Associated Press covers the deep effects of the recession on abortion funding across the country.
ABC News: Meltdown Impact Extends to Abortion, Birth Control
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7161386
Monthly Archive for March, 2009
To give you an idea of where the money donated on Facebook goes, yesterday NYAAF pledged $2700 to a woman who had no where else to turn to be able to obtain her abortion. Thank you to to all our Facebook supporters whose donations allow us to say “Yes, we can help you” when faced with emergency cases like this one.
$2700 is a big pledge for us. In 2008, we gave out just over $48,000 to 71 women who needed help paying for their abortions. At the moment, we have far less than that sum in our bank account.
And the calls keep coming. Since late last year, we have noticed an increase in the number of women seeking our help—a result we think of both the economic crisis and our own efforts to increase our reach by partnering with New York clinics beyond the five boroughs. In order to keep pace with the demand for our services, we have a lot of fundraising to do this year.
Please consider helping us out by donating here and inviting friends to join our cause. Share the NYAAF page on your profile, or follow the example of our friend Katha Pollitt by setting a fundraising goal and inviting friends to help you meet it.
NYAAF board members will post messages (on our wall, so as not to clutter your inbox) to let you know where the money goes; and once a month we will send a note like this one to update you on trends we are witnessing from the front lines.
Thank you for helping us help women and for spreading the word about NYAAF,
Leila
NOTES FROM THE NYAAF BOARD MEMBER HANDLING INCOMING CALLS FOR OUR ASSISTANCE THIS WEEK:
What a busy week for funding! NYAAF was able to assist five women to access abortion services, but we had calls or emails from 12 women! (some were able to get Medicaid, others were still making arrangements for their procedure so did not have them this week)
One case really highlighted for me the impact our current economy is having on us all, especially women who need health services. This caller had a history of difficult pregnancies and had no children because of her problems carrying to term. She called NYAAF because she and her partner were concerned that she was pregnant at this time…they realized that since he had lost his job and she could not afford maternity leave they would have a hard time raising a child or paying expensive medical bills that could result from a difficult pregnancy. She did not have insurance from her work but made too much to be eligible for Medicaid. She was making just enough money to get by so NYAAF stepped in and covered her abortion procedure.
In this tough economy we have a greater and greater need to support women so that abortion is not just accessible, but also affordable and funded!
Karlin
