National Network Of Abortion Funds

Programs: Assisting clients who are unable to fully fund their abortion care: in fy 2014, noaf assisted 207 clients from throughout the gulf coast. These women call the hotline number and speak with an intake coordinator, who assists them in locating funds and makes pledges as available. The pledges are made through local partner clinics. In addition, noaf intake volunteers provided referrals and information to other callers, if pledges were not available. This amount reflects the intake coordinator stipend and the pledges.

combating medically-unnecessary regulations on abortion: in december 2014, the louisiana department of health and hospitals proposed onerous regulations on abortion service provision. These regulations were politically-motivated and designed to close abortion clinics. In response, noaf and other members of lcrf gathered over 8,000 letters and petition signatures opposing the regulations. These were taken to a public hearing in baton rouge, at which amy irvin and other members of lcrf testified. While the regulations were ultimately enacted, the existing clinics have not yet felt the impact. In addition, noaf worked with allies to educate the public and state policymakers about the impact of proposed legislation, including a proposed ban on sex-selective abortion.

supporting those seeking reproductive health: in addition to abortion funding, the new orleans abortion fund engaged in other activities to support people who need abortions. In july 2014, operation save america held its annual meeting in new orleans, and its members protested in new orleans, metairie, and baton rouge. Before the meeting, noaf and the feminist majority foundation hosted clinic escort and legal observer trainings and coordinated coverage for these three clinics and the home of a provider who was targeted. In addition, noaf co-hosted a candlelight vigil to resist antiabortion terrorism, which brought dozens of local activists and garnered extensive media coverage. In addition to that week, noaf hosed escort and observer trainings and coordinated clinic coverage for other major events, such as 40 days for life. In an effort to build regional support, noaf provides support for jackson women's health organization (the pink house) - meeting with the clinic administrator and the organizers of mississippi reproductive freedom fund, assisting with clinic defense, and supporting staff and patients. Finally, noaf co-sponsored protests at hobby lobby in harahan, a suburb of new orleans. Protestors distributed flyers on the negative impacts of denying birth control coverage, respecting religious liberty, and workers' rights.

community education: noaf was present and a participant at several key high-level conferences, meetings, and events to engage with and support partner organizations, meet potential donors, and build name recognition. Jessie nieblas was invited to present at the annual meeting of the american public health association (apha) in new orleans in november 2014. Her presentation, "saying the 'a word': abortion advocacy and access in louisiana," outlined noaf's client demographics, coalition-building activities, and activities opposing dhh and legislative attacks on abortion access. Jessie also gave this presentation as part of a panel sponsored by the center for reproductive rights in november 2014. Amy irvin presented at the national network of abortion fund's (nnaf) national organizing summit in st. Louis in june 2015. As part of a panel called "movement-building: funds in action," amy presented on noaf's coalition-building activities, specifically its alliance with labor and economic justice organizations. In addition, marlo barrera was accepted to the building the movement pre-summit program, an opportunity to engage more deeply in racial justice activism and build a community of support and action within the reproductive justice movement. Finally, amy was invited to be on a panel sponsored by the center for reproductive rights, in which she spoke on the impact of abortion restrictions on maternal and child health. In addition to presenting at conferences and high-level meetings, noaf attended and participated in other statewide, regional, and national conferences. A selection is listed below, in order of event date: * young catholic summit in washington dc, sponsored by catholics for choice (jessie nieblas) * emerging southern funds convening in atlanta, sponsored by nnaf (amy irvin, lamia abisamra, and mary ann landry) * pastoral care training in new orleans, sponsored by the religious coalition for reproductive choice (amy irvin, jessie nieblas, lamia abisamra) * louisiana queer conference in baton rouge, sponsored by several organizations (amy irvin) * rootscampla in new orleans, sponsored by several organizations (amy irvin) * national organization for women's annual conference in new orleans (amy irvin)

engaging supporters: as part of its fundraising and ally engagement efforts, the new orleans abortion fund hosted numerous events during this grant period. These ranged from large-scale annual events, to small and informal gatherings of supporters. Its two major events: the game-a-thon and sex ed bingo for all, engaged over 150 supporters from the community. In addition, noaf engages in many coalition-building and community engagement activities.

media: from its inception, noaf sought to destigmatize abortion by publicly discussing it as a common and essential procedure. A robust online presence and active engagement with the media, in addition to the public awareness activities described in further detail in sections below, helped to do this. A selection of print, online, and video media coverage can be found at: http://neworleansabortionfund. Org/media.