History
85 Summer of 1985 - Two separate groups, one led by Sally Cox and Isabel West and the other by members of the Unitarian Church, joined together forces to support the local family planning clinic located on Cromwell Lane in Vineyard Haven. “We wanted to help Patty Begley (Director of the family planning clinic) in any way we could, so that first summer we volunteered in the office answering the phone, ran errands, solicited money and paid for ads in the local newspapers.”
86 December 1986 - Bylaws adopted and first board of 22 directors elected. John Wehncke and Treasurer Al Mentzel gained non-profit status, and the group officially become the Friends of Family Planning (FOFP) with a mission to support the Island’s only Family Planning Clinic
90 1990 – Decrease in state and federal funds threatened the existence of the local clinic so FOFP began to raise funds to support the Clinic through an Art Show led by Liza Coogan and Michael Wild
91 1991 – Teen Pregnancy Coalition started by Clinic staffer Miryam Gerson and financially supported by FOFP.
96 1996 FOFP - The Dukes County Health Council was established by the Dukes County Commissioners in 1996 to continue the work of the Health Care Access Committee. Family Planning clinic staff attends meetings, represents women and reproductive health concerns and FOFP provides seed money to start the Council.
STD Clinic and Brazilian outreach worker is funded by FOFP. Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School rejects Clinic presence in the school due to concerns about parental consent needed for advice and/or testing.
08 2008 Friends purchased and renovated a condo on State Road in Vineyard Haven to provide a stable, low-cost location for the Family Planning Clinic. Clinic begins HIV rapid testing and vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
10 2010 FOFP receives grant from Martha’s Vineyard Permanent Endowment Fund (now MV Community Foundation) to create an organizational website.
17 2017 – Mortgage for the Clinic space paid off.
Proposal with Dukes County Health Council for Rural Scholars Project accepted in October, 2017 and study completed in 2018.
2017 - Clinic was severely damaged by a hot water heater flood and, during renovations, Clinic provided services from to hospital for 3 months
18 2018 - Last Friends of Family Planning Art Show and new fundraising plan for smaller events. The first was a community forum at the Whaling Church in April: Lifting the Veil – Abortion Access on Martha’s Vineyard. FOFP Awarded Health Imperatives, the clinic providers, a grant for “Get Real” sexual education training at the MV Regional High School.
19 2019 - New bylaws and mission statement for FOFP provided for expanded sexual and reproductive health beyond clinic support and into the community. Monthly Tide - End Period Poverty Project begins, providing free menstrual supplies to the Island Food Pantry, Clinic, and other community centers. Continued funding the Get Real Program Sexual Education Program at the MV High School, though the program ended when the school administration paused pending a new health curriculum.
20 2020 – Increased rent subsidy to the Clinic, more than tripling support to reduce the rent the Clinic pays to FOFP, $500 per month. First Lip Sync Contest Fundraiser held on March 7th, just before COVID changed the world. Clinic turned to telehealth and limited in-person appointments to support patients. The Permanent Endowment Fund (now MV Community Foundation) awards a grant of $6000 to support the Monthly Tide – End Period Poverty Program which is also supported by Cronigs and Conroy’s Apothecary.
21 2021 – With a grant from MV Community Foundation, we purchased ultrasound equipment and covered training costs for Clinic Staff to support medical abortion via telemedicine. Clinic partners with Maine Family Planning to make medical abortion available to island patients. Successful online auction and other fundraising efforts helped cover costs for Clinic building upgrades and renovations. The Clinic provided COVID vaccinations.
22 2022 MV Community Foundation grant helps purchase LEEP Equipment. (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for cancer detection). A new partnership with Dignity Matters, a nonprofit in Framingham, provides free menstrual supplies for local Monthly Tide – End Period Poverty Program. Additional funds provided to support education for Clinic staff and travel to the Island. First Pig Roast Fundraiser in partnership with Mo’s Lunch and the PA Club, Community Forum provided at Rosewater Market, and tabling at Lady Fest provide local outreach.
23 2023 Board Members learn about the threat of Crisis Pregnancy Centers that threaten women’s health and are expanding locally and nationally. Clinic received $100k grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to make medical abortions more available. FOFP expands efforts to diversify Island support including sexual education in schools, individual and family support for vasectomies, abortions, and sexual health education, and LGBQTIA+ outreach.
24 FOFP sponsors Mass Audubon Felix Neck Nature Drag Show. Board applies for and engages with Harvard University’s Community Action Partners (CAP) Program to envision our future as the Clinic reduces its dependency on FOFP. Board Retreat leads to organizational changes including new name, expanded mission and vision and marketing plan. The Sam Feldman Grant from the MV Community Foundation supported this board development, strategic planning, and education. FOFP provided a grant for Doula Training for an individual to increase community access to this service. Building improvements, including mini splits and other efficiency work were completed and a property manager was hired. Our Monthly Tide program is continued to clients of the Health Imperatives Clinic, and extended to include the Island Health Care Clinic, The Wampanoag Tribe Clinic of Aquinnah, and the Boys and Girls Club Food Pantry.