Abortion Equity Initiative
What Is Deep Canvassing?
Lift Louisiana’s trained field organizers and volunteers engage in deep canvassing by knocking on doors in local communities here in Louisiana, starting face-to-face conversations with our neighbors about important issues and pressing matters that affect us all. Deep canvassing is a values-based approach grounded in connection, empathy and understanding. Our goal through this initiative is to find common ground with community members, politics aside. We initiate open and honest dialogues about the state of abortion access and reproductive freedom in our state.
Through these dialogues, canvassers and community members build trust in each other by sharing their stories and asking tough questions. Deep canvassing initiatives like ours aim to reduce prejudice, shift perspectives, and help us come together despite differing views.
The Program
Our Approach
Deep Canvassing aims to reduce abortion stigma and shift opinions among those who may have uncertain views around abortion or have not been civically engaged previously. Lift Louisiana’s deep canvassing targets specific regions in the state with values-based messaging about abortion.
Deep canvassing is an evidence-based organizing approach for moving opinion, reducing stigma, and connecting residents to resources. It was pioneered in 2012 by the Los Angeles LGBT Center to understand voters opposed to same sex-marriage. While deep canvassing is a newer tactic, the data is showing promising impacts.
Lift Louisiana launched our deep canvassing program in October 2024 by knocking on doors in Slidell, Louisiana. These values-based conversations are aimed around two-way communication with open-ended questions and listening. They emphasize personal stories and experiences. Our goal is to build empathy, shift opinions, and make reproductive healthcare more accessible in Louisiana. In fall of 2025, we expanded our canvassing efforts to Jefferson Parish, and have also conducted deep canvassing conversations through phone banking.
Want to Join Us?
We offer both paid and volunteer positions. Your safety is a priority to us, so within the deep canvassing programs no canvassers will ever be alone! You’ll also receive robust training and an understanding of abortion viewpoints in Louisiana to prepare you for these meaningful conversations. We hope to see you there!
Check out our Events Page to find out about upcoming Volunteer Training opportunities.