Good Monkeys

Protecting Reproductive Health

Founded in 1940 by a group of concerned citizens, the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood's mission is to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices.

The organization provides a wide range of services towards this mission.

At their center in Richmond, VA, the group offers affordable and confidential health care including birth control and emergency contraception, 1st trimester abortion services, reproductive health services for men, women, and teens, HIV testing and counseling, and screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

They have even expanded to include pre-natal care for low-income women who are not eligible for Medicaid.

One of the primary focuses of VLPP is education. Their Becoming a Responsible Teen program is a culturally appropriate, HIV prevention curriculum designed especially for African-American adolescents in non-school, community-based settings.

In addition to the BART program, the VLPP website offers a host of information about birth control, pregnancy and sexual health. There is even a special section for to help parents talk to their kids about sex.The information isn't just for women; there is lots to learn for men also.

VLPP is undergoing a major project this year and expanding their building and services dramatically. If you know an individual or group that would interested in helping raise money for their capital campaign, please contact VLPP.

As the daughter of a woman who had her first child at eighteen because of inadequate access to education and health services, I'm thankful for organizations like VLPP. Please consider spreading the word if you know a young man or woman who needs information.

The Power of Hope

Helping Hands Women's Outreach Ministries is a Richmond, VA- based program for women dealing with drug and alcohol addiction or suffering from physical or sexual abuse. Typical clients come to the program as they are being released from prison or while on probation.

Says one program participant, "I am so thankful for this program.  I came from an alcoholic family.  Both of my parents were alcoholic.  I started drinking and using drugs at the age of 12."

"I went to prison and tried several other treatment programs, they didn’t work.  I am so thankful that today, I am clean and sober.  I will live my life helping and supporting Helping Hands Women's Outreach Ministries and the Emotional Healing Class. I thank God for all of the wonderful people I’ve met in this program.  They have become family to me."

It is stories like this that drive founder Alice Washington. Just four short years after starting her ministry she was honored as one of 30 finalists for the Women of Peace Award.

HHWOM's program concentrate on three areas of healing - physical, mental and spiritual. Faith plays a large part in the work of the organization and participants. Phase two of the four-step healing process focuses on how faith and spiritual beliefs are important parts of healing process and how faith can provide participants with a sense of purpose and guidelines for living drug-free lives.

"Since taking this class, I have a new life!  I have learned how to love myself and others. I have learned to forgive others because God is a forgiving God.  God has put positive people in my life.  My future plans are to continue working with my sponsor, keep going to church, and continue working on my relationship with my God," says another program participant.

Helping Hands Women's Outreach Ministries’ new transitional housing facility at 2910 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia opened on September 1, 2007.  This is a place where women in recovery from substance abuse can continue to get much needed support to enhance their chances of a successful long-term recovery.

Founder Washington is looking for help expanding her programs to reach more women. If you can help with donations or volunteer, please contact her at hhwom@comcast.net. She has specifically asked for someone with PR experience to help out.