A newly formed Chaffee County action group, Chaffee County Women Who Care, has already made a significant difference to the lives of women. Meeting for the first time in October, they voted at that meeting to make their first contribution to the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, ear-marking the $6000 donation for STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing at the Salida Health center.
Making a presentation to the group that evening, Shelley Schreiner, manager of the Salida Health center, explained the significant need in the county for testing and the role that Planned Parenthood plays in providing healthcare for low-income women. The center provides healthcare regardless of a woman’s ability to pay. It offers STD testing not just to women who come to the clinic, but to their partners as well.
“We are so grateful to the Women Who Care group and for Chaffee County’s continued commitment to caring for the health of our community and ensuring that everyone has access to sexual and reproductive health care, no matter what,” said Schreiner accepting the $6000 donation.
The structure of the action group follows a model for the Midwest; Chaffee County Women Who Care will meet quarterly, alternating meetings between Salida and Buena Vista. At each meeting members are able to put their name in the basket if they want to present a project or non-profit organization for funding. Three names are drawn and three presentations are heard. At the end of the presentations and following a question and answer session, members vote. The organization receiving the most votes receives a $100 donation from each member of Women Who Care.
The group has already set its January meeting for January 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.. Women interested in learning more about the group can email to beverlyvankampen@sbcglobal.net or can visit the
Chaffee County Women Who Care Facebook page.
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