Programs
HOME OF THE CLINIC
Thanks to the generous support of the island community, we own the building at 517 State Road and are the Landlords for the Health Imperatives Clinic.
Our annual cost of owning this space is $30,834.00, half of our annual budget, and we are proud that our continued fundraising efforts allow us to keep the monthly rent at $850. plus electricity costs. This low amount assures and secures Health Imperatives’ important services to so many deserving islanders.Click here to learn more about Health Imperatives www.https://healthimperatives.org/
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that the land that our property stand on is the traditional territory of the Wampanoag. For over twelve thousand years the Wampanoag have stewarded and inhabited the island of Noepe.
ADVOCACY
Abortion Care. We have been longtime advocates for abortion care on the island, which has not been available on island since the mid eighties until 2024. This work is difficult due to stigma, a lack of understanding and compassion for women's issues among the general public and the leadership within our government.
Medical Abortion care is now available on the island at both the Health Imperatives Clinic and MV Hospital. The Hospital also now offers procedural abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation, and Health Imperatives offers this at their Wareham clinic with plans to bring the same to their Vineyard Haven clinic thanks to our tireless work.
REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL WELLNESS SURVEY
We have just finished creating a comprehensive Survey to learn what our island community knows, wants, and needs when it comes to their Reproductive and Sexual Health.
This Survey will improve our advocacy and focus our efforts to best support people's needs that are not being met. We plan to share the tabulated answers with you, the community's providers, clinics, health care organizations, schools, and together form programs and plans for support for what is needed and celebrate what is working well.We hope to have the results from this survey by the end of 2026. The survey is also available in Portuguese.
ABORTION ACCESS FUND
Funded for several years by Friends of Family Planning, continued by MV Swell and our Donors.
We completely understand the importance of people’s choice for abortion. We also understand the hardship that often comes with the cost of traveling off island, leaving work, and covering expenses. We work to raise awareness and funds for just these.
Financial assistance from this fund, up to $1,000, is available to any person to assist with the financial costs associated with obtaining an abortion, either medical or surgical.
Generally, these funds are distributed as a reimbursement for costs such as medical professional charges, co-pays for medication, and transportation to and from the appointment for the patient and a companion. A request for reimbursement must include receipts from providers, as well as travel, medications, and co-pay expenses.
If it is more helpful for the fund to directly pay the provider for the procedure, this can be arranged. This fund is supported by our board members and donors, but any repayments, on any schedule, from participants are welcome and appreciated so other people have the same support.
One can contact MV Sexual Wellness directly at mvswell@gmail.com or through the Health Imperatives clinic staff 508-693-1208.
If one is looking for clinics supporting either procedure, go to our resource pages on this site. Health Imperatives is also available for this support.
EDUCATION FUNDING
We are now funding community members and organizations who seek certification in sexual and reproductive health-related support systems that will benefit our island community.
Individual Funding Examples: Doula Training, RN and NP continuing ED certifications. We will fund up to $1,000. for costs related to these and other education opportunities that align with our mission.
Organisations/Institutions Funding: We are making a big push forHealth and Sexual Education curriculums in the schools. This year we funded the MVRHS SWEAR program https://sites.google.com/mvyps.org/swearmvrhs/home?authuser=0. Our funds helped make it possible for high school students, parents, and the community, including medical professionals, to be educated in the negative impact of pornagraphy on our youth by sponsoring Culture Reframed. You can learn more about culture reframed here https://culturereframed.org/
Make requests directly to Martha’s Vineyard Sexual Wellness at info@mvswell.org
MONTHLY TIDE PROGRAM
Since the summer of 2018, more than 350 boxes of high-quality, organic menstrual products have been donated every month by Martha’s Vineyard Sexual Wellness to the Island Food Pantry, and the Martha’s Vineyard Family Planning Clinic, operated by Health Imperatives, to give to their visitors.
In 2023 we increased our reach to those in need with supplies delivered monthly to the MV Boys & Girls Club food pantry, and the members of the Wampanoag Tribes of Aquinnah and Chappaquiddick.
Menstrual products are expensive and are not covered by government benefits. Terre Young, President of MV Swell explains the genesis of this program, “While interviewing a prospective board member, Kayte Morris who worked at the food pantry, I learned that neither WIC nor SNAP coupons could be used to purchase menstrual products. Kayte told us that the Food Pantry receives supplies from the Greater Boston Food Bank and those products are the least desirable for various reasons but that they fly off the shelves. What an honor it is to make such an important difference to women and their families in our community. I thank my board and every generous donor to this project and to our mission.”
Half of the population will have periods for up to forty years of their life. That is 450 menstrual cycles at a cost of thousands of dollars for the tampons and pads needed. Costs are even higher when medication, replacement underclothing, heating pads, and other necessary supplies are included. Time off and lost wages make menstruation even more costly. We can do more to stop period poverty. We estimate that it takes about $1,000 per month to supply these products to people in need.
Kayte Morris, Executive Director of the Island Food Pantry was ecstatic, “Menstrual products are some of the most sought-after and least-donated items at the pantry. This program has enabled us to meet our client’s needs beyond simple nutrition, and this partnership has really created a channel of support and solidarity for people in need on the Vineyard. It’s really wonderful to be a part of a community that cares so deeply and holistically about each other.”
The Monthly Tide Project was made possible through community donations and partnerships, originally with Conroy’s Apothecary and continuing with Cronigs Market who generously discounted products for this initiative.
VASECTOMY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Funded by Friends of Family Planning for several years, now MV Swell and Our Donors.
This program will reimburse any person up to $1,000 for costs associated with obtaining a vasectomy, whether on or off island. Costs may include medical procedure charges, co-pays for medication, transportation to and from the appointment, and costs associated with follow-up testing.
A request for reimbursement must include receipts from providers, as well as travel, medications, and co-pay expenses. If it is more helpful for the fund to directly pay the provider for the procedure, this can be arranged.
Repayments to this program from participants are welcome and appreciated so other people have the same support. One can contact MV Sexual Wellness directly by email; mvswell@gmail.com or through the Health Imperatives clinic staff 508-693-1208. If one is looking for clinics supporting either procedure, Go to our resource pages on this site. Health Imperatives is also available for this support.
COLLABORATING
We continue our many years of support to Health Imperatives and offer support to other programs and providers who are focused on sexual wellness and health; Queer Hub MV, Island Health Care, Vineyard Medical Center, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and the Wampanoag Tribes of Aquinnah and Chappaquiddick.