Volunteers step up at Planned Parenthood

Due to construction and longtime protests at Chapel Hill’s Planned Parenthood, volunteers are guiding patients to and from the health center’s parking lot.

Alison Kiser, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood, said construction has been ongoing at the Chapel Hill location as the clinic expands to improve the patient experience and prepare for potential changes in the future — but it has reached a stage that limits parking and hides the main entrance.

This led Planned Parenthood to reach out to the Chapel Hill community for volunteers to act as health center greeters to help provide a positive experience for the patients.

There was a series of protests from Feb. 18 to March 29 — adding to the center’s need for greeters.

A national anti-abortion advocacy group called 40 Days for Life stood in front of Planned Parenthood to hold vigil and pray in an effort to end abortions.

According to a statement from the organization, participants prayed and fasted for 40 days in opposition to abortion.

According to the statement, the participants in the 40 Days for Life campaign signed a statement for peace saying that they would only pursue peaceful solutions when volunteering and would not obscure the walkways and streets.

Kiser said Planned Parenthood has a strict non-engagement policy concerning protestors for the clinic staff and volunteers.

“We’ve seen protestors there for years,” Kiser said. “They have a right to be on the sidewalk as long as they don’t interfere with the patients.”

Joanna Percher, a UNC graduate student in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, said when she heard about the need for greeters, she was eager to help a cause dear to her heart. Percher said she volunteered at the clinic, which is located on Dobbins Drive in Chapel Hill, on Saturday and that her job was to greet patients, make them feel safe and comfortable and show them where the entrance is.

“I care deeply about access to comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care services for men and women,” said Percher, who also volunteered at the Planned Parenthood in her hometown, Pittsburgh.

“I wanted to support (Planned Parenthood) and the women who access those services.”

Kiser said around a dozen people have volunteered to serve in the health center greeter role.

She said the future need for the volunteers will depend on the construction’s progress but will possibly last through the week of April 20.

“Thanks to an overwhelming community response, we have very limited need for greeters currently,” Kiser said. “Over the years, we have had a huge outpouring of support, especially in Chapel Hill. It is really gratifying to see it again.”

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