2008 Woodie Awards
More funding would save center
Planned Parenthood impact goes beyond condoms, birth control
By: Mike Wayland
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: News
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It would take about $288,000 to save Mount Pleasant's Planned Parenthood from closing as scheduled by the end of the year, officials said.
Katherine Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, said the organization would need that much money - equal to a 30 percent increase in funding - to continue services at one of the five centers slated to close by Dec. 31.
Last year, the West and Northern Michigan Planned Parenthood division received $1.7 million in funding, compared to the $960,000 it is receiving now.
"Donors are appalled that this is happening," Humphrey said.
Because of state and federal funding being practically cut in half, Planned Parenthood also has had to eliminate 24 positions in the west and northern regions, cut back on hours and limit the number of substantial services, Humphrey said.
Last week, officials announced Planned Parenthood centers in Mount Pleasant, White Cloud, Hart, Muskegon and one of three in Grand Rapids will close by the year's end. The White Cloud and Hart facilities closed Oct. 1.
Changes in state and federal money distribution are the reason the West and Northern Michigan division of Planned Parenthood are shutting down, Humphrey said.
"The decision was made at the state level to distribute funding with a different formula than the past," Humphrey said.
Humphrey said this year the state of Michigan is allocating funding by county, based on the number of people.
This means more money will go to the southeastern part of the state, where there are more people per county.
The closings mean more than just a lack of condoms and birth control, officials said.
"We are upping and diversifying all sources of revenue and costs," Humphrey said. "We are very concerned with people not getting services they need and are still committed to trying to meet needs of members in the community."
Humphrey said donors have been concerned and have been contacting people and donating whatever they can.
Katherine Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, said the organization would need that much money - equal to a 30 percent increase in funding - to continue services at one of the five centers slated to close by Dec. 31.
Last year, the West and Northern Michigan Planned Parenthood division received $1.7 million in funding, compared to the $960,000 it is receiving now.
"Donors are appalled that this is happening," Humphrey said.
Because of state and federal funding being practically cut in half, Planned Parenthood also has had to eliminate 24 positions in the west and northern regions, cut back on hours and limit the number of substantial services, Humphrey said.
Last week, officials announced Planned Parenthood centers in Mount Pleasant, White Cloud, Hart, Muskegon and one of three in Grand Rapids will close by the year's end. The White Cloud and Hart facilities closed Oct. 1.
Changes in state and federal money distribution are the reason the West and Northern Michigan division of Planned Parenthood are shutting down, Humphrey said.
"The decision was made at the state level to distribute funding with a different formula than the past," Humphrey said.
Humphrey said this year the state of Michigan is allocating funding by county, based on the number of people.
This means more money will go to the southeastern part of the state, where there are more people per county.
The closings mean more than just a lack of condoms and birth control, officials said.
"We are upping and diversifying all sources of revenue and costs," Humphrey said. "We are very concerned with people not getting services they need and are still committed to trying to meet needs of members in the community."
Humphrey said donors have been concerned and have been contacting people and donating whatever they can.
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