In the last year, KHJN has continued to grow and deepen work in Kentucky, as well as cross-regionally. We are positioned at the cusp of the South and the Midwest, and are bordered by seven states, most of which are red. Because of our geographical location as part of the Bible Belt, we believe it is necessary to be bold and unapologetic in our work to improve access to contraception, abortion, and gender affirming healthcare for all Kentuckians. Our direct support and community engagement programs include: All Access EKY; Abortion Support Fund; and Trans Health Advocacy. Through these programs we provide access to fact-based information, as well as financial and practical assistance including transportation, lodging, childcare, emotional and logistical support, and more.
Each year, our programs support more and more Kentuckians, and others from our regions. In 2018 our programs accompanied over 700 callers. In 2019 we increased that number to over 1200. Through partnerships and memberships with other reproductive health, rights, and justice groups throughout the South and Midwest, as well as national organizations including National Advocates for Pregnant Women, National Network of Abortion Funds, Power to Decide, National Institute for Reproductive Health, and Abortion Care Network, we are able to strengthen a foundation to make sure folks can access the care they need with dignity, both now, and in the future.
In the last year, KHJN has been fortunate to become the new home for the national conference: Take Root - Red State Reproductive Justice. It’s our honor to carry the legacy of creating this foundational space for red state connections and organizing, particularly at such an important time. The 2020 conference will take place on October 17 & 18.
Due to unpredictable challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be planning the first ever virtual Take Root conference! While this new format will lack some traditional conference experiences, we think this is the most responsible action in accordance with CDC guidelines, and taking into account unknown hardships faced by potential attendees. We also see this as an exciting opportunity that will allow the participation of people who would not have been able to travel to Kentucky.
KHJN is committed to preserving Take Root’s tradition of honoring Indigenous people, and the stolen land we occupy. We are also excited for this opportunity to uplift historical and contemporary movement work by and for Black and immigrant communities in Kentucky, and the South, as well as in poor rural communities where poverty and addiction thrive in counties with no treatment, or prenatal care available. This allows us to better realize that power rooted in Red State activism must be cultivated in order to propel a movement towards achieving reproductive justice.
Each year, our programs support more and more Kentuckians, and others from our regions. In 2018 our programs accompanied over 700 callers. In 2019 we increased that number to over 1200. Through partnerships and memberships with other reproductive health, rights, and justice groups throughout the South and Midwest, as well as national organizations including National Advocates for Pregnant Women, National Network of Abortion Funds, Power to Decide, National Institute for Reproductive Health, and Abortion Care Network, we are able to strengthen a foundation to make sure folks can access the care they need with dignity, both now, and in the future.
In the last year, KHJN has been fortunate to become the new home for the national conference: Take Root - Red State Reproductive Justice. It’s our honor to carry the legacy of creating this foundational space for red state connections and organizing, particularly at such an important time. The 2020 conference will take place on October 17 & 18.
Due to unpredictable challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to be planning the first ever virtual Take Root conference! While this new format will lack some traditional conference experiences, we think this is the most responsible action in accordance with CDC guidelines, and taking into account unknown hardships faced by potential attendees. We also see this as an exciting opportunity that will allow the participation of people who would not have been able to travel to Kentucky.
KHJN is committed to preserving Take Root’s tradition of honoring Indigenous people, and the stolen land we occupy. We are also excited for this opportunity to uplift historical and contemporary movement work by and for Black and immigrant communities in Kentucky, and the South, as well as in poor rural communities where poverty and addiction thrive in counties with no treatment, or prenatal care available. This allows us to better realize that power rooted in Red State activism must be cultivated in order to propel a movement towards achieving reproductive justice.