Planned Parenthood has a Long History Providing Reproductive Services in NW Ohio Renovations to Center Improves Services By TSN Staff Throughout the twentieth century, progressive community leaders in the Toledo area have combined activism and philanthropy to improve the health of people in our community. Indeed, when Toledo activist Paula Secor held the fi rst meeting of the Maternal Health Association with other local activists in 1937, she may not have anticipated the legacy they would leave behind. In 1938, the Maternal Health Association opened the fi rst family planning clinic in Toledo, providing diaphragms—the only birth control available at that time—to patients who chose to plan their families and their lives. In 1944, this clinic came to be, and still serves as, the fi rst and only Planned Parenthood location in Northwest Ohio. The Toledo Health Center serves residents of this region, as well as people from Michigan and Indiana, who have limited access to reproductive health care locally. In addition, the newly expanded telehealth program allows Planned Parenthood to serve communities where patients struggle to access reproductive health care. Even amid political opposition and a global pandemic, the doors remain open to patients. Thousands of Toledoans rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, annual exams, cancer screenings, HIV testing and counseling, and general reproductive health care. Nearly half of the patients we serve at the Toledo Health Center live below the Federal Poverty Level. Renovation to Clinic “We envision a renovated and upgraded health center that allows us to better serve the Northwest Ohio community through reproductive and limited primary health care and education,” said Laurel Powell Director of Media Relations & Advocacy Communications. “This investment will provide an improved patient experience and will ensure that our facilities match our progressive and inclusive values.” So that Planned Parenthood can provide uninterrupted care to patients, the health center will be temporarily relocated to the second fl oor of the existing building while renovations are ongoing. Renovation will take place from November 2020 through March 2021. “We value the role of the Toledo community in this work,” said Powell, “Which is why we are hiring local vendors for construction, design, carpentry, landscaping, and other aspects of this project. Once the renovation is complete, we will move the health center and staff from its temporary location on the second fl oor to the new, fi nished space on the fi rst fl oor.” The new health center will provide: Dignifi ed care in a modernized setting The new health center will refl ect the modern services offered and will enable the staff to see more patients. An additional consultation room will enable the expansion into limited primary care including the diagnosis and management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. A new space to provide telehealth care will allow staff to meet patients’ needs virtually. Increased comfort for the patients The renovations will ensure that all members of the community feel welcome to the facility for inclusive health care. A reimagined waiting room with new fl ooring will allow patients to fi nd a comfortable space as they wait for their appointments. Although the center is already ADA-compliant, the renovations will make it even more comfortable for the patients with disabilities. Dedicated space for education and advocacy The renovated health center will include space devoted to community and education activities. Health education work will be strengthened by having an appropriate space to host education sessions and community meetings. In particular, the health center will provide a home for the Peer Education program, empowering local youth to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Ways you can help. Donate. Support reproductive health care and comprehensive sexual health education for our Ohio communities. Visit supportppgoh.org and make your contribution today. Volunteer. Share your time and talent to make a difference in your community and volunteer to show you stand with reproductive health care. Learn about Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio at www. ppao.org. Be fearless. Create your own Fearless Fundraiser, a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that allows you to rally your community in support of reproductive health care and freedom. More information can be found in this toolkit. Become a patient. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio provides essential reproducf tive health care services for all Ohioans. Find a health center and make an appointment online or by calling 800-230-PLAN. Stay in touch. Receive regular email updates and the latest news about our health centers and patient services, our newsletter, invitations to events, and more. Share Your Story. Each of us has a powerful story that has the ability to inspire others to action and conveys how valuable Planned Parenthood is to our communities. Learn about our Education & Outreach services. The Ohio Center for Sex Education offers fact-based sex education classes in high schools, on college campuses, and in communities across Ohio. To learn more about our programming, email healtheducation@ppoh.org. Page 13
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