What's Next for Reproductive Justice?

I'm writing this post on the heels of a very inspiring Roe v. Wade anniversary celebration at Hampshire College. We had the privilege of hearing from the incredible Loretta Ross, one of the founders of the Reproductive Justice movement. Many of us came away with a much better understanding of what Reproductive Justice means, and how the movement connects to Tapestry’s work in reproductive health.

Ms. Ross has written: “The Reproductive Justice framework analyzes how the ability of any woman to determine her own reproductive destiny is linked directly to the conditions in her community… Moving beyond a demand for privacy and respect for individual decision making to include the social supports necessary for our individual decisions to be optimally realized, this framework also includes obligations from our government for protecting women’s human rights.”

Looking at a woman’s right to choose through the lens of human rights broadens our perspective. How do we protect the right not to have a child, and also the right to have a child, and the right to parent the children we have in a safe, healthy environment?

Tapestry Health’s work, with its focus eliminating health care disparities, provides the nuts and bolts of Reproductive Justice by making sexual health care and the full range of birth control methods accessible to all. Still, the Reproductive Justice movement is asking us to do more, to address the economic and social disparities that underlie inequality along all three of these dimensions.

As Ms. Ross writes, “We have to address directly the inequitable distribution of power and resources within the [women’s] movement, holding our allies and ourselves responsible for constructing principled, collaborative relationships ... We also have to build the social, political and economic power of low-income women, indigenous women, women of color, and their communities so that they are full participating partners in building this new movement.”

A call to action, to be sure! We’d love to get some feedback from you about how we answer this call.  

Welcoming New Controller Kimberly Foster

As you may have seen in the papers recently, Tapestry Health now has a complete Executive Team. In December we welcomed Kimberly Foster as our new Controller and key financial leader for the organization. Kim has nearly 30 years of combined operations and financial management experience, including experience shepherding organizations through major transitions. During her tenure as Director of Finance and Administration at the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Kimberly assured an efficient and seamless executive leadership changeover. She comes to Tapestry from her position of Finance and Operations Director at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society in Northampton. Welcome, Kim!

Kim Foster, Controller

“For 15 years I worked in the for-profit sector in Boston. It was an excellent training ground, although I prefer to use my business skills for organizations that are helping people in practical, tangible ways. I was drawn to Tapestry Health because it is well-established and has a well-defined mission, as well as a track record of helping people in ways that can make a difference in their lives. Tapestry tracks the impact of its services very closely, and measures the outcomes. It is just so clear that we are making a difference.

I also have a background in contemplative practices. It makes me feel connected to humanity to use my skills to help serve diverse and underprivileged populations, and to provide health related services to those who would not otherwise be able to afford health care. I believe that all people are connected and that Tapestry’s work is an important and concrete expression of compassion for others. I find great satisfaction in offering my practical skills in support of Tapestry’s mission.”

Tapestry applauds AG Healey's Opioid Initiative

Photo credit: Mark M. Murray / The Republican

You have probably seen that our new Attorney General, Maura Healey, has designated the state’s crippling opioid crisis as her first major initiative as she takes office this month. Her attention to this issue means a lot to us here at Tapestry Health. Our harm reduction work includes a strong focus on reducing the terrible impact of opioid use, through our two syringe exchanges and ongoing nalaxone education and outreach programs. Every day our staff witness the devastating consequences of this crisis for our region.

In 2013 the death rate from opioid use in Hampshire County was 42% higher than that of the state. Current opioid overdose death rate in the Northwestern District Attorney’s catchment area (both Hampshire and Franklin counties) is 18.9 deaths per 100,000, as compared to the state’s 2013 rate of 10.1 per 100,000. 

Even these startling numbers don’t tell the full story. In our programs we see stigmatized opioid users who can’t access other desperately needed health services that could save their lives. We see how opioid-related deaths affect not only the immediate victim, but can lead to trauma for their families, friends and the community.  

Since 2007, Tapestry Health has participated in a statewide naloxone pilot program that aims to turn this crisis around. In 2014 alone, Tapestry trained 620 community members on how to recognize an opiate overdose, how to use nasal naloxone to reverse a possibly fatal overdose and distributed 1,476 nasal naloxone kits to community members.

We are so fortunate to have public officials like Maura Healey, our own DA Dave Sullivan, and many others who are willing to put this issue front and center and to support targeted efforts like these that we know make a difference. It’s vital that our region expand community education about opioids and their risks and work even harder to equip family and friends with the skills and tools necessary to save the life of a loved one that is overdosing.We look forward to working with the Attorney General’s office and local coalitions to develop a comprehensive response to this ongoing crisis.

For more information: http://bit.ly/1yZfjgG