Womankind’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund assists Florida Keys residents with health needs 

 Thanks to Womankind and the generosity of local foundations and community members, Florida Keys residents impacted by Hurricane Irma have been able to get the support they need to help make health care and family planning more accessible during hurricane recovery.

Womankind, a Key West medical center that provides high-quality family planning and primary health care to people of all income levels, established the Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund, which covers the costs of family planning, gynecology, primary care, birth control, lab tests, and medications. The fund was initiated last September with a $3,000 donation from Marion Levine, followed by support from additional generous donors and local organizations as well as grants garnered by Womankind.

“Before I even knew if Womankind was still standing, Marianne had sent in a donation, concerned how strongly some residents would be impacted.” says Womankind’s Executive Director Cali Roberts. “We are fortunate to have many friends and foundations that feel the same, enabling us to provide care during these long months of recovery.”

So far, 275 patient’s treatments have been assisted by Womankind’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund.  Mid-January stats of these patients show that 32% were out of work, 40% were not working full time, 40% have damaged homes, 20% have lost some or all their belongings, and 22% had unplanned-for evacuation costs due to the storm that blasted across the Florida Keys on September 10, 2017.

“I lost everything besides one suitcase of clothes,” said one patient in late December.  “I’ve been slowly rebuilding my life while also helping my parents because my father got hurt right before the hurricane and hasn’t been working as much as before.”

Nearly 20 donors contributed to the fund, including Americare, Edward B and Joan T Knight Foundation, Justin and Eileen Kawaler, Larry Dion Foundation, Marion and Jules Levine, Ocean Reef Community Foundation, Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, The Sunlight Time Foundation, United Way of the Florida Keys, Jane Morrell, Jan Marie Weatherhead, Larraine McNamara-McGraw, Susan Fox, and Taylor Family Fund.

The fund also includes in-kind donations:  feminine health care product relief kits from the Rotary Club of Key West, Planned Parenthood, and Sandy Higgs; bras from ThirdLove Bras; and birth control, primary and chronic care conditions medication not typically offered at the center, and other necessary supplies from Americare.

“Sometimes we all need our mothers,” says Levine. “Womankind Inc. is like a mother to these fragile islands, so when a powerful hurricane hit and human lives were impacted, I knew I could count on Womankind to help everyone in need.”

 The HIR program will continue until all funds are exhausted. Those interested in the program can fill out a one-page application at Womankind.

 In addition to the HIR Fund, Womankind currently offers funding programs that support Florida Keys women and their partners via a Family Planning Program that serves patients ages 13-26 supported by Monroe County Health Department and Human Service Advisory Board, a Family Planning Program that serves patients ages 26 and up supported by Dogwood Foundation and the Sheriff Asset Forfeiture Fund, a Breast Health Program supported by Zonta Key West and Susan G. Komen, and a Colposcopy Assistance Program supported by Klause/Murphy Foundation. They also offer primary care for both women and men, and bioidentical treatments, accepting most insurances and offering a sliding scale fee system.

For more information, contact Womankind at 305.294.4004 or visit WomankindKeyWest.com. Womankind is located at 1511 Truman Avenue, across the street from Bayview Park, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

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