Learn all about Practical Support!
Overview of Practical Support
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Practical support is logistical assistance for people seeking abortion care.
Practical support is expansive and adaptive, meeting the immediate and sometimes unexpected needs of people having abortions. It can include travel, lodging, childcare, meal assistance, direct cash assistance, and more.
Communities have long established systems of support to care for one another, and today’s practical support models remind us that community-based care is often the best care we can offer one another.
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Because current social systems and infrastructure are failing us. The need for practical support to access basic healthcare and other services is the result of years of oppressive restrictions being put on abortion access, and the destruction of our social safety net. Stagnant wages, crumbling infrastructure, inefficient public transportation options, lack of universal basic healthcare, and so much more force people to struggle to make ends meet.
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As clinics close, people travel.
Despite what anti-abortion lawmakers and advocates may wish, closing clinics does not mean that people stop needing abortions. It just means that people need to travel further in order to get them.
When people travel, costs go up.
All of a sudden, instead of just paying for a procedure, people must pay for gas, food, maybe childcare. If they have to travel multiple days, they now have to find somewhere to sleep. They have to consider all of these while taking time off of work, possibly unpaid. Over half of American cannot afford any emergency that costs over $1000 - which is the current estimated cost for an abortions seeker who needs to travel for their care.
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Practical support organizations (PSOs) help meet the needs of their communities by making sure that people who need abortions, but cannot afford to pay for the travel and other accommodations, are able to access their care. Many groups do this by coordinating volunteers, providing cash assistance to help cover costs, or by booking hotels and flights for them.
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Currently, there are nearly 80 organizations across the country providing practical support of various complexities and types. You can find a list of who is in your area here.
There are also a growing number of clinics that provide practical support directly to their patients, as well as other groups that provide one-off or discrete cash assistance or other support.
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We use gender-neutral language because people need abortions regardless of their gender - phrases like “abortion seeker” or “people who need an abortion” can be helpful.
Practical support groups also tend to refer to the people they support as “clients” or “callers,” not “patients.” This is in large part because “patient” refers to a particular medical relationship that is not true for a practical support group. It is also because not all care happens within a clinic.
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Practical support is uniquely complex. In order to ensure that their clients obtain the abortion care they’re seeking, PSOs constantly juggle multiple types of complexities: if procedure funding is secured, if a companion is coming, if childcare is needed, if a flight is missed, if a ride falls through, and many more not listed here. It’s complicated, stressful, and requires a deep learning curve to do it well. We wanted to create a space that was built just for it.
What does the overturn of Roe mean for practical support?
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Abortion policy has been returned to state jurisdiction – meaning, each state can dictate when and how people can access abortions within that state.
For many people, Roe’s overturn means they will need to travel not only out of their home state, but possibly out of their region and sometimes across the country to obtain abortion care. This increases the total costs as well as the emotional and logistical burdens that people must navigate.
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An estimated 300,000 people a year will need to travel out of state to access care if abortion is overturned. It’s likely that number will go up over time as clinic capacity is limited.
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We are estimating one third of the travelers will need some amount of help to get to their care, or 100,000 people. It is also likely that number will increase as inflation and wealth disparity continue to rise.
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As of May 2022, the average cost for wrap-around support for someone traveling for care (hotel, flight, food, childcare) is $1,000 per person.
For 100,000 people that is $100 million.
That number does not include the costs to pay for the procedure itself, or for the staff and volunteers who help ensure those services are being offered.
That’s why it’s important to give locally.
Becoming a volunteer
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Not all of them, but most do!
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It varies across organizations but there are a couple primary ways that volunteers can help with practical support:
Providing rides to clients using their personal vehicles to help them get to and from clinics, airports, or other key locations.
Helping groups manage new client intakes by monitoring the hotline at set times and/or helping follow up with clients who call in.
Delivering groceries and other essential supply kits to clinics and/or clients directly
If the group is primarily or exclusively run by volunteers, there is often a core group of trusted, vetted members who help with other administrative and internal tasks. Check their website to see if they’re also looking for those types of volunteers.
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Find your local practical support group and see what they list on their website around volunteering - there is usually an online form to fill out or a particular email address to contact.
DO NOT call their hotline trying to volunteer. Hotlines are for clients, not volunteers.
Alternatively, we launched the Pollination Station, a practical support volunteer training program where we screen and train potential volunteers on behalf of the organizations in our Hivemind. Potential volunteers go through a series of three trainings and, when done, are connected to a local PSO to get to work.
You can apply here. All applicants will be notified of their application status prior to the start of a new training round.
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Yes! It doesn’t quite all fit here, though, so we made a page particularly about this.
In-kind donations
Ways to give that aren’t cash.
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That’s great! Many organizations use volunteer drivers to get folks around. Find your local practical support organization and contact them directly if they’re accepting volunteers.
We suggest you check out our Becoming a PS Volunteer page for some general information before you reach out. Also know that if it’s a peak time of crisis (news just broke, etc.) that they’re probably flooded and will put you on a waiting list.
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Many groups, for reasons around accessibility, client safety, proximity to clinics and other factors, have decided against using volunteer housing, so as appreciated as the offer is, it’s likely not going to be able to be accepted.
Check your local practical support organization’s website to see if they accept volunteer housing and if they do, reach out!
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This might be more helpful, depending on where it is and other accessibility concerns. Contact your local group to see if they can use it.
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This one is complicated. As helpful and appreciated as it would be, no one so far has figured out a way to protect client confidentiality with donated miles. The miles are still connected to the donor’s name which means they could gain access to the client’s name and flight information. We’re sure you wouldn’t, but the risk is too high!
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Vouchers are different than frequent flyer miles - sometimes. It depends on the airline. If you have vouchers you want to donate, we suggest you reach out to the airline directly and do some research about client safety and the best way to donate them without breaching confidentiality before offering them to your PSO of choice.
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There is a new organization build JUST FOR YOU. Visit Elevated Access for more information and how you can help.
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Many groups organize aftercare packages to send to clients for use after their abortions. These can include things like:
Menstrual pads
Heating pads
Wet wipes
Condoms
New underwear
Unscented candles
Small journals
Herbal tea
Talk to your local PSO to see what they do and what kinds of goodies they need help getting.
Have more questions?
Just ask!