By Staff Writer

A new Planned Parenthood center opening soon in Baldwin Park will provide transgender care services to a historically underserved community.

With days away from its official opening, the Planned Parenthood Baldwin Park Health Care Center has already provided reproductive and sexual health services to more than 100 patients, according to the organization. Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) say they expect to see 5,000 patients at the Baldwin Park health care center in its first year of operation.

Leaders say the Baldwin Park health care center is providing critical, needed services to a historically underserved community in greater Los Angeles region. It’s the community’s first and only abortion provider, as well as the region’s sole provider of transgender care services.

“The San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center is excited for the Grand Opening of the Baldwin Park PPPSGV Health Center because it will provide LGBTQ culturally competent care, including TransCare and access to PrEP and PEP (meds that can prevent HIV infection) to the Central San Gabriel Valley. The Health Center’s community space would also provide a safe space in a centralized location for our Peer Support Groups to meet,” said Aaron Saenz, Board President of the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center.

Additional services include the provision of birth control, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and treatments, cervical cancer screenings, and PEP/PrEP HIV-prevention medications. Appointments can be made online at pppsgv.org or by calling 626.798.7266.

“Opening a Planned Parenthood health center in Baldwin Park is a big moment for us because our research showed us that there was a need, and that was proven on the day we opened our doors,” said Sheri Bonner, President & CEO of PPPSGV. “We saw an influx of patients coming into our health center for sexual and reproductive health services. It’s been so rewarding to be able to provide these key health services to the Baldwin Park community and see the positive impact we’ve had and will continue to have.”

A community partner soft opening event was held on Jan. 22, the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade – the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring access to abortion a constitutional right.