MISSION & VISION
Friends of Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard supports the Family Planning Clinic on the island. We support compassionate, inclusive, life spectrum sexual health care for all people in our community. Our vision is an island where all people are empowered to access quality sexual health services in a non-judgmental, affirming, respectful environment.
As all abortions are not available on Island, FOFP helps offset the costs of traveling off-Island for this procedure.
Funded by Friends of Family Planning and our Donors
Friends understand the importance of people’s choice for abortion. We also understand the hardship that often comes with the cost of traveling off island, leaving work, and covering expenses. We work to raise awareness and funds for just these. Financial assistance from this fund, up to $1,000 is available to any person to assist with the financial costs associated with obtaining an abortion, either medical or surgical. Generally, these funds are distributed as a reimbursement for costs such as medical professional charges, co-pays for medication, and transportation to and from the appointment for the patient and a companion. A request for reimbursement must include receipts from providers, as well as travel, medications, and co-pay expenses. If it is more helpful for the fund to directly pay the provider for the procedure, this can be arranged. This fund is supported by our board members and donors, but any repayments, on any schedule, from participants are welcome and appreciated so other people have the same support. One can contact Friends of Family Planning directly by email; fofpmvi@gmail.com or through the Health Imperatives clinic staff 508-693-1208. If one is looking for clinics supporting either procedure, Health Imperatives is available for this support and Friends’ website: friendsoffamilyplanning.org has lists under the resources tab.
More than 350 boxes of high-quality, organic menstrual products were donated by Friends of Family Planning of Martha’s Vineyard to the Island Food Pantry, and the Martha’s Vineyard Family Planning Clinic to give to their visitors for two months.
Menstrual products are expensive and are not covered by government benefits. Terre Young, President of the Friends of Family Planning explains the genesis of this program, “While interviewing a prospective board member, Kayte Morris who works at the food pantry, I learned that neither WIC nor SNAP coupons could be used to purchase menstrual products. Kayte told us that the Food Pantry receives supplies from the Greater Boston Food Bank and those products are the least desirable for various reasons but that they fly off the shelves. What an honor it is to make such an important difference to women and their families in our community. I thank my board and every generous donor to this project and to our mission.”
Half of the population will have periods for up to forty years of their life. That is 450 menstrual cycles at a cost of thousands of dollars for the tampons and pads needed. Costs are even higher when medication, replacement underclothing, heating pads, and other necessary supplies are included. Time off and lost wages make menstruation even more costly. We can do more to stop period poverty. Friends estimate that it takes about $1,000 per month to supply these products to women in need.
Kayte Morris, Executive Director of the Island Food Pantry was ecstatic, “Feminine hygiene products are some of the most sought-after and least-donated items at the pantry. This program has enabled us to meet our client’s needs beyond simple nutrition, and this partnership has really created a channel of support and solidarity for women in need on the Vineyard. It’s really wonderful to be a part of a community that cares so deeply and holistically about each other.”
The Monthly Tide Project was made possible through community donations and partnerships with Conroy’s Apothecary and Cronigs Market who generously discounted products for this initiative. This new project is only funded for a few months, but given its popularity among recipients, we hope to continue donating and provide additional options such as reusable products.
The Monthly Tide, End Period Poverty project is ongoing and now with the Food Pantry being supported by Dignity Matters of Framingham, we supply the clinic only. This fiscal year, 9-2021 to 8-2022 shows expense to this important purchase as $7,584. Next Fiscal year may just show half this amount. Since 2018, when we created this project to supply both the clinic and Food Pantry with free environmentally sound supplies, we have spent a total of $23,884., and received gifts from the community of $4675. Of course we will continue this valuable support and we hope the community will join us!
YOU CAN HELP! Donate via mail or click here
and indicate “Monthly Tide Project” on your donation to support this initiative.
Our Mailing address is:
Friends of Family Planning
Post Office Box 4165
Vineyard Haven MA 02568
Find us on FACEBOOK to help us spread the word!
2018 – Ongoing
Providing free menstrual products to women of the clinic and food pantry. Partnering with Conroy Apothecary first, and Cronigs. The board pledged to give $1000 a month to this project and the volume is also easier for Cronigs to handle. Board members were encouraged to contribute to this project and we have also hoped to raise funds for this as well. There is a board committee working on ways to raise awareness of this effort as well as raise dollars to fund it! We received a generous gift from a community member and when I met with the donors, they insisted that we use the money to “empower women” no other restrictions. We decided that we could use these funds for the monthly tide project, and we will keep our eye on other opportunities to use these funds!
In fy 2018 -2019 we raised $4149 and spent $3477. In the first 9 months of FY 2019 -2020, we raised $1050 and spent $5898.
Vasectomy Reimbursement Program
Funded by Friends of Family Planning and our Donors
This program will reimburse any person up to $1,000 for costs associated with obtaining a vasectomy. Costs may include medical procedure charges, co-pays for medication, transportation to and from the appointment, and costs associated with follow-up testing. A request for reimbursement must include receipts from providers, as well as travel, medications, and co-pay expenses. If it is more helpful for the fund to directly pay the provider for the procedure, this can be arranged. Repayments to this program from participants are welcome and appreciated so other people have the same support. One can contact Friends of Family Planning directly by email; fofpmvi@gmail.com or through the Health Imperatives clinic staff 508-693-1208