A VISIBLE COMMITMENT TO CHOICE
Pro Choice South Bend is committed to community engagement and hands-on activism.
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Along with our local partners, we are active, vocal, visible organizers and participants in local events throughout the year. Take a look at some of our activities below.
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REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN ACTION
FEBRUARY 3, 2018
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Pro Choice South Bend partnered with All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPAIK) for a FREE Reproductive Justice IN Advocacy workshop.
This event was designed to define reproductive justice vs. reproductive rights and to help attendees be aware of their own internal biases. They also learned how to read a bill and learned how a bill moves through the Indiana Legislature to become law.
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PEOPLE'S INAGURATION II
JANUARY 20, 2018
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Last year on Inauguration Day, activists from throughout the community came together to support and encourage each other's efforts. From this event, the Michiana Social Justice Coalition was founded.
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We gathered again this year to share our progress with the community and one another. Groups set up tables with information and activities, and encouraged attendees to consider volunteering to make a difference, right here at home.
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In addition to Pro Choice South Bend, other participating groups were: Black Lives Matter South Bend; Civil Rights Heritage Center; Community Action for Education (CAFE) and the NAACP; Community Forum for Economic Justice; Ex-offender Information and Referral Services; Indivisible IN District 2; Islamic Society of Michiana; IUSB Black Student Union (BSU); IUSB Student Association of Civil Rights and Social Justice (SACRSJ); Jewish Federation; Jobs with Justice; La Casa de Amistad and Indiana Dreamers in Action; League of Women Voters; Northern Indiana Community Coalition on Health Care (NICCHC); Planned Parenthood Indiana and Kentucky Community Action Partners (PPINK CAP); Poor People’s Campaign; Sierra Club; Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ); Social Action Project (SOCACT); South Bend Friends (Quakers); The LGBTQ Center; and the Pasha Group LLC.
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RALLY FOR BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS!
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
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Pro Choice South Bend partnered with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPIAK) to hold a rally at the office of Rep. Jackie Walorski, the Republican Congresswoman for Indiana's Second District.
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The rally was held in response to the Trump Administration's decision to allow employers to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage in insurance plans if they claim religious grounds for doing so. This decision reverses coverage requirements put in place by the Obama administration.
PCSB ​in the Community
Reproductive Justice IN Action
February 3, 2018​
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People's Inauguration II
January 18, 2018​
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Rally for Birth Control Access!
November 9, 2017
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PCSB Board Meeting
October 17, 2017
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Downtown South Bend PRIDE Block Party
July 8, 2017
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Equality Rally for Unity and Pride
June 11, 2017
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#ProtestPenceSB
May 21, 2017
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Bowl-A-Thon for Abortion Access
April 25, 2017
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Retirement Plan 2: Benefit for Pro Choice South Bend
April 22, 2017
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IUSB Pride Prom
April 13, 2017
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Community Justice Fair and ACA Town Hall
April 9, 2017
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Reproductive Justice: The Crossroads of Movements
March 24, 2017
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St. Joseph County Human Rights Ordinance Campaign
February 14, 2017​
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Activism Workshop for Reproductive Justice
February 4, 2017
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Women's March on South Bend
January 21, 2017
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The People's Inauguration
January 20, 2017
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2016
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Rally for an Inclusive South Bend
November 12, 2016
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All Access Michiana: A Celebration of Reproductive Justice
September 10, 2016
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ANNUAL MEETING
OCTOBER 17, 2017
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Pro Choice South Bend presented its Annual Report to the public and unveiled a new membership model for individual support of our mission and vision.
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DOWNLOAD THE 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT
VIEW THE ANNUAL REPORT SLIDE PRESENTATION
BECOME A MEMBER
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PRIDE BLOCK PARTY
JULY 8, 2017
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Downtown South Bend's first-ever Pride Block Party featured a nonprofit fair, family friendly entertainment, music, food, and more.
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Later that evening, an afterparty was held at Woochi Japanese Fusion and Bar.
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The events were hosted by LGBTQ Center of South Bend along with Gold Sponsors: the Civil Rights Heritage Center, Mosaic Health & Healing Arts and Pro Choice South Bend; and
Silver sponsor: Zion United Church Of Christ South Bend.
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EQUALITY RALLY FOR UNITY
AND PRIDE
JUNE 11, 2017
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On June 11, rallies and marches were held throughout the country to show support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer (LGBTQ) people and our allies.
The LGBTQ Center of South Bend hosted a local rally, which was co-sponsored by Pro Choice South Bend, Civil Rights Heritage Center, and Mosaic Health & Healing Arts
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#ProtestPenceSB
MAY 21, 2017
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Pro Choice South Bend joined with other community members and groups to protest the decision by the University of Notre Dame to invite Vice President Mike Pence to deliver the commencement address.
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Several students walked out during the Vice President's speech to join the demonstrators outside.
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BOWL-A-THON FOR ABORTION ACCESS
APRIL 25, 2017
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Pro Choice South Bend and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPINK) staged a friendly rivalry at a local bowling alley to raise money for the National Network of Abortion Funds.
RETIREMENT PLAN 2: BENEFIT FOR PRO CHOICE SOUTH BEND
APRIL 22, 2017
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Speak Michiana hosted this event, which featured readings from a number of area poets, including Krista Cox, Alex Allen, Nicole Mason, Ashley Kay Petersen, Samantha Lewis and Lucas Burkett. The Lafayette band Outdoor Velour provided music, while local artists donated works for sale.
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IUSB PRIDE PROM
APRIL 13, 2017
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The Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) of Indiana University South Bend ​hosted this event, which was open to all IUSB students.
The prom was sponsored by Titan Productions, The LGBTQ Center, and Pro Choice South Bend.
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COMMUNITY ACTION FAIR AND ACA TOWN HALL
APRIL 9, 2017
This moderated Town Hall, organized by the Northern Indiana Community Coalition for Health Care and Community Wellness Partners, highlighted the lack of accessibility that Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) has shown her constituents, particularly with regard to the Affordable Care Act.
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The Community Action Fair featured: Indivisible Indiana District 2, Civil Rights Heritage Center, Islamic Society of Michiana, The NU Black Power Movement, Community Forum for Economic Justice, Pro Choice South Bend, Community Coalition on Immigration Reform, Northern Indiana Voting Rights and Redistricting Coalition, and La Casa de Amistad.
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REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE: THE CROSSROADS OF MOVEMENTS
MARCH 24, 2017
This panel discussion, held during Women's History Month, explored the term "Reproductive Justice" as defined by SisterSong:
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Reproductive Justice is the complete physical, mental, spiritual, political, economic, and social well-being of women and girls, and will be achieved when women and girls have the economic, social, and political power and resources to make healthy decisions about our bodies, sexuality, and reproduction for ourselves, our families, and our communities in all areas of our lives.
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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE CAMPAIGN
FEBRUARY 14, 2017​
In collaboration with the LGBTQ Center, Civil Rights Heritage Center, and other local groups, Pro Choice South Bend worked to support the passage of a county-wide Human Rights Ordinance.
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Prior to this vote, an ordinance existed in South Bend, but not in the county – meaning that those outside the city limits had to travel to Indianapolis to file discrimination complaints.
UPDATE: September 12, 2017: The St. Joseph County Council voted to refer all complaints to the existing Civil Rights Commission of the City of South Bend for resolution. This provides local support and includes LGBTQ persons (which the state does not).
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ACTIVISM WORKSHOP FOR
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
FEBRUARY 4, 2017
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This workshop was designed to provide basic information and guidance to those interested in reproductive justice advocacy.
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Topics included basic pregnancy, parenting, and adoption information; a review of the current Indiana Legislative session; a primer on how legislation is written; a personal values exercise; and making Valentines for Indiana representatives
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The workshop was conducted by Pro Choice South Bend, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky, and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center.
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WOMEN'S MARCH ON SOUTH BEND
JANUARY 21, 2017
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South Bend joined with over 600 regional marches in showing solidarity for the Women's March on Washington. Thousands came to downtown South Bend to hear speakers, create signs, and walk through the streets to support protection of women's rights, safety, health, and families.
Sponsoring groups were: YWCA of North Central Indiana; Pro Choice South Bend; SURJ (Showing up for Racial Justice) South Bend; the LGBTQ Center; IU South Bend Women's and Gender Studies Program; Notre Dame Gender Studies; Feminist Student Union at IU South Bend; Michiana Monologues of IU South Bend; the Department of Gender and Women's Studies at Saint Mary's College; and Stage for Change.
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THE PEOPLE'S INAUGURATION
JANUARY 20, 2017
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"The People’s Inauguration: Voices for Justice and Inclusion," was held at the Islamic Society of Michiana and included speakers and representatives from a number of community organizations.
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The event was co-sponsored by: Islamic Society of Michiana, La Casa de Amistad, First Unitarian Church of South Bend, The LGBTQ Center, Pro Choice South Bend, Social Action Project (SOCACT), SURJ South Bend.
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The Michiana Social Justice Coalition was developed following the success of this event.
2016
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RALLY FOR AN INCLUSIVE SOUTH BEND
NOVEMBER 12, 2016​
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Immediately following the election, many felt the need to gather to reaffirm a commitment to unity and diversity, both in our community and our country.
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There were statements from several local organizations, music, and strategizing for effective action in the coming months.
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Community organizations included: First Unitarian Church of South Bend, Islamic Society of Michiana, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) for South Bend, Center for a Sustainable Future, La Casa de Amistad, Stage for Change, North Central Indiana Afl-Cio, The LGBTQ Center, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky, Pro Choice South Bend, Civil Rights Heritage Center, IUSB Student Association for Civil Rights and Social Justice, and Nu Black Power Movement of South Bend.
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ALL ACCESS MICHIANA: A CELEBRATION OF REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2016​
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Our All Access event coincided with several other celebrations throughout the country and included a live stream of the national program, which included performances by Sia and Lesley Jones.
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The night featured speakers and performers, the "Abortion is a Social Good" art installation, additional pieces from area artists, a photobooth, great food, discussion, dancing, and more.
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Sponsoring organizations were Pro Choice South Bend, Civil Rights Heritage Center, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, Michiana Access, American Association of University Women, The LGBTQ Center, and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center. Note: photos by Leah Fick Photography
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