As a new member of the board of directors of the Advocates for Reproductive Education (WeARE), I have been pleased to find it to be a professionally managed and financially sound organization in just its third year of operation. WeARE provides an educational curriculum, answers to questions, and reproductive health services to anyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Despite the pandemic, virtual programming is helping to reach some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Stringent clinic protocols are in place to keep patients and staff safe as well. The past year saw an increase of 16% in the number of tests for sexually transmitted infections and a 100% increase in the overall number of patients — indicating a clear need for these services. Many of these patients do not have health insurance and may have gone untreated otherwise.
WeARE is working towards a healthier and more knowledgeable community, and I am grateful for their presence.
Anne Nelson Fisher
Brainerd
