Service Learning Proposal

Lydia Haver
Meredith Tweed
Wst 3015- 002
02/15/12

Contact information:
Title of proposal: VOX service learning community partners, spring 2012.
Name of community partner: VOX
Group members: Charlotte A, Erika S, Scott V, Kelsey G

Community partner profile:
Name: VOX, Voices of Planned Parenthood
Contact: Alexa Nelen

Community partner mission statement: “Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood-UCF chapter exists to educate the University community about reproductive health and rights, to translate increased awareness into pro-choice activism on campus, and to serve as a coalition partner to state, national, and international reproductive rights efforts” (VOX UCF).

“Through Vox, college students across the country organize events on campus to raise public awareness about reproductive health and rights, educate young people at concerts about sexual health, work with and support their local Planned Parenthood health centers, and mobilize advocates of reproductive rights.” (Planned Parenthood)

Political/and or social basis for organization: VOX strives to obtain equal reproductive justice for women. VOX works with Planned Parenthood to help achieve this goal. Equal reproductive rights for women are being threatened by a number of political initiatives in which Planned Parenthood is opposed to. Some current concerns that will be addressed this semester are: birth control refusal under the affordable health care act, pro-life protests at the Planned Parenthood clinics, general access to sex education and contraception.

Community partner needs: Many of Vox’s activities are reactions to things that are going on politically therefore, the organizations needs may not be known that far in advance. Some of the organizations immediate requests include:

• People to solicit donations for the “Lets Talk About Sex” event- This is a benefit event that has a lot of raffle prizes, games, and music. We have been asked to go to businesses and ask for donations for the event.
• Clinic escorting-We will be helping patients safely enter Planned Parenthood when protestors are present. Training is necessary for this and VOX will provide this later on in the semester.
• Tabling oustside of the student union- A table is set up in which members of VOX inform students who approach the table about safe sex, current reproductive issues, any questions they may have. VOX also has condoms readily available for students.

VOX is a pretty active student organization so more events are likely to come about as the semester progresses.

Rationale for Women’s Studies: The subject of reproductive health and rights is one very important aspect of women’s lives. By advocating these rights, women can be given more freedom to exercise their sexuality in a safe, healthy, and positive way. As first brought into the public eye by radical feminism, part of the Second Wave, sexual and reproductive rights have become a huge priority in modern-day feminism (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 12). Being allowed access to things like contraceptives, STI testing, and abortion services can have an effect on women, regardless of age, race, sexuality, or experience. In this sense, it is a point of connection between women of many different walks of life. Whether or not someone is sexually active, other things sex education and reproductive health that Planned Parenthood provides are things that everyone can benefit from, female or otherwise. The concept of the pro-choice movement insinuates that this is a cause about women having a choice about their sexuality, body, and future.

By getting involved with VOX, we can help to educate students on campus and turn that education into action, as the UCF VOX group mission statement says.

Action: We have met with Alexa Nelen, the president of VOX at UCF. She is aware that we are available for service learning and has made some requests in regards to getting donations for “Lets Talk About Sex.” We will continue to attend meetings throughout the semester and respond to needs as they become apparent.

Timeline: Again, new needs will arise as the semester progresses, so a full timeline is not possible at this time. Some presently known events include:

• “40 Days of Life,” a 40-day sustained nationwide protest targeting Planned Parenthood clinics, will last from February 22nd through April 1st. There will be a recurring need for clinic escorting throughout this event.
• A training session for clinic escorting will occur “in the coming weeks,” according to meeting notes from VOX’s Facebook group.
• “Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby,” which will happen “sometime in March” according to VOX’s website.
• Tabling will occur throughout the semester.

Works Cited

VOX. "Events." VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood at UCF. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Feb. 2012. .

http://www.40daysforlife.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/2200915873/

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/boards-initiatives/youth/college-campus-groups-4638.htm

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2010. 12. Print.

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