Jennifer Trinh

Welcome to Getting Stuff Done: Election Edition. We met with some experts who told us all about how to get sh*t done. Because things are pretty crazy right now, and we have the power to make change.

Introduce yourself and give us a quick rundown of what you do:

Hi! I’m Jennifer Trinh, Vice President of Development at Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. I raise money from individuals and companies to support our CARE (Community Access for Reproductive Equity) program which provides cost-free care to people who can’t afford it. Say hi at jennifer.trinh@pposbc.org

What does Planned Parenthood do?

Planned Parenthood is a reproductive health care provider and educator of students, parents, and professionals. Over 90% of the medical care we provide is preventative—which includes contraception, well-person exams, vaccines, and STI testing and treatment. Thanks to charitable supporters to our CARE program, we were able to provide $2,560,642 in services to ensure that no one was turned away, regardless of their ability to pay.

Tell us how to get involved with Planned Parenthood and support their mission.

Go to plannedparenthood.org and share your zip code! Be an ambassador in your everyday life. Bring the topic into the conversation with friends and family the way you’d talk about a new restaurant you discovered, or in the same way you’d talk about your favorite sustainable clothing brand. You don’t need to know every fact about Planned Parenthood—simply share what you believe and why. When your friends and family hear you speak your support, it shows them how they can speak about it, too.

How did you turn your passion for helping people into your career?

I discovered Planned Parenthood by taking a friend to get contraception. Since then, I’ve been a patient, a phone bank volunteer, and ultimately landed my dream job bringing healthcare to hundreds of thousands of people who rely on Planned Parenthood. If you want to help people, reflect on what you are passionate about and what you gravitate towards, and apply your expertise to it. The nonprofit world is always looking for great talent, and with the internet, it is easier than ever to find a mission you care about.

Help us understand our ballots.

Find your local Planned Parenthood branch and download the General Election voter guide. From federal races to statewide races, and even local school district and city council races, this guide will help you to elect leaders at all levels of government who will fight to protect the right to make personal health care decisions.

What can we do to fight for reproductive rights?

First, ensure you, your friends, and your family are all registered to vote. Second, do the research and find a voter guide that reflects your values. Lastly, talk to others! This can look like a ballot party around the dining room table.

Some states have extreme reproductive restrictions. How can we help?

Visit pposbc.org/give, and sign up for a $5 monthly donation. These bans are not going to just go away, and we need all the help we can get. Donations fund care for local and out of state patients who turn to us for care. We never turn a patient away due to their immigration status or ability to pay. We’ve seen an influx of out of state patients. We’ve hired and trained additional staff to meet the substantial increase in out-of-state abortion patients while continuing to meet the needs of patients in California.

We believe that everyone, regardless of what state they live in, deserves to make their own personal health decisions and have access to high-quality, compassionate abortion care. Visit AbortionAid.com to find cost-free services and assistance with transportation and accommodations. Share it far and wide.

How are reproductive rights and climate change related?

Reproductive rights and climate change are deeply connected in the sense they both affect everyone, no matter your age, where you live, or your socioeconomic status. Frighteningly, when reproductive freedom and climate awareness are in jeopardy, it is the most marginalized and vulnerable people who bear the heaviest weight. These issues are both paramount to ensuring people are healthy, safe, and able to have a better quality of life. Get on board. Period.