A conversation with lisa maldonado of the reproductive health access project

Lisa Maldonado of The Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP), knows the difference that good funders can make in the work of her organization. "At first", she says, "We were only doing contraception and abortion work." When their eyes were opened to the possibility of expanding their healthcare undertakings to include early pregnancy loss care. "It presented a challenge for us, which opened my mind as a leader" It is new and vital steps like RHAP's choice to include miscarriage care that are made possible by funders like us here at Pennywise, and that is why we do the work that we do. 

RHAP is one of our newer grantees, but falls nothing short of awe inspiring from a grantee standpoint. Speaking with Lisa opened our eyes to the importance of the work they're doing. When asked to tell the RHAP story in her words, she highlighted that the aim of the project is to mainstream reproductive healthcare, as just that, healthcare. "So people can access it from their regular healthcare provider, as it should be". We completely agree. 

RHAP does work all across the country, and the reproductive health access certainly varies from state to state, in a very dangerous way. The good news? "Many clinicians WANT to take these things on now" Maldonado says. There are so many new members, and RHAP is currently opening chapters in five new states. Maldonado jokes that she has "never talked to so many lawyers in my life". 

In other good news, RHAP seems to think pretty highly of the work we're doing here at PW. She noted how supportive and open Laura was in the beginning stages of the partnership. She also mentioned that the way Pennywise is able to make grants to RHAP while highlighting other important organizations and causes is something really special. 

And this is just the beginning for The Reproductive Health Access Project. As they slowly expand they hope to take on more issues of sexual health, gender affirming care, and fertility care as well. So thank you, Lisa, for your kind words, candor, and heart that shines brightly through all of the work that you do, we feel so lucky to be a part of this vital partnership. 

Learn more about RHAP at their website: https://www.reproductiveaccess.org/
Or donate straight through our PW grantee page: ​https://www.pennywisefoundation.org/reproductive-health-access-project.html