There is a thin white arch with a deep purple sun at the top of it. Dark purple stars float around on a light purple background. In the center of the white arch outline is text that reads: "We are still here & we will continue to fight."

Our mission

Arkansas Abortion Support Network’s mission is to empower Arkansans in their right to bodily autonomy and reduce barriers to abortion access by providing funding and necessary resources.

“Reproductive justice

is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”

— Sister Song

Reproductive Justice (RJ) was first introduced as a concept by a collective of 12 Black women in 1994, later known as “Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice”. They launched this movement with the goal of centering and amplifying the voices of marginalized women.

While our organization is primarily focused on supporting abortion rights, we recognize the importance of ensuring safe & healthy conditions for families— and how those two things are interconnected.

To read more about RJ and its origins and impact, click here.

Abortion. All ways. Always.

~

Abortion. All ways. Always. ~

Where we started…

In 2013 a dedicated group of folks began volunteering as Clinic Escorts for AR’s last indie abortion clinic: Little Rock Family Planning (LRFP). In order to ease the financial burden of procedure costs and expand access for Arkansans, the Arkansas Clinic Escorts worked together in 2016 to establish Arkansas Abortion Support Network as a 501c3 nonprofit - AR’s first official Abortion Fund! AASN continued to operate as a 100% volunteer-run org that provided escort services, funding, outreach, and political protest organizing until June of 2022 when Dobbs v. Jackson overturned Roe, triggering AR’s abortion ban law and cutting off access as we knew it.

A picture of a painted rock, which was painted by an AASN volunteer. It reads: "Against abortion? Have a vasectomy!"

Where we’re at and where we’re going…

After months of strategizing, AASN's volunteers opened The Y.O.U. Center in the fall of 2022, as Arkansas's first abortion & pregnancy resource center. Y.O.U. operates out of the LRFP building on weekends, providing accurate information on abortion and parenting options, distributing free emergency contraception, and supporting clients traveling out-of-state for abortions. We are dedicated to evolving our services in line with Reproductive Justice & Bodily Autonomy principles, with a strong pro-abortion focus. Despite facing challenging legislative barriers in our state we remain dedicated to helping those in need throughout Arkansas.

A group of femme-presenting volunteers pose in front of a destroyed car. They're holding various tools of distruction, like sledgehammers and baseball bats. They all look badass as they pose for the picture.

We will never stop fighting for the complete de-stigmatization & decriminalization of abortion throughout all stages of pregnancy.

Our values

Southern Liberation & Community

We are committed to advocating for bodily autonomy for all Arkansans. We recognize that our cause is intertwined with numerous other important communities in Arkansas and throughout the South. We are dedicated to playing an active role in fostering and improving a future that is inclusive of all individuals.

Privacy

We believe privacy is crucial for safeguarding individual autonomy and dignity. We maintain stringent privacy protocols to ensure the utmost safety and security of our clients, staff, and volunteers. Enabling individuals to control information about themselves protects them from unjust intrusion, surveillance, or exploitation. Upholding privacy also serves as a safeguard against the misuse of power and preserves the fundamental right to make decisions without the fear of being judged or interfered with.

Accountability

We are open to receiving constructive feedback and value transparent and direct communication. We approach all communications with a focus on radical non-judgment.

Accessibility

We believe that ensuring accessibility to abortion and comprehensive reproductive care– for people of all abilities and backgrounds– benefits everyone. It is through genuine accessibility and transparency that we can truly achieve a progressive and liberated South.

Sustainability

We know that the fight we face is ongoing and we are committed to supporting our volunteers and staff. We value and prioritize their mental and physical health, so that we may collectively keep working towards our goal of remaining a sustainable and dependable resource for both the present and future.