The Rosie Jiménez Project

The Rosie Jiménez Project, a project of the TARAL Education Fund, is the only state-wide abortion fund in Texas. It was started in 1979 after Congress passed the Hyde Amendment denying the use of funds for abortion to women on public assistance -- women who by the government's own definition cannot afford health care. It was named for the first known victim of the Hyde Amendment, a women who died from an illegal abortion inTexas. The Project is now expanding into a volunteer-operated hotline, providing an opportunity for local activists to help women in need and learn first-hand about access to abortion.

Volunteers will be asked to handle calls during business hours from the TARAL office by retrieving calls from Rosie's voice mailbox and then returning the calls. This requires around an hour for every day that you come into the office. You can come 1-2 times a week or a few times a month, depending on your schedule.

TARAL hosted a training series in June that took place in three 3-hour segments. Volunteers were trained on how to take calls and help women obtain funds and find clinics, transportation, etc. We also provided manuals to guide volunteers as they take calls. The training sessions were videotaped and anyone wishing to be trained can arrange to view these videos. The viewings can be done in your home, at the TARAL office or with a group at a library or other convenient location. Interested volunteers will then need to meet with the Project Coordinator to discuss procedures and changes made since the tapings.

In office volunteers are not required to watch all of the videos, and the training can be done in a few hours with the Project Coordinator. Since you will have the support of the Coordinator and TARAL staff, in office volunteers don't need as many hours of training.

This is an invaluable opportunity for pro-choice supporters to put their beliefs to work and to become actively involved in the issue. Direct service is always a rewarding experience. Volunteers will see first-hand the women at the heart of the Choice issue, and how our work affects real lives. We hope that many people become involved and learn how important Choice is to women and how we need to change the laws so that access to vital reproductive healthcare is in the hands of women themselves.

Not sure you want to be on the Hotline, but interested in the training? This training is open to any pro-choice activist who wants to know more about this issue. We also need volunteers to help us with fundraising events and to coordinate/participate in Clinic Appreciation Day. Please call or email Melissa DeHaan at the TARAL office if you are interested at (512) 462-1661 or email taral@io.com to reserve your space in the training or to find out about other volunteer opportunities.

updated 10/4/99