As we all head into a busy holiday season, it’s natural to take stock of the last year. I’ve been doing the same, and I must say, what a year it’s been here at DCAF!
With supporters and volunteers by our sides, this tiny little fund has been through a lot. Today,I am proud to announce the release of our 2011 Annual Report, which details some of these highlights of our work:
Our call volume has quadrupled since FY 2007. 2,033 women and girls called the DCAF helpline – averaging 169 calls per month.
DCAF pledged $84,830 to 515 women in need. The amount of grants given to patients increased 24% from last year.
Our team of volunteer case managers has increased to 20, enabling us to keep pace with our ever-increasing call volume and serve more women.
I won’t lie; the last year has been challenging. In April, we saw Congress take away the District of Columbia’s autonomous use of locally-raised revenues to pay for abortion care, leaving women in need with no governmental support. But our pro-choice community rallied to allow DCAF to step up and keep abortion accessible for those women. It’s not the first time we’ve come together, and it won’t be the last.
What’s more, the Virginia legislature passed Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) legislation, which may force some of our partner clinics to close their doors, further reducing access. And in Maryland, with Dr. LeRoy Carhart providing advanced abortion care, our fund has taken on even more responsibility to help women in dire circumstances be seen by a provider.
But through these difficult times, the one constant has been our incredible supporters like you. I am confident that we are up for the challenge. This is our fund – yours and mine – and together, we’ll continue doing what needs to be done to make access a reality for the women that need us.
The DC Abortion Fund’s annual Peace, Joy, and Choice holiday party and silent auction fundraiser is just a few days away! Donate online today to purchase advance tickets and save time the day of the party!
Peace, Joy, and Choice
Monday, Dec. 12, 2011
6-9pm
$20 suggested donation online and at the door!
All ages, 21 to drink – happy hour till 7:30pm
Wheelchair-accessible – DCAF volunteers outside venue to provide guidance
This year’s silent auction will surely have a gift for everyone on your list:
The politico – Win a date with DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton or MD Delegate Ariana Kelly!
The sports hooligan – Win 2 Capitals tickets or an autographed Caps jersey!
The foodie – Win a prize pack from Top Chef Richard Blais or a cooking class at CulinAerie!
And don’t forget to treat yourself – local restaurants, yoga studios, adult toy companies and more have donated items for you to win!
Don’t miss out! Pre-register online to get your tickets now, and we’ll see you on the 12th!
The DC Abortion Fund commends Delegate Eleanor Holmes Nortion, Mayor Vincent Gray, and the D.C. Council for rejecting this week Rep. Darrell Issa’s flawed “autonomy” bill for the District of Columbia. We thank them for continuing to affirm today that women’s rights are non-negotiable in the District of Columbia. We remain fully committed to the goal of D.C. legislative autonomy, and look forward to working with local and national leaders to create a just system of government for D.C. residents and all Americans.
1) We are a single-issue, small nonprofit. We give small grants to women and girls who can’t pay for the full cost of an abortion. Almost all of our resources go directly toward operating our free, confidential funding assistance helpline, which is open 7 days a week.
2) We are an all-volunteer, grassroots organization. We have no office or paid staff. We ask pro-choice artists, vendors, and organizations to donate their time and resources to DCAF, and they come through for us each year. This means we have low overhead and your donation will reach the women who need it most.
3) A little donation goes a long way. We pledge an average of $165 per patient toward her abortion. We won’t solve all of her problems, but this is one burden we can lift from her shoulders. Learn more about 3 of our patients here.
What are your reasons for donating to DCAF? Follow us on Twitter @dcabortionfund and tell us what DCAF means to you. This organization exists because activists like you are making it possible. We are so grateful for your ongoing support and well wishes.
Spread the word! The DC Abortion Fund is part of Give to the Max Day, tomorrow, November 9th!
Can you help? Anyone can take part in this exciting day by supporting your local abortion fund, the DC Abortion Fund — including you! Give to the Max Day is a one-day event benefiting nonprofits in the DC metro area. It’s THE “online day of giving” – with a goal to get tens of thousands of DC-metro area residents to support their favorite local cause and raise more than $3 million in just 24 hours!
A simple $10, $20, or $35 donation from you can multiply like lightning – especially if you help DCAF mobilize. We need your help to spread the word and join in the fun! Here are the details:
Get creative – pool your office breakfast money, offer to match, dollar for dollar, the first $100 raised during the lunch hour, skip happy hour and donate the drink tab – for the group.
Please help us spread the word. Hundreds of women and girls depend on generous donors like you to help turn their lives around and give them the gift of choice. Let your voice and wallet have a ripple effect on a day when all eyes will be looking to see who gives – and where!
This Tuesday, November 8, 2011 is Election Day in a number of states and counties across the country, including Virginia and the city of Baltimore, MD.
In Virginia, polls open 6am and close 7pm. Use the Virginia State Board of Elections website to find your local polling station and learn about voting in Virginia.
In Baltimore, polls will be open 7am to 8pm. Use the Maryland State Board of Elections website to find your local polling station and learn about voting in Maryland.
In Mississipi, voters will decide whether or not to approve Ballot Initiative 26, a fetal personhood amendment that would legally label fertilized eggs as a person from the moment of conception. Check out Loretta Ross’s great post about the race, class, and gender implications of the amendment and how the feminist movement can organize around this issue.
The District of Columbia is not holding elections on the 8th. The next election will be a primary on April 3, 2012. Use the DC Board of Elections and Ethics website to learn about voting in DC.
The votes you cast in these important elections affect your family, community, the country, and the lives of billions of people around the world. Anti-abortion legislators and organizations are mobilizing across the country to ban abortion and limit our reproductive freedoms, so fight back this Tuesday by casting your ballot for a progressive, just future.
To get you excited for the election, here is a classic feminist call-to-arms ditty from the movie Mary Poppins:
‘Tis the season to get your learn on, get angry, and drink for charity! Add these engagements to your social calendar…
This week:
Tuesday, October 18
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence DV Awareness Month Happy Hour
4:30-9:00pm
15 Ria – 1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW (Woman-powered restaurant!)
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
Officewarming Happy Hour
5:30-7:30pm RSVP for address
Wednesday, October 19
Black Women’s Health Imperative Moving Beyond Pink Happy Hour
6:00-9:00pm
Tabaq Bistro and Lounge – 1336 U St. NW
Thursday, October 20 Wild Flag – riot grrl supergroup’s sold out show
8:00pm Doors
Black Cat – 1811 14th St. NW
October 16-22
YWCA-National Capital Area Week Without Violence (No alcohol but still important)
Next week:
Tuesday, October 25
Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington Annual Champions of Choice Luncheon
DCAF will receive PPMW’s Community Sponsorship Award!
12:00-2:00pm
Capital Hilton Hotel – 1001 16th St. NW
Thursday, October 27 The Fight to Fly at Sea: A Historical Perspective on Women in Naval Aviation
8:00pm
National Air and Space Museum – Independence Ave at 6th St. SW
Now is the time to speak up for women in Virginia!
As a result of Senate Bill 924, the Virginia Board of Health voted on September 15, 2011 to approve the most onerous anti-choice regulations of women’s health centers in the country.
DCAF is helping the Virginia Coalition to Protect Women’s Health call on the governor to protect women’s access to reproductive health care by rejecting these regulations.
On October 15, the coalition needs pro-choice supporters like you to show up in person in Richmond for our Rally for Women’s Health. You will carry a simple message: the War on Virginia Women ends now.
Bus seats will cost $15 for adults and $10 for young people and students. Kids accompanied by the paying adult(s) are free. Inability to pay should not deter you; scholarships are available on the RSVP page.
We’re arranging buses from several regions and we’ll give you all the training and materials you need. You’ll meet other pro-choice activists from around Virginia and be able to make a direct impact.
When we show up in Richmond, we’ll send a clear message to the governor, politicians and the media – we’re fed up with these attacks and we’re ready to fight for our right to choose.
