KBFPC News
July-August 2017
Peer Educators Reach Local Students
As the summer brings a new wave of work for many in our community, the Homer Peer Education Team wraps up their busiest season. The Homer Peer Education Team—a small group of local high school students employed through the R.E.C. Room—provides evidenced-informed health and wellness education in local schools and community settings. The peer educators present a wide range of lessons, which include
- Adolescent Brain Development
- Resiliency-Informed Sexual Health and Wellness
- Stress and Time Management
- Marijuana Use and Abuse
- Suicide Prevention
- Tough Times (ACEs) and Resiliency
- Healthy Relationships
Over the 2016-2017 school year, the Homer Peer Education Team presented the lesson package that the team developed (completely in "teen speak") in seven schools—Homer High School, Homer Middle School, Homer Flex School, Port Graham, Seldovia, Nanwalek, and Anchor Point—and in the community of Ninilchik. Additionally, the peer educators hosted Adult Talks: Caring, Connecting, and Communicating with Teens, which allowed local parents and adults to engage with the peer educator's school-based lesson package and learn straight from professional teens what has changed in the reproductive field since adults were taught sexual health. In the past school year, the peer educators presented to over 700 students on the Southern Kenai Peninsula.
LGBTQ Teen Support Group
The R.E.C. Room hosts an LGBTQ teen support group each Thursday, 1:30-3:00 pm. All interested teens, ages 12-18, are welcome to attend. The support group is a private, confidential space that affirms and supports all sexes, gender identities, and sexual orientations. This group is facilitated by teens, for teens, with adult support staff on site. This group is hosted in collaboration with The Center. Please contact the R.E.C. Room at (907) 235-3436 for more information.
Photo Credit: Stephen Bottum
Community Shows up to Raise Awareness and Funds
Additionally, our sincere thanks go out to all of the community partners whose generous contributions made these events possible:
Alaska Training Room. The Alibi. Alice’s Champagne Palace. The Bagel Shop. The Better Sweater. Blooming Lotus Massage. Bridge Creek Birch Syrup. The Classic Cook. Coal Town Coffee. Cycle Logical. Glacier View Cabins. Grace Ridge Brewing. The Homer Bookstore. Homer’s Jeans. Jeff Szarzi Ceramics. Kachemak Shellfish Growers. Kate Kuhn’s Aquatic Center. Katie Ostrom. La Baleine Café. Lita Ecklund. Majestic View B&B. Mako’s Water Taxi. Mary Lou Kelsey. M’fanwy Dean. No Evidence of Disease. Northern Garden Design. Oodalolly. Paul Eneboe. Raven’s Repose B&B. RMC Metalworking. The Saltry Restaurant. Scenic Place Peonies. Sea Glo Spa & Boutique. Sustainable Wares. True North Kayak Adventures. Two Sister’s Bakery. Victoria's Place B&B.
Missed our fundraisers? It's not too late to contribute to KBFPC!
As part of a national campaign through the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, KBFPC asked community members how access to contraception and family planning services has impacted their lives.
Check out their responses and feel free to share your own on our Facebook page. Don't forget a hashtag! #thanksgriswold
KBFPC Welcomes New Board Members
Zoë Story - Zoë first became involved with KBFPC as a Peer Health Educator during her sophomore year at Homer High School. Zoë currently works as a massage therapist and yoga instructor through her business Blooming Lotus Massage and Yoga.
Robbi Mixon - Originally from Georgia, Robbi spent several years in San Francisco as an event organizer and operations manager before moving to Alaska in 2010. Robbi currently works as the Homer Farmer's Market Manager, Coordinator for the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, and the Local Foods Coordinator for Cook Inletkeeper.
Amy Woodruff - Amy grew up in Seattle, studied Public Policy at the University of Chicago, and moved to Homer after graduation. After serving in the Peace Corps in Ecuador from 2014 to 2016, Amy returned to Homer and has since served in various positions at South Peninsula Haven House, including advocate, forensic interviewer, and violence prevention specialist.
Welcome Zoë, Robbi, and Amy!
Contraceptive Corner: Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness methods are a form of birth control that help to prevent pregnancy by tracking a woman's menstrual cycle and avoiding intercourse on days when conception is most likely to occur.
How does it work?
There are several different fertility awareness-based methods:
- The Standard Days Method, using CycleBeads, allows a woman to track her cycles by moving a marker around a circular set of beads. CycleBeads can be used by most women who have regular menstrual cycles that are 26-32 days in length.
- The Calendar Rhythm Method works by tracking a woman's menstrual cycle on a calendar and predicting the fertile days.
- The TwoDay Method and the Billings Ovulation Method work by tracking changes in cervical fluid, which changes throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and can be used to predict fertility.
- The Basal Body Temperature Method works by tracking changes in a woman's basal body temperature, which can indicate ovulation and changes in fertility.
How effective is it?
Since there are many different fertility awareness methods, the efficacy varies. If used perfectly, some fertility awareness methods can be up to 96% effective. However, for most women, fertility awareness methods are about 76% effective.
What are potential side effects?
There are no health risks or side effects associated with fertility awareness methods.
How can I get started with fertility awareness?
Information about fertility awareness methods—and a full range of contraceptive options—is available at KBFPC on a sliding scale. Contact the clinic to schedule for your consultation today!
Bonus Tip:
Fertility awareness methods can be combined with another non-hormonal method—such as condoms, a diaphragm, or withdrawal—for additional protection.
Contact Information
Email: clinic@kbfpc.org
Website: kbfpc.org
Location: 3959 Ben Walter's Lane
Phone: 907-235-3436
Facebook: facebook.com/kbfpc
Twitter: @KBayFamPlan