Tag Archives: Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas visited the El Paso Community College Campus Thursday, along with campuses in other areas of the state, in order to bridge the gap in birth control access with resources and information for students.

According to PPGT officials, women who face unintended pregnancy in college are 65% more likely to interrupt their college experience.

Planned Parenthood added that their mission is to “increase accessibility to reproductive healthcare for all Texans so that they can keep their life goals like college graduation on track.”

A 2018 study by the University of Texas at Austin’ Texas Policy Evaluation Project showed that far too many women on community college campuses face barriers to accessing their preferred methods of birth control.

The study also highlighted that 69% of women on community college campuses would choose more effective forms of birth control than their current methods if things like cost and access to healthcare were not factors.

Nearly 1,000 community college students considered at risk for unintended pregnancy were surveyed about their use of contraception. Researchers found:

● 9 percent used an IUD or implant
● 21 percent used a hormonal method like the pill, ring, patch or shot
● 16 percent used no method
● 54 percent used condoms or withdrawal

IUDs and implants can prevent unintended pregnancies for up to 12 years depending on the device, and are the most effective form of reversible contraception. These birth control methods are known as “set it and forget it” and “whoops free” because they don’t require daily doses or regular appointments with a healthcare provider.

Yet, only 9 percent of the students surveyed currently use an IUD or implant, and only 21% use other hormonal forms of birth control like birth control pills or the patch. 70% use the least-reliable forms of contraception, including no method at all.

On Monday February 11, El Pasoans –  led by Border Network for Human Rights, Women’s March El Paso, former Congressman Beto O’Rourke – and in partnership with more than 45 other community partners, will take to the streets in the March for Truth.

Organizers share that the main reason for the march is to “stop the wall, stop the lies, and celebrate the El Paso community.”

Borderland residents will begin gathering along San Marcial Street next to Bowie High School at 5:00 p.m.

A brief rally featuring area leaders and community voices will begin at 5:30 p.m.; followed by a march a 6:00 p.m. and culminating in a celebration of community at Chalio Acosta Park on Shelter Place.

Women’s March El Paso is coordinating with a group of more than 60 local musicians including Fixed Idea, Radio La Chusma, Sinbuenos, mariachis and more to bring the Border region to life in South El Paso.

“We will unite to enjoy music, entertainment, and great company with the backdrop of our vibrant, multi-cultural region,” March officials said, “We look forward to showcasing our local talent and creating a family-friendly event that El Paso will be proud to promote to the rest of America.”

Via a news release, officials added:

“El Paso is a strong and safe community because of its people and its values. Border communities are a place of opportunity and hope. Trump’s fixation on a border wall and his distortions of life in El Paso and along the border are unacceptable. Our communities will always stand to include immigrants, oppose racism, and defend the truth. All of us must make a choice about whether we stand up for the truth or allow Trump to degrade our dignity and rights.”

Participating community organizers include: Border Network for Human Rights, Women’s March El Paso, Borderland Immigration Council, El Paso Democratic Party, New Mexico Democratic Party, ACLU Border Rights Center, Usual Suspects, El Paso Central Labor Council, Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee, Mexicanos En Exilio, Southwest Environmental Center, West Fund, Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe, LULAC El Paso, El Paso Equal Voice Network, El Paso Musicians United, HOPE Border Institute, La Mujer Obrera, AYUDA, Comite Justicia Laboral, Familias Unidas del Chamizal, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, ACLU of NM, ACLU of Texas, Big Bend Area Women’s March, Voto Latino, Battleground Texas Engagement Fund, Battleground Texas PAC, Latino Victory Fund, Onward Together, Our Revolution Texas, Deeds Not Words, Progress Texas, Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, Unidos US, Office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, Office of Texas Senator Jose Rodriguez, Office of Texas Representative Mary Gonzalez, Office of Texas Representative Lina Ortega, Office of Texas Representative Cesar Blanco, Office of Texas Representative Joe Moody, Texas Representative-Elect Art Fierro, El Paso City Representative Alexsandra Annello, Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke, Attorney Carlos Spector, Attorney Jessica Miles, Attorney Edwardo Beckett, Father Arturo Bañuelas.

WHEN: MONDAY FEBRUARY 11^TH AT 5:00 P.M.

WHERE: 801 S. SAN MARCIAL STREET to CHALIO ACOSTA PARK

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Below is more information from Beto O’ Rourke: 

Showcasing the Vibrancy of His Hometown, Beto O’Rourke to Participate in Monday Evening March and Will Speak at a Celebration of El Paso’s Culture, History, Diversity and Status As a Binational Community of Immigrants

EL PASO, TEXAS — Beto O’Rourke will join with his city on Monday evening to show the country the reality of the border — a vibrant, safe, binational community that proudly celebrates its culture, history, diversity and status as a city of immigrants. While some try to stoke fear and paranoia, to spread lies and a false narrative about the U.S.-Mexico border and to demand a 2,000 mile wall along it at a time of record safety and security, El Paso will come together for a march and celebration that highlights the truth.

The community will gather at Bowie High School at 5:00 p.m. MT and then march to Chalio Acosta Sports Center where the celebration of El Paso will occur. O’Rourke will speak around 7:00 p.m. MT from Chalio Acosta Sports Center, and the evening’s events are open to the press.

DETAILS
5:00 p.m. MT Gather at Bowie High School, 801 S San Marcial St. in El Paso
6:00 p.m. MT March to Chalio Acosta Sports Center, 4321 Delta Dr. in El Paso
6:30 p.m. MT Celebration of El Paso with music and speakers
7:00 p.m. MT Beto O’Rourke speaks at El Paso celebration

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Below is more information from Rep Veronica Escobar:

On Monday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m. MT, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and El Paso elected officials will hold a press conference to ask President Donald Trump to correct the record on his misleading State of the Union remarks about El Paso, and to apologize to El Pasoans for misrepresenting their hometown.

This press conference follows Congresswoman Escobar’s letter to President Trump inviting him to tour the community and to hear from local stakeholders to get a full understanding of the border.

WHO
U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar
Texas Representative César J. Blanco
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego
El Paso County Commissioner Carlos Leon

WHEN
Monday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m. MT

WHERE
Chamizal National Memorial, 1st Amendment Area
Entrance through the Delta Drive Gate

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City Services to be Affected Due to President’s Visit

EL PASO, Texas – Due to the anticipated visit of the President of the United States to the El Paso County Coliseum on Monday, February 11, the following City facilities and services will be affected.

The Parks and Recreation Department

Acosta Sports Center, 4321 Delta Dr., and the Hilos de Plata Senior Center, 4451 Delta Dr., will close at 1 p.m. Both facilities will resume normal operational hours on Tuesday, February 12.

El Paso Zoo

Closed for the day. The zoo will return to normal operations the following day, Tuesday, February 12.

El Paso Municipal Courts

Municipal Courts 1, 2, 4, and 5 cases set after 11 a.m. will be cancelled. All other municipal courts will not be impacted.

El Paso International Airport

Passengers are encouraged to check their flight schedules on the El Paso International Airport website or call their airline for their latest flight information. Click on “Flight Info” tab at www.flyelpaso.com

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Early release planned for some schools on Monday Presidential visit will impact 13 EPISD schools near Coliseum

EL PASO, TEXAS — Several El Paso Independent School District campuses near the site of a planned rally by President Donald Trump will have early release on Monday in anticipation of large crowds and potential traffic issues.
The schools, all of which are near the El Paso County Coliseum, will release students at noon on Monday. Classes at all campuses will resume as normal on Tuesday.
The impacted schools are:
• Aoy, Beall, Burleson, Clardy, Cooley, Douglass, Hart and Zavala elementary schools. The afternoon pre-kindergarten and Head Start sessions will be moved to the morning. . • Guillen and Henderson middle schools. • Bowie, Jefferson and Silva Health Magnet high schools.
All after-school activities for the impacted campuses are cancelled on Monday.
EPISD officials worked with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to determine an appropriate plan of action for the presidential visit. EPISD Police said there are is indication of road closures that may have impacted the operation and release time of schools outside the vicinity of the Coliseum.
The rest of the district’s schools, including Central Office, will operate on a normal schedule on Monday.

On Thursday, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas announced a return of their services to the El Paso area.

“El Paso is one of the largest cities in the U.S. without a Planned Parenthood health center. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas is changing that, providing El Paso with much-needed women’s and sexual healthcare services beginning in October,” officials said.

The clinic will officially open in October, at the location of the former Reproductive Services Clinic at 1511 East Missouri; however officials add that they will open a new facility in 2019.

Additionally, officials say the have applied for their abortion license through Health and Human services, which is still pending.  Until it is approved, the clinic will offer their regular slate of reproductive services for residents.

To schedule an appointment or for information, residents are asked to visit the clinic’s webpage.

Via a news release, officials shared: “Planned Parenthood health centers are open to anyone seeking affordable, accessible healthcare services including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control including long-acting IUDs and implants, annual exams, HIV tests, PrEP and PEP HIV prevention medication, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), treatment for urinary tract and vaginal infections, midlife services including hormone replacement therapy for women with menopausal symptoms, and other healthcare services.”

“Planned Parenthood offers same-day and on-line appointments to patients who are insured or uninsured, and regardless of income level or documentation status, and with medical staff who specialize in serving teens and LGBTQ patients,” officials added.

Appointments are scheduled online, or 1-800-230-PLAN.