Direct Relief today announced the four recipients of the 2025 Organon Community Health Awards, an initiative that supports community-based solutions to improve reproductive health outcomes in underserved areas across the United States.

Each awardee will receive $200,000 over two years to implement programs that expand contraceptive access and education, particularly in regions where healthcare access is limited or unavailable.

"These awards represent Direct Relief's commitment to strengthening local health systems through targeted support for community-driven solutions," said Paulina Ospina, Director of Programs at Direct Relief. "Each recipient demonstrates innovation in breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the contraceptive care they need, while empowering local healthcare providers with essential resources."

Nearly half (45%) of pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended, with the highest rates among low-income individuals, people of color, and young adults aged 15-24. The awards support clinics playing a crucial role in bridging the gap in access to care.

2025 Award Recipients

• Port Ministries Free Health Clinic - Chicago, Illinois: Port Ministries will expand access to reproductive health services to its patients by increasing clinic hours, integrating contraceptive counseling into primary care visits, and enhancing bilingual sexual health education.
• Wellness Pointe - Longview, Texas: Wellness Pointe will add staff focused on providing personalized contraceptive counseling across seven counties in East Texas. It will also support community health workers providing education and working to reduce obstacles to care faced by their patients.
• Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida - Immokalee, Florida: Funding will help the organization deliver culturally competent, multilingual contraceptive counseling through community health workers, mobile health units, and educational materials tailored to Hispanic and Haitian communities in Collier County.
• Newark Community Health Centers - Newark, New Jersey: Newark Community Health Centers will expand services with existing NCHC staff to provide equitable access to contraception, improve reproductive health education, and reduce disparities in reproductive healthcare for men and women aged 14-50 within the service area.

"Through our collaboration with Direct Relief, we are proud to support these community-specific initiatives, which help drive access and education in the reproductive health space for some of the most vulnerable in the United States," said Doral Fredericks, Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research at Organon. "Expanding education and care for women and girls of reproductive age is fundamental to providing the tools they need to take charge of their health."

A Model for Cross-Sector Collaboration

The Organon Community Health Awards reflect Direct Relief's approach to leveraging cross-industry partnerships for humanitarian impact. The collaboration between Organon, a global independent healthcare company focused on women's health, and Direct Relief, demonstrates how donated resources and expertise can be matched with urgent health needs.