Planned Parenthood South Texas

2015 SPRING/SUMMER

HORIZONS The Newsletter of Planned Parenthood South Texas

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Planned Parenthood staff outside new facility at 2140 Babcock Road, San Antonio

TABLE OF CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE | 2 Our Doors are Open

FIGHTING BACK AT THE CAPITOL | 4 2015 Lobby Day

HERE'S TO YOU & OUR SHARED SUCCESS | 5 A Report on 2014 Fundraising

PLANNED PARENTHOOD MAKES IT WORK! | 7 2015 Lunch with Tim Gunn

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Alan Kramer Vice-Chair Alison Boone Treasurer Barbara Moschner Secretary Kathy Armstrong Immediate Past Chair Marty Hixon President & CEO Jeffrey Hons Senior Vice President & COO Polin C. Barraza, RN

Lila Aguirre Elise Boyan Cheryl Davis, DMD Ceci Goldstone Pat Jasso Pat Kalmans Ellen Lake Janet McNutt Don McRee Yvonne Pelayo Stuart Schlossberg Susan Smith Gerri Wolfle

SPIRIT OF ‘76 | 11 Gene Novogrodsky Completes Ride

for Reproductive Rights!

WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING | 15 We Planned Parenthood We provide and protect the health care and information people need to plan their families and their futures.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Jeffrey Hons President & CEO

This column comes to you from my new office at 2140 Babcock Road. Somebody pinch me. This seems unreal. After months of work that went from planning to real estate to architecture to construction, working the big picture and the little details, all the while raising money as fast as possible (Thank you!!!), the organized chaos of moving Planned Parenthood South Texas into our new home is underway.

I’m here first, along with the central office staff, because we’re the easiest to move and we’re better able to withstand the difficulties of finding and fixing any glitches.

There is work that remains and I want everything perfect before we move in any of the health care operation.

I’ve been driving to work at 104 Babcock Road since July 1994; this July would have made it 21 years. That is longer than anywhere I have ever worked or lived.

I didn’t fully appreciate the way that the old address had been a home for me, and I didn’t anticipate the powerful feelings I would experience when leaving.

Adding to the emotional weight of this move are the tens of thousands of women and men and teenagers who have walked through those doors and found the essential family planning and sexual health care they needed.

She and her husband explained that they did not have such a physician relationship.

The ER nurse told them to go seek help at Planned Parenthood and gave them our new address. Polin made an appointment for the lady to see our medical director.

There is so much about this story that amazes me. First, it would appear that all of the protesting and complaining of our detractors about our new facility has done one good thing: everyone knows where we are. Another amazing aspect of this is how Planned Parenthood is so fortunate to have in Polin Barraza a Chief Operating Officer who can go from complex spreadsheets and health care regulations to delicate client interaction at our front door in a matter of seconds. Wow. I’ve seen her perform like this a thousand times so that wasn’t new to me—wonderful, but not new.

For me, the most amazing thing was that in our first week at the new building, before any sign had gone up, before any part of our health care delivery operation had moved in, someone came to our door seeking help. It got me thinking, people have been showing up at our doors seeking help for 76 years. Our first doorstep was on Water Street inside what is now Hemisfair Park. We have doors all over San Antonio and in the Rio Grande Valley where people come every day for help. This first client encounter at the new building showed me that 2140 Babcock Road is another doorway, literal and figurative, connecting Planned Parenthood and the people we serve.

THIS DOOR IS OPEN and I am so proud to be part of this organization where staff and donors and volunteers make help and health care happen. I hope you are, too.

Thank you for making this building possible. Your charitable support, and your emotional support, have created the necessary resources and energy to accomplish this important project. You built the doorway that will welcome women and men and teens for many, many years to come. I am grateful beyond measure.

I imagined it would take a long time and a lot of clients helped before I would begin to feel similarly at home at 2140 Babcock Road. But something happened on day four that made 2140 my new emotional home. I was leaving work a little early and when I stepped outside the front door I saw a young couple, the gentleman walking a few steps in front of the lady. She was holding one hand over her abdomen but he spoke and said to me, “¿Habla español?” and held out some paperwork in his hand.

He looked scared. I looked at the paperwork and saw that it was discharge papers from a nearby hospital emergency department and patient information sheets about ovarian cysts. I looked up at the lady and she was teary-eyed. I replied, “No hablo español bien, y entiendo menos. Pero ven aqui y esperase, por favor.” I took them inside and went to find Polin Barraza, our Chief Operating Officer, who came to help the couple.

Ongoing pain for almost two years had recently become overwhelming and prompted the couple to go to the hospital. After leaving the hospital emergency department the woman was instructed to seek follow-up care with an OB/GYN. 2 | HORIZONS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Planned Parenthood staff dressed to volunteer at Lunch with Tim Gunn

LOBBY DAY

with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes

Hundreds of Planned Parenthood supporters gathered at the State Capitol on March 11 to stand up and speak out in support of women’s health. Despite cold and dreary weather, people came from all over Texas to meet with their elected officials and remind them of one thing: Texas women and their families depend on and support the vital health care services at Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood advocates with Secretary of State Carlos Cascos

State Sen. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio) with Planned Parenthood advocates

Yvonne Gutierrez, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes

Planned Parenthood advocates

Planned Parenthood advocates visited State Representatives from San Antonio, Brownsville and Harlingen, including: Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio), Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio), Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio), Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), Justin Rodriguez (D-San Antonio), Sergio Muñoz, Jr. (D-Mission), René Oliveira (D-Brownsville), and Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville).

Additionally, Planned Parenthood supporters visited the offices of State Senators Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio), Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio), and Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-San Benito).

“While there are smart, compassionate elected officials at the Capitol, we know there are some politicians who undermine the great health care that Planned Parenthood provides in Texas,” said Mabel Diaz, Community Outreach Specialist for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. “It’s up to all of us to fight back and protect access to family planning and women’s health care. We must stand at the ready and we’re counting on you.”

Over the next few months Ms. Diaz will be organizing a series of advocacy events designed to promote Planned Parenthood services. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ms. Diaz at (210) 400-8639 or mabel.diaz@pptexasvotes.org.

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“Women's health is a Texas value

and Texans value Planned Parenthood” —Alan Kramer, Board Chair, Planned Parenthood South Texas

A REPORT ON 2014 FUNDRAISING

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

$6,502,930 222 DONORS

$2,311,500 awarded in competitive grants

18 NAMED SPACES

ANNUAL FUND 2014

$1,941,028

1,407 DONORS—including 524 NEW donors!

634 ONLINE GIFTS

$646,901 competitive grant awards

HERE'S TO YOU

...and our shared success!

By any and every measure 2014 was an extraordinary year.

Not to suggest it was all smiles. It has been rough, but you know that. You hear what we’re up against. But the hard work has felt good. And amidst all of it, we have felt tremendous satisfaction knowing how your generosity and our hard work have combined into a winning combination for women and men and teens in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

Program in 2013, we watched our unduplicated client count fall. That decline has been very dispiriting for an organization that wants to help as many people as possible.

Surely you can imagine our happiness in reporting that after three consecutive years of decline, 2014 showed a 4.5% increase in unduplicated clients served. We have been working to become an organization that does not rely on revenues controlled by the Texas Legislature. We still have work ahead of us, but it feels good to see proof that we are moving forward and experiencing our first year of new growth.

Your generosity to the Annual Fund supported family planning that lifts up women; allows couples to decide whether, when and how many children to have; and ultimately gives those children the best chance for a strong childhood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list family planning as one of ten greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century—and for good reason. Planned Parenthood has long been the organization speaking out for family planning and providing that essential health care. If someone doesn’t understand our role in that, then they are just not paying attention to reality. Everyone who works here is so proud to be associated with Planned Parenthood, and we hope you feel the same way.

All of this happened while we were launching a capital campaign, Beyond The Horizon, to reposition our facilities and to comply with the terrible new abortion regulations passed by the Texas Legislature. Any fundraising consultant would have told us to wait on the capital campaign. But any entrepreneur would have told us what we all felt deep inside: we have to do this in order to become the organization that will survive, and thrive, in a new and ever-changing health care marketplace. Gifts and pledges to the capital campaign have reached a level that secures the new building. But don’t put your checkbooks away because we have three smaller relocations still to come.

The last few years have been difficult. As we lost the state family planning contracts in 2011 and the Medicaid Women’s Health 6 | HORIZONS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

There is infinite gratitude in the hearts of every person who works and volunteers at Planned Parenthood South Texas. We come to work knowing full well that what we do, and what we are planning to do in the years to come, is made possible by you and the decisions you have made to support this work.

Here’s to you. You give us so much to be thankful for.

TIM GUNN

2015 Annual Luncheon

“Planned Parenthood

South Texas makes it work!”

–Tim Gunn

Members of the 2015 Luncheon Committee with Mr. Gunn and models

On March 5, more than 1,000 supporters came together for Planned Parenthood South Texas’ largest annual fundraiser. Held at the Marriott Rivercenter in downtown San Antonio, the 2015 annual luncheon featured best-selling author and cultural icon, Tim Gunn. Of course most people know Tim Gunn from the popular television series, Project Runway, but Mr. Gunn has also been a longtime advocate for equality, using his celebrity status to lift organizations that address bullying, domestic violence, AIDS awareness and LGBTQ issues.

“We are kindred spirits in our beliefs and our priorities,” said Mr. Gunn in his conversation with Jeffrey Hons, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood South Texas. Throughout the conversation, Mr. Gunn stressed his philosophy that we’re in this together—no one can do it all alone and we need to help each other, “I don’t know of anything that I’ve done completely on my own, successfully,” he said.

Robert Parker, Ann Parker & Tim Gunn

Tim Gunn & Janet McNutt

Indeed, according to Harriet Oppenheimer, Luncheon Chair, “Lunch with Tim Gunn was a huge success because of the collaborative effort of so many generous sponsors and donors. Your support has helped ensure health care for so many women of South Texas, from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley, and for that you should be proud.”

The luncheon raised more than $465,000 (and counting) to fund the health care Planned Parenthood provides: family planning, testing and treatment of STDs, gynecological exams, cancer screenings and the treatment of cervical dysplasia to prevent the progression to cervical cancer.

To learn about the 2016 Luncheon, please contact Angela Koester, Director of Development at (210) 572-5278 or angela.koester@ppsouthtexas.org.

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Tim Gunn, Luncheon Chair Harriet Oppenheimer & Jeffrey Hons

Angelina Mata with gown she designed exclusively for the Luncheon. Proceeds from the sale of the gown were donated to Planned Parenthood. To see more of Ms. Mata’s exquisite work visit www.angelinamata.com.

Vintage “cigarette girls” distribute health information and PP goodies prior to lunch.

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Barbara Moschner, Tim Gunn & Judy Mocz ygemba

Ben Adams, Gabriella Scott, & Tim Gunn. Ms. Scott won the one-of-a-kind pair of earrings generously donated

by Ben Adams Precious Jewels & Fine Gifts.

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“This was the hardest ride of my life...”

–Gene Novogrodsky

SPIRIT OF '76 GENE NOVOGRODSKY Completes Ride for Reproductive Rights

Left to Right: David Boyer, Marge Boyer, Gene Novogrodsky, Ruth Wagner. David and Marge rode alongside Gene from Mission San Jose to downtown San Antonio.

Gene Novogrodsky, who turned 76 in January, commemorated his birthday and Planned Parenthood’s 76th anniversary with a 300-mile bike ride he called the Spirit of ’76. Accompanied by his wife, Ruth Wagner, who served as his one-woman road crew, Gene peddled from his home in Brownsville to San Antonio where both Ruth and Gene served as Honorary Chairs of the 2015 Lunch with Tim Gunn.

Gene began his journey early in the morning on February 26. Surrounded by friends, Gene left his Brownsville home at 6 a.m. and headed for his first stop in Edinburg.

The first day was sunny and mild, with a south wind that made the ride pleasant, though long. However on Friday, day two, a strong north wind came in, and for the rest of the ride, Gene peddled through harsh winds, dense fog and cold rain. Aside from the cruel weather, Gene also had to contend with cars and 18-wheeler trucks zooming past him at 80 miles an hour along Highway 281. These conditions did not deter him—Gene rode for six days straight, averaging 50 miles each day.

“This was the hardest ride of my life,” said Gene. “But it was all worth it. Making this journey has only made me more committed to fighting for Texas women’s access to health care—what it could mean for women in my town who could be forced to travel 300 miles to access safe, legal abortion, or women who can’t make that trip.”

By the time he was done, Gene had peddled through San Benito, Harlingen, La Feria, Mercedes, Weslaco, Pharr, McAllen, Edinburg...up to Falfurrias, then Alice, George West, Three Rivers and Pleasanton until finally making his last stop in downtown San Antonio. continued next page...

12 | HORIZONS | SPRING/SUMMERGene 2015 Novogrodsky peddles his bike from Brownsville to San Antonio.

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Friends gather in Brownsville to wish Gene safe travels.

Left to right: S.A. press interviews Gene at his arrival; Gene with his wife, Ruth Wagner.

Gene’s ride raised $16,900 to support health care provided at Planned Parenthood health centers in Brownsville and Harlingen. Gene also garnered national attention with articles about his ride appearing online in Cosmopolitan, the Huffington Post, and Salon. In the Rio Grande Valley and in San Antonio, Gene appeared on the local news advocating for family planning and access to health care.

THANK YOU GENE! Your undaunted dedication is an inspiration to all.

Spirit of ‘76 Let dawn break open the day May the wind warp the road and sail you ever northward May your bike channel the needs of women all along the way Let their voices fuel your mission –Charles "Chip" Dameron

PP advocates welcome Gene to San Antonio.

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WHAT OUR PATIENTS are saying

Today staff was very helpful in educating me in the next step to take with Medicare, and confirming my pregnancy. I was glad to hear an estimate of how far along I am. Thank you so much for your kindness and speedy results, as well as the knowledge of where to go next and which office is where. Thank you so much for your patience and kindness!

–Monica

Planned Parenthood has always been able to meet my needs, from answering questions to providing birth control. Friendly staff.

Thanks Planned Parenthood!

–Emily

Everyone has been very helpful and understanding when I have an appointment or come make a purchase. The employees are very nice and polite. Makes the experience a lot more comfortable.

–Caroline

I must say that my experience at this location was wonderful. I tend to get nervous about annual exams of any sort. The entire staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

I am so happy to have come to this location. Jennifer at the front desk greeted me quickly and was very nice. Connie informed me about the benefits of taking the Depo shot which I did choose. And Barb was great from beginning to end and made it a wonderful experience. Thank you ladies!

– Gina I went there today and they were very friendly, very efficient, very professional and affordable. I had a medical exam and was in and out within the hour. Way to go PPH!

– Jackie

Get the latest news on Planned Parenthood South Texas! See our new home!

We are planning a series of small receptions and tours so that you can visit the new facility and come see PPST’s new home. You will receive invitations in the coming weeks and throughout the rest of this year. BE SURE TO.....

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104 Babcock Road San Antonio, Texas 78201 210.736.2244

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