So after Hurricane Irma battered Florida and Hurricane Maria sent more than 139,000 Puerto Ricans fleeing to the Sunshine State, Planned Parenthood’s Florida affiliates have launched a hurricane emergency fund to assist everyone affected by the disasters. Through a privately funded grant, the nonprofit’s 21 Florida locations are offering birth control, Plan
“People that are low-income or really on a tight budget, when these things happen, it can affect them for months and months on end,” says Christina Noce, communications director for Planned Parenthood of South,
Funding came from the JPB Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Barbara Picower, the widow of the biggest beneficiary of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi
Already, one local affiliate has treated 450 people through the fund, which became available several weeks ago and should remain for weeks to come for those who qualify.
Corinne Kirkland, a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood’s Kendall branch, says she’s seen scores of patients who are struggling after the storms. Some lost their jobs after evacuating, while others are paying for damage to their homes.
For those who were already cash-strapped, the extra costs could have put needed sexual and reproductive health care out of reach.
“They just don’t have any flexibility,” Kirkland says. “This fund is very helpful. Patients are very grateful.”
To learn more about Planned Parenthood’s emergency fund, visit plannedparenthood.org. Call 800-230-PLAN to make an appointment.
