PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA SELECTS 20 CONNECTICUT YOUNG LEADERS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL ORGANIZING AND POLICY SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 13-15

NEW HAVEN, CT – July 12 - Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is proud to announce the 20 young leaders from their Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality (STARS) and Campus Action Intern programs, who have been selected to represent Connecticut young people at the Youth Organizing and Policy Conference in Washington, DC, from July 13-15, 2011. The diverse group of STARS attendees includes 15 young adults, ranging in ages from 16-19, who represent their communities from New Haven, New London and Hartford. Five young adult interns, ages 19-21 were selected from the Campus Action Intern programs at Wesleyan University, Eastern Connecticut University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Hartford and the University of Connecticut.

The youth conference is held in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America's 2011 Organizing and Policy Summit, which gives these youth leaders a critical opportunity to connect with peers from across the nation to sharpen their strategies, amplify their voices, and focus on their messaging. Over the three days, more than 400 youth leaders from across the country will hear from national experts on health care policy, share ideas for advancing our mission, and talk with members of Congress about the important role that Planned Parenthood plays in the lives of so many people in the United States.

"We are dedicated to developing and mentoring Planned Parenthood future leaders combined with coaching their own professional development," said Judy Tabar, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "Introducing these young adults to the conference is one of the many education and prevention initiatives that we are committed to supporting," added Tabar.

An unprecedented number of Planned Parenthood staff and youth leaders will be lobbying members of Congress on July 14th during the 2011 Lobby Day: Advocating for the Healthiest Generation. The team will visit with Connecticut political powers including visits to the offices of Rep. John Larson, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Chris Murphy, Rep. Joe Courtney, CT, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, CT.

Hundreds of participants including CEOs, public affairs staff, educators and young leaders – who are committed to transforming Planned Parenthood – will consider how to strengthen the brand, increase the number of people served and build our political power on Capitol Hill and in the states, and meet the challenges of health care reform during the Planned Parenthood Federation of America – 2011 Organizing and Policy Summit and Youth Conference.

Background

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England serves is the state’s largest provider of family planning and reproductive health care services, with 19 health centers in CT and Rhode Island, delivering care to nearly 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive. For 95 years, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England has provided health care and family planning services to women and men across the country. One in five American women has received care from a Planned Parenthood health center during her lifetime, and last year three million patients came to one of our more than 800 health centers. We are trusted by millions of women and families, and we deliver care to those who need it most.

STARS (Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality), the PPSNE teen peer educator program for a diverse group of high school students who, with training, become resources to other students at their schools, offering information about and referrals for sexual health and prevention services. Over 32 teens participate annually in this PPSNE program that originated in New Haven and now operates in Hartford, New London, Bridgeport, and Providence, RI as well.

Campus Action Intern is a college internship program of PPSNE that trains students from colleges across Connecticut and Rhode Island on how to be effective advocates for reproductive justice on their campuses. Interns attend monthly trainings at PPSNE where they learn about reproductive justice and other social justice issues and how to advocate and organize around those issues. Interns are then responsible for planning and organizing events or activities to advocate for and educate students about reproductive justice.