to cut to Medicaid and Title X and renewed efforts to eliminate sex education in schools, PPNCS advocacy teams and volunteers are mobilizing to defend access to reproductive health care and empower communities across our region

Minnesota

In May, two Twin Cities Planned Parenthood patients, Jessica and Kyle, traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with their members of Congress and share their stories about the importance of Medicaid and sexual and reproductive health care.

Jessica recalled, “In my early 20s, my routine yearly pelvic exam at Planned Parenthood came back abnormal. They referred me for advanced testing at a more specialized medical center, where they discovered a tumor the size of a walnut in my cervix and completed a procedure to remove it. The doctors told me that if I had waited just a few more months, I might have had cancer. My doctors, nurses, and staff—and that first appointment at Planned Parenthood—were lifesaving.”

Storyteller Jessica (she/her) signs the guestbook at Senator Tina Smith’s office. Photo credit: Hannah Marcus.

Left: Volunteer Sarah (she/her) poses with her chicken outside of Iowa Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ office. Photo credit: Sarah Elgatian. Top: PPNCS and Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) staff arrange backpacks for their Back 2 School Drive in Des Moines. Photo credit: Carolina Ramos. Bottom: Omaha volunteers assemble period supplies. Photo credit: Shaina Barros-Santiago.

Iowa

Organizer Mandi and volunteer Sarah brought chickens to Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ office with a playful message: “Vote no on defunding Planned Parenthood and don’t be a chicken.”

Sarah reflected, “I love finding opportunities to make advocacy fun. If we can have fun, we can also get attention for the issues we care about, which magnifies our impact. There’s no point in doing this work if it doesn’t fill your cup! We’re trying to make the world a better place—that should feel good.”

Meanwhile, our Latine outreach program, Raíz, partnered with Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence to host its third annual Back 2 School Drive. Families received backpacks filled with supplies and community resource information to help students start the school year strong. West Des Moines teacher Jazmin shared, “When students are equipped from day one, they’re set up for success—ready to learn, grow, and thrive. This drive is more than just backpacks and pencils; it’s our community coming together to show students they matter.”

Nebraska

Advocacy staff and volunteers visited Congressman Don Bacon’s office to deliver hundreds of postcards and jars filled with pink beads—each representing a Medicaid patient who could lose care due to funding cuts.

Planned Parenthood also partnered with ACLU of Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed, and local artists to host a Medicaid anniversary event that combined education, trivia, and a powerful wall of support featuring dozens of reasons Nebraskans value Medicaid.

And in Omaha, volunteers and staff assembled period kits of pads, tampons, and hygiene wipes, distributing them to a local cat café, tattoo shop, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to ensure bathrooms were stocked with essential products.

Senior Advocacy Strategist Shaina summed it up: “In Nebraska, we believe dignity starts with access By working with volunteers and partner businesses to assemble and place period products throughout our community, we’re ensuring that essential care is always within reach.”

Left: Senator Tina Smith staffer Rachel (she/her), storyteller Kyle (he/him), PPNCS staff Tuesday (she/her), and storyteller Jessica (she/her) stand outside of Senator Smith’s office. Photo credit: Hannah Marcus. Right: Organizers of the Back 2 School Drive pose for a group photo. Photo credit: Gabriela Fuentes.

ICADV Health Equity Coordinator Nataly (she/her), PPNCS staff Carolina (she/her), and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa intern Danika (she/her) ready to pass out school supplies.

Photo credit: Gabriela Fuentes.

PPNCS staff stand outside Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon’s office to emphasize the importance of Medicaid. Photo credit: Shaina Barros-Santiago.

Celebrating Donor Impact: Investing in Health Centers

PPNCS is committed to strengthening our health centers and, with the help of generous donors, investing in longterm solutions for our communities. This spring recently renovated Planned Parenthood Des Moines - Susan Knapp and Omaha health centers hosted open house events to celebrate improvements and thank donors who made them possible.

In April, generous donors and supporters attended the Des Moines health center open house for the unveiling and a tour.

Longtime donor and former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director Barb Madden-Bittle attended the event and later shared, “When I learned the health center was expanding, my husband Ed and I discussed the desire to contribute with our planned legacy gift. Having an exam room with our name on it felt right with my long history with Planned Parenthood. This health center is in a very accessible area and is such a valuable resource of health care and education for women and men.”

An increasing number of patients continue to turn to the Des Moines health center, coming from the city, nearby suburbs, and rural communities in health care deserts. With five new exam rooms, an expanded lab, a new virtual check-in system, and a robust security update, we more than doubled patient capacity and safety. We also added an ADA-compliant restroom, improving accessibility.

These updates are increasing efficiency, access, and trust with the community.

Donor Amber Gustafson shared, “We chose to make this contribution to the Susan Knapp health center because Planned Parenthood saved my life and my fertility when I was a low-income young woman from rural Iowa. I do not know what I would have done without the safe, accepting, judgement-free care I received from Planned Parenthood.”

Donors, staff, and board members attend the Omaha health center open house. Photo credit: Rebecca Gratz.

Left: Maeve Bittle (she/her), Barb Madden-Bittle (she/her), and PPNCS’ Sheilahn Davis-Wyatt (she/her) at the Des Moines – Susan Knapp health center open house. Photo credit: Colby Campbell. Right: Donors, supporters, and partners pose together at the Omaha health center open house. Photo credit: Rebecca Gratz.

In May, the Omaha open house celebrated the completion of a multi-year, million-dollar renovation.

For the nearly 6,000 patients served there last year, the improvements are critical: eight new exam rooms have tripled family planning capacity, while new labs, ultrasound rooms, collaborative workspaces, and an updated procedure room support clinicians and staff The lobby and security systems were also modernized. A highlight of the project was partnering with Blair Freeman, a Black woman-owned and-led Class A contractor.

Interim Health Center Manager Virginia Miller noted, “The updates have truly transformed our space! With more rooms, expanded work areas, and additional clinicians, we’ve already been able to care for over 4,000 more patients than last year—all while serving our community more efficiently and compassionately. As a longtime staple in this community, we’re proud to continue being a trusted partner in care, where every patient feels welcome, supported, and safe.”

Donors Kathy and Bob Kirschner attended the event, sharing, “We enjoyed the opportunity to attend the open house to celebrate the Omaha health center’s renovation. Planned Parenthood is on the front lines providing critical access to care to underserved communities, which in turn raises the quality of life for everyone.”

The Des Moines and Omaha health centers are vital hubs for sexual and reproductive health, offering lifesaving care patients may not find elsewhere. We’re proud to celebrate the impact these renovations have already had—and grateful to the generous donors who made them possible.

Welcoming PPNCS Foundation President, Gretchen H. Page

We are delighted to welcome the PPNCS Foundation’s new President, Gretchen H. Page! Gretchen has more than 20 years of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising. She previously worked with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and most recently served as the Vice President of Development for the Vera Institute of Justice in New York. Gretchen is an experienced leader with an impressive track record of impact and is a strong supporter of PPNCS’ mission. We are excited for the next phase of the Foundation and what we will accomplish together.

Gretchen shared, “I am eager to build on the strong foundation PPNCS has created, to grow our reach and resources, and to ensure Planned Parenthood continues to thrive as a beacon of care, equity, and justice.”

Longtime donors Bob Novak (he/him) and Kathy Kirschner (she/her) at the Omaha health center open house. Photo credit: Rebecca Gratz.

From Stigma to Understanding: Advancing Sex Education Together

Donors like you make it possible for Planned Parenthood educators and advocates to spark new sexual and reproductive health care initiatives across the region. From breaking down stigma around menstruation, transforming education for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and inspiring the next generation of reproductive justice leaders, your generosity tends to the public health care landscape in our communities.

Orion

Orion first connected with Planned Parenthood in high school through Reach One Teach One (ROTO), a six-week comprehensive sex education program in North Dakota that equips young people to talk with their peers about healthy sexuality, safe sex, consent, and bodily autonomy.

Inspired by what they learned, Orion led an initiative to bring ROTO topics to their high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance club. The lessons made members feel more confident about their bodies and identity, and it helped folks learn vocabulary to better express and understand their sexuality and navigate relationships.

“I could see the immediate impact inclusive education had on my peers,” said Orion. “Everyone felt safe and heard by the Planned Parenthood educators.”

After graduating high school, Orion has continued their advocacy in Minnesota where they do campus outreach, voter education, volunteer training for abortion clinics, and more.

“I took my first ROTO class back in 2018, and I still carry the lessons learned in my advocacy work today,” said Orion. “Being a part of ROTO sparked my passion for social work and sex education.”

Danielle

When Danielle began her work at Planned Parenthood in Nebraska, she noticed a gap in the sex education curriculum for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Existing lesson plans weren’t meeting the community’s needs, so she set out to change that

She trained with Elevatus, a nationally recognized program that equips educators to better teach people with I/DD and tailor curriculum to their experiences. After taking the training, she received an influx in requests from different agencies and classrooms to teach sex education in I/DD spaces. The lesson plans cover identity, sex positivity, consent, and the difference between public versus private behaviors.

Since taking the initial Elevatus course, Danielle has completed additional training sessions on topics ranging from human trafficking to dating online to

Former PPNCS education participant Orion (they/them) poses for a fun photo on I <3 PP Day. Photo credit: Katie Christensen Mineer.

neurodivergence sexuality. Danielle now incorporates these topics in her Elevatus trainings with professionals, Planned Parenthood educators in Lincoln and Omaha, and parents in the community. Today, her workshops reach people who work with folks with I/DD.

“In just three years, I’ve seen such a huge impact,” Danielle said. “It’s amazing to witness people from different backgrounds gain more access to education that is empowering.”

Amber

As an Iowa PPNCS educator, Amber finds creative ways to engage with learners not just in classrooms or health centers, but also outside in the community.

When she connected with Wander Women Midwest, an organization dedicated to building community through outdoor adventures, she immediately jumped at the opportunity to collaborate. Together they launched a series of programs that invite people with uteruses on full moon hikes, encouraging participants to learn about menstruation while connecting with community and nature

Both young people and adults join these evenings, where Amber teaches her “Menstrual Cycle 101” workshop. Her approach is gender-inclusive and expansive, drawing from ancestral wisdom and Indigenous practices to reframe how we understand our cycles.

Each hike closes with Amber facilitating an empowering lesson around a bonfire.

“There is something beautiful about gathering in community under the moonlight to share stories and learn about our bodies together,” she said.

These gatherings also serve a practical purpose of raising funds for PPNCS and collecting period product donations, which Des Moines Teen Council members then use to assemble menstrual health kits for their communities.

Shame dies in rooms where stories are told.” Amber expressed.

“There is still so much stigma surrounding periods. Cultivating informed communities built on genuine relationships and a shared understanding of our bodies is the foundation of meaningful advocacy and change.”

Above: Participants take a hike in the woods for the “Menstrual Cycle 101” Wander Women workshop in Iowa. Below: PPNCS Iowa health educators, Amber (she/her) and Nicole (she/her) pose for a selfie during a hike. Photo credit: Amber Francis.

Crafting Community, One Pint at a Time

Planned Parenthood supporters are always finding creative ways to turn community gatherings into lasting impact. Earlier this year, three Minnesota breweries hosted fundraising events to come together in celebration, solidarity, and generosity to ensure that reproductive and sexual health care remain strong and accessible for all.

A Toast to Women’s Month in Rochester

This spring, Little Thistle Brewing in Rochester lifted a pint for Planned Parenthood. Taproom manager Audrey Robinson chose PPNCS as their featured nonprofit for Women’s Month, dedicating 5% of all sales from a special community fundraiser night to reproductive health care access.

The event reflected the power of grassroots support with neighbors gathering, sharing conversation, and choosing to give back. Alongside brewery proceeds, attendees donated more than $350 directly to PPNCS—two of them becoming recurring donors whose support will sustain care month after month.

Brewing Pride: Raising a Glass to Health and Healing

Arbeiter Brewing Co. in Minneapolis once again opened its doors to celebrate Brewing Pride—a fun evening in support of LGBTQ+ health. In collaboration with PPNCS and local LGTBQ+ organization RECLAIM!, the event brought together allies, advocates, and neighbors to raise funds and awareness.

The night raised more than $600, split evenly between PPNCS and RECLAIM!. The impact created a space of affirmation and joy during Pride month, where community members came together to celebrate resilience and support organizations at the heart of health and justice.

Brewing Generosity in Duluth

In July, Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth turned a night at the taproom into a powerful show of community support. Through their signature “perks program,” guests who donated to PPNCS were treated to raffle entries, brewery perks, and local gifts—from growlers and restaurant gift cards to handcrafted goods donated by Duluth artisans.

The response was overwhelming: donors contributed nearly $4,000 which will directly support patient care at our Duluth health center and education programs.

The event showed that when local businesses, artists, and supporters come together, they ensure that reproductive health care remains accessible for patients across the state. If you’re a small business interested in hosting a Planned Parenthood fundraiser, visit ppncs.org/fundraisers

Protecting Families and Defending Freedom

In March, PPNCS co-hosted “Criminalizing Motherhood and Reproductive Health” with Greene Espel Law Firm. The Continuing Legal Education session offered lawyers in the Minnesota Twin Cities area an opportunity to learn more about the intersection of law, race, and reproductive rights.

The session featured constitutional law scholar and Georgetown law professor Dr. Michele Bratcher Goodwin, Founder of Village Arms Kelis Houston, and PPNCS President and CEO Ruth Richardson, along with special guest Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. The event covered the ways health care and family regulation systems have played a significant role in criminalizing reproductive health and motherhood, how overturning Roe accelerated risks related to the criminalization of reproductive health, and how the criminalization of reproductive health care can deter people from seeking care.

Education sessions like this help deepen understanding of the challenges we face and strengthen our collective commitment to reproductive freedom.

Volunteer Jean (she/her), PPNCS staff Gina, and volunteer Noah (she/her) at a table of resources at the Bent Paddle event in Duluth.

Session speakers pose with Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

Meeting Patients’ Needs from Adolescence to Menopause

From the first questions about birth control in adolescence to the changes that come with midlife and beyond, PPNCS is here every step of the way. Our patients deserve care that supports the whole person, not just in moments of crisis, but across the full spectrum of their sexual and reproductive health.

That’s why we’re proud to expand our services to include menopause care. What began last year as a virtual-only offering has expanded into our health centers across four states. This expansion means patients—many of whom may struggle to find providers who take their menopause symptoms seriously—can now access expert, compassionate care close to home.

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it can bring a host of challenges that impact daily living and quality of life. Hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and mood swings are often the most visible symptoms. But others—like painful intercourse, recurrent urinary tract infections, and bone loss—can quietly take a serious toll. Too often, patients are told to “just deal with it” or are left feeling dismissed by the medical system.

At PPNCS, we know our patients deserve better Our clinicians provide an assessment of symptoms and medical history, and when needed, lab tests to rule out other causes. Treatment plans are individualized and may include hormone replacement therapy, vaginal estrogen or DHEA, lubricants and moisturizers, or non-hormonal medications like antidepressants or gabapentin. We also connect patients to important preventive screenings, such as mammograms and bone density scans.

PPNCS Advanced Practice Clinician Manager Carrie explained: “Hormone replacement therapy in perimenopause and menopause is life-changing. It prevents infections, restores comfort, improves mood and sleep, and helps people feel like themselves again.” Patients are already feeling the difference. One shared: “I came for a menopause assessment, and I was seen and had my medication within two days. Planned Parenthood is such an essential part of my life.”

Because menopause care is a new service at PPNCS, we’re making a concerted effort to let people across Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska know that this care is available. We recently launched a dedicated menopause awareness campaign on social media and

digital display ads, designed to reach people where they are and provide clear, accurate information about this important service.

In addition, we’ve woven menopause care into our broader marketing efforts—such as our virtual care and health center campaigns—so it appears alongside other core services that patients rely on. The virtual care campaign runs statewide, with special emphasis in areas that have experienced health center closures, ensuring that patients know they can still access care remotely and that Planned Parenthood remains a reliable resource for them.

Across all our outreach, menopause care is now visible on a wide range of channels, including bus wraps, billboards, print and digital ads, pop-up banners, and other materials. Every placement is part of a deliberate strategy to reach people who need this care, raise awareness about our services, and make it as easy as possible for patients to connect with the support they deserve.

By offering menopause care, PPNCS is making a powerful statement: you trusted us with your health care in your twenties, and you can trust us now. With donor support, we’re ensuring that patients of every age and identity can rely on Planned Parenthood for the high-quality, affirming care they deserve—through every season of their lives.