NYAAF Executive Director: “The Worst Isn’t Behind Us”
Dear supporter,
This past year has tested us all. A new administration kicked into high gear, relentlessly targeting our communities and loved ones like never before.
At NYAAF, in moments of uncertainty, we return to what we know: community care. But what exactly do we mean by that? Community care is the belief that our fates are intrinsically tied to one another's. It’s knowing that we already have the tools, conviction, and love to protect one another. It’s affirming that true power lies in the hands of the people, not in systems.
We believe that funding abortion is one critical part of community care. Reproductive Justice, a Black feminist framework, teaches us that bodily autonomy is foundational to a vision of liberation where all people can live with dignity. This is the world we fight for at NYAAF.
This year, NYAAF deepened our commitment to that fight. We grew into a team of seven who fight for our callers because we see in them our families and ourselves. We trained more volunteers and strengthened our clinic relationships. We completed our first-ever strategic plan and emerged with a refined vision, mission, and set of radical values to guide our goals. We strengthened our advocacy so that New York can become a true abortion safe haven. We fought like hell and imagined new worlds together. We funded abortion, together.
“Community care is . . . knowing that we already have the tools, conviction, and love to protect one another.”
In just over three years since the fall of Roe, we have met this moment of crisis by providing over $6M in direct abortion funding and supporting 8,561 abortion seekers from 40 states and 25 countries.
We have a lot to be proud of, but I’ll be honest—I know the worst isn’t behind us. Right now, states are debating new bans. In New York, it is estimated that 1.6M residents could lose insurance as a result of federal bill H.R. 1. Here and everywhere, clinics are closing. All of this means more abortion seekers will need NYAAF, more than ever.
I know at times fear can overwhelm us to the point of indifference. But in the face of systemic failure, you have helped us build a beautiful project of community care. Together, we have supported thousands of abortion seekers to get the care they need and deserve with dignity.
“[T]he worst isn’t behind us . . . [M]ore abortion seekers will need NYAAF, more than ever.”
The end-of-year gift you make today is a celebration of our fight so far and a light for our path ahead. I know many of you are monthly donors and longtime supporters, and I hope we can count on your support for another year—know you can always count on ours.
Yours in the struggle,
Chelsea Williams-Diggs
NYAAF Executive Director