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MORGANTOWN – WV Free, a Charleston-based nonprofit dedicated to reproductive health advocacy, is launching its first statewide tour this October.
The tour will stop in seven West Virginia cities from Oct. 14-Nov. 20 to provide health resources, educational tools and community connection, according to https://wvfree.org/.
Margaret Pomponio, WV Free Executive Director, said the goal of the tour is to connect with like-minded people who prioritize community improvement and women's rights.
She explained that current statewide policy makes outreach initiatives more important than ever before.
"It's a challenging atmosphere we have in West Virginia right now with maternity deserts and obviously an abortion ban," she said. "So, we really want to take this opportunity to let people know that support is out there and create a way for people to make change in their own communities."
Pomponio explained some of WV Free's current projects, including establishing "period pantries" around Charleston and the opening of the state's first reproductive resource center, The CICADA center, https://wvfree.org/cicada-center/. In addition, WV Free provides multiple options for pregnancy counseling, care navigation, infant supplies, birth control training, self-managed abortion and more.
"Knowledge is power. Educating folks about these issues is one of the biggest ways that we're meeting the moment we find ourselves in," she said.
Pomponio also stressed WV Free's emphasis on voter registration and education about the state legislature.
"It's important to know how our elected leaders vote. It's important that people get out to vote," she said. "I think there's some apathy at play in West Virginia, in regard to politics, a lot of people think their vote doesn't matter. But, a lot of these races come down to just a few votes, so we really want to talk about that, to try to root out the apathy, and make sure people know that they do have a voice, and their vote does matter."
WV Free will be holding an informal meeting at Black Bear Burritos at 3119 University Ave. in Morgantown from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The following day, Pomponio is looking forward to meeting with West Virginia University medical students for an educational workshop.
To support WV Free or to learn more about upcoming events, visit their website https://wvfree.org/ or their social media accounts https://www.facebook.com/WVFREE/.