Abortion Conversation Projects (ACP), a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to reducing abortion stigma through innovative grassroots efforts, has selected three new grant partners to fund. “Our newest choices of grant partners reflect the anxious climate currently in the United States, and the increased need to connect in our communities.” said Terry Sallas Merritt, ACP co-chair.
The Birth Justice Doula Training is a 3 day training to be facilitated by the Southern Birth Justice Network and Spiral Harbor Doula & Lactation. This training is focused on holistic birth and abortion care that is accessible and central to all, especially Black, Brown, immigrant, indigenous, queer, transgender, low-income and other marginalized communities. At the end of the three days, new doulas will be skilled in supporting people through the process of having a baby or an abortion. Trainees will also learn how to become organizers on a local campaign to expand Medicaid to cover doula support in Florida. “South Florida is considered pretty progressive when it comes to politics and culture. However, the conversation surrounding abortion is still a taboo. This Birth Justice Doula training is seeking to change that” says Tifanny Burks, reproductive justice community organizer and founder of Aya's Village.
Novelly in a Box is a new national initiative sparking the next generation of global citizens through Young Adult (YA) fiction. Two young women of color who are public health professionals are starting a virtual book club on Instagram and building a community of high school chapters for young adults to discuss stigmatized reproductive experiences. Each semester, Novelly will have a theme related to the UN Sustainable Development goals, also known as Global Goals, of (1) gender equality and (2) good health and well-being for all. Each semester features a YA novel touching on a theme, and Novelly is kicking off their inaugural semester by fostering nationwide conversations about abortion. Each semester will include reading, reflection, discussion, and at least four dialogue events. “The novel (format) humanizes abortion and builds empathy,” Novelly notes, “while the dialogue guide builds critical thinking.”
My Decision Project harnesses the power of stories through photographs and first-person narratives and intends to widen the public's understanding of abortion by humanizing those who have made the decision. Roslyn Banish has already interviewed and photographed a wide range of people who have had abortions. She will build a “traveling exhibit” of the photos and stories and hopes to reach communities in varied locations in the US. Banish has previously completed a similar project on HIV status.
These three new Grant Partners bring the total number of ACP-funded projects up to fifty-eight. Started in 2012, ACP’s seed grant program has most recently supported projects such as In This Together , a Michigan-based initiative which supports clinic staff and provides activities for children who may accompany patients, and “Not At Home”, a production launched by an Irish Theatre company which educated the public about women who have to leave their home country to access abortion care.
Abortion Conversation Projects is committed to eliminating the stigma of abortion by supporting individuals and small groups engaged in innovative community-based projects that create new ways and opportunities to talk about abortion honestly and publicly. Through Grant Partnerships, ACP collaborates on stigma busting projects. ACP’s work also includes webinars, trainings, workshops, and partnerships with our allies and grant partners. The next grant cycle is November 1, 2018. For more information and to join our mailing list, consult our website or our Facebook page.