Chattanooga, TN — A Step Ahead is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 Nightingale Grant from the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga to support the expansion of its Spanish Appointment Line. The $10,000 grant will be instrumental in ensuring equitable access to preventive contraception, especially as recent changes in healthcare policy have made contraception more difficult to obtain.

The expansion of the Spanish Appointment Line will enhance our ability to serve Chattanooga’s growing Latino/a community, providing seamless access to vital reproductive health resources. With this grant, we are doubling down on our commitment to breaking down barriers to contraception for everyone, regardless of language, insurance status, or income.

“We are incredibly honored to receive the Nightingale Grant,” said Mandy Cowley, Executive Director of A Step Ahead. “This funding enables us to better serve our Spanish-speaking clients with the care and efficiency they deserve, especially during a time when access to contraception is becoming increasingly challenging.”

The funds will be used to expand appointment line hours, train additional staff, and promote the service to the Latino/a community, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of preventive care.

For more information on how A Step Ahead plans to use the grant and the overall impact of this expansion, watch our informational video.