As the Democratic Party leaders scramble to figure out the path forward, I ask myself, how will we care for each other, no matter what the future holds. One way is through the work of abortion funds. In the months following the overturn of Roe, as with any time our rights are stripped away, there was outrage and promise of action. People volunteered their homes for people seeking care and talk of abortion funds and their work was everywhere. As a long-time abortion fund volunteer, I found this hopeful. While we made strides to protect reproductive access in Massachusetts, abortion seekers, across the state and country, continue to struggle to find care and pay for that care. And while abortion fund workers collaborate and come together to cover these gaps in funding as well as they can, these funds are also struggling as other crises loom and attention and money go elsewhere.

If you travel this summer, to connect with family and explore with your kids, I hope you will consider donating some of your travel money to an abortion fund in the states you travel to. Funds in different states work together to ensure patients nationwide can access the care they need. Yes, who the Democratic candidate is matters. Yes, we need to fight for democracy and against fascism. Yes, many crises fight for our attention. But I hope we also think about what it looks like to care for our community, no matter what.

Nikki Fonsh

Northampton