Contributing to Planned Parenthood
Or How I learned to Hand Out Condoms

It was a Sunday morning and I had volunteered to help with the Planned Parenthood’s booth at the Channel 10 Health Fair. I was not enthusiastic. In addition to feeling like sleeping in, there was a road race that morning which made it difficult to even plan to get to the Convention Center. As I left, I said to my husband, “I hope they don’t ask me to hand out condoms.” You see, I am from an earlier, more private generation. Even though as a psychologist I am comfortable listening and discussing sexuality, handing out condoms has never been part of the job description.

As it turned out, the next few hours would be enlightening, entertaining and educational. First, I got lucky and the drive and parking downtown weren't bad. Soon after I arrived, PPRI COO, Liana C. appeared and together we set up the booth. Better still, I then met two of the peer educators, Eunice and Liliana.

When I looked around, though, there they were: a bowl of condoms in their bright blue and silver packages. So I had to try. My first technique was based what we call, “the sandwich cookie” approach. This method of giving feedback sandwiches negative feedback between two bits of more positive feedback. So I figured I could say, “Please help yourself to educational materials, condoms or candy.” That went pretty well for a while until a woman who appeared to be in her 70's walked by and said, “Well, I don’t need any of those. " So I showed her the candy and educational materials. When I told Liana, she quietly replied, “I find it helpful to say ‘But perhaps someone in your family does?’ " Hmm. Brilliant! Maybe I could give that a try.

Meanwhile, we were spending time with Eunice and Liliana and learning a lot from these energetic and outgoing young women. They were not only able to hand out condoms with ease but explained to the visitors in a detailed and friendly way all the various services available at Planned Parenthood--the clinic, the express clinic, the teen health services and the men’s group. I was in awe of their competence, poise and knowledge. And I admired their choice to spend their Sunday morning in the booth.

After a while, a man who also appeared to be in his 70's ambled up and looked around. He was pretty talkative and made the same remark about not needing condoms. This was my big chance! So I said, “No, but perhaps someone in your family might need them. " He looked a bit taken aback and puzzled and then walked away. I thought to myself, “Oh well, I tried.”

About twenty minutes later, he reappeared with a woman in tow. She was probably his daughter (but never assume) and he was proudly lecturing her on how her son may well need these condoms. She took some and they walked away, chatting. I looked at Liana and smiled.

So, the next time your are asked to contribute to Planned Parenthood, with money, time or even handing out condoms, please say yes. Whatever you give, you will get more back in return.

-Carol Landau