When: Sunday, January 21, 2024
Who is invited: Everyone
Where: Children’s Chapel

Join the UUCUC Reproductive Justice Team in the Children’s Chapel on Sunday, January 21 at 11:45am for a Lunch + Learn + Act event. All ages are welcome, and childcare for under-5s will be arranged if requested through the Breeze sign up.

During our shared meal, Julie Laut will guide a discussion about the crucial role Illinois and Urbana-Champaign have in the post-Dobbs abortion landscape and local organizing efforts. Illinois is surrounded by abortion restrictive states. The destruction of the Peoria Planned Parenthood last year and the two arson attacks on an independent clinic attempting to open in Danville have placed added pressure on our local clinics. As a result, the Planned Parenthood clinic in Champaign reported a more than 800% increase in the number of people traveling here from other states seeking abortions.

After lunching and learning, we will turn on the music and put together post-abortion care packages for patients seeking care at Equity Clinic (the private abortion clinic in Champaign) and Planned Parenthood of Illinois. Goal: 200 care packages! These packages are a great way we as a community can provide an extra layer of care for abortion patients. They include a variety of practical and comfort items, such as menstrual pads, heat packs, fuzzy socks, and a sweet treat. Packing can be done while seated and does not require lifting.

We need your donations to make the event happen! Please use this Amazon wishlist to see what items we hope to put in the packages: https://amzn.to/4a8PEWK. Amazon orders will ship directly to Julie Laut’s home. If you prefer not to use Amazon but would like to donate similar items, please contact Julie directly: jlaut@hushmail.com.