I'm a person in recovery from an IV opiate, and Meth, addiction. My path to recovery was a unique one, as are all individual paths. I dream of a day when, people who use drugs, aren't shamed, and forgotten by society. Where, people with SUD's, and mental wellness issues, can reach out for help, without fear of judgement. I believe that time is coming, it's just not fast enough. Until that day comes, I will do my part to help keep people alive, any way possible, so that they have a chance to find their own version of recover!
Krissy is an active member in both the harm reduction and mental health communities. She strives to offer support, love and encouragement to anyone who is struggling. She also volunteers with animal rescue organizations and wants to create a program that utilizes therapy/service dogs with trauma survivors. She has several years experience finding resources for the indigent and those without insurance.
My name is Jon and I’ve been working with addicts and homeless for 6 years. I’ve ran a homeless shelter in Iowa for that time and have experience in housing homeless men and working through a variety of barriers that are preventing a person from achieving sobriety and housing. I believe there is always a way to getting the changes one wants to see in their life. I take pleasure in helping people achieve those goals we all deserve to have in life.
Christy McPherson is a Community Based Outreach Worker from North Louisiana. She serves her community through advocacy, compassion, and a commitment to help empower people who use drugs to take charge of their own health. Her approach, based on both her personal and professional experiences, allows her to encourage pragmatic change while understanding the necessity of personal autonomy and the empowerment generated when people decide the course of their lives for themselves.
Mandy Thomas works with Challenges Inc. Distributing Narcan and other harm reduction supplies. In recovery !! Also works part time at Carolina Wellness Center helping addicts anyway she can. She is also the VP of fentanyl Poisoning awareness and prevention raising awareness to the dangers of Fentanyl. Mandy manages the page We Are Harm Reduction, a nonprofit organization that helps people find treatment centers and funding for recovery. She runs the go fund me Rides to Recovery/ Rides to Rehab... funding people to get rides to a from centers, doctors appts etc. Ready and willing to help anyway possible !!
Karen Broman is a public health practitioner, epidemiologist, and medical laboratory scientist with a passion for engaging isolated communities and folks who experience health disparities borne out of structural inequities. She emphasizes evidence-based interventions that mitigate the individual and community impacts of substance use. Karen brings specific expertise in working with veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. Hailing from Minnesota, she was taught to nurture neighborhood health and camaraderie among those with differing opinions on how to effect positive community change. Prior to accepting the position of Overdose Prevention Coordinator for Northern Arizona, Karen served Sonoran Prevention Works for a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member through Arizona Serve of Prescott College. She is incredibly grateful to be doing this work in memory of her loved ones lost to substance use-related causes.
My name is Shianne and I am a recovering meth addict. I volunteer for NUA as an operator. I am a the COO of a non profit, recovery resource organization called Addicted We Stand and I am a certified Recovery Coach on the coast of Oregon where I work for a resource center for addiction and mental health recovery, mostly serving our unsheltered population.
I believe in all pathways to recovery. Harm reduction is my passion. I've lost more people to this drug epidemic then I've been able to keep, including my little sister and it motivates me to love people right where they are because everyone is somebodies someone.
My name is Talia and I am a harm reduction activist in rural Missouri who has lived experience with IV drug use, homelessness, and navigating the treatment industry as both a minor and an adult. I'm also a college student majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences, but I spend most of my time doing virtual harm reduction volunteer work and local outreach by myself. At my core, I believe that people who use drugs are valuable, capable, and powerful, and that we all deserve to take care of ourselves as best as we can. I look forward to finding more ways to manifest that belief throughout the rest of my life.
My name is Stephen Murray and I live in Western Massachusetts on a farm with my wife and 4 kids! I am in long term recovery from opioids. I work as a paramedic supervisor and I am the founder of First Responders for Harm Reduction. I am the administrator of the Massachusetts and Vermont lines for Never Use Alone. In my free time, I lobby government on harm reduction, mostly advocating for supervised consumption sites.
My name is Ryan Dalporto I have been working harm reduction for 20+ years. In the 20+ years I have volunteered, worked at and helped start many organizations I am currently the drug overdose prevention coordinator at the SF AIDS foundation. I beleive everyone deserves to safe and have resources available without stigma or judgement.
My name is Janna and I live in the Metro Boston region of Massachusetts with my husband and toddler. Im in recovery from Opioids and Cocaine. I spent over a decade in active addiction, experiencing all the awful it promises. I have past experience working as a recovery specialist at a detox facility. I meet people where there at and am all for harm reduction. Recovery looks different for everyone, do what works for you. Most of all I believe no addict should suffer alone in silence. I want to be a voice or just an ear to listen for those in the grips of addiction.
My name is Michaela and I am phone volunteer for NUA. I currently live in Western Mass and volunteer for both the MA and VT hotlines. I am an LGBT+ ally and I strongly believe in practicing kindness in every way possible. I love to help where I can, whether that is being a sympathetic listener or finding resources to aid in recovery!
My name is Tara and I am the Founding Director of Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego County. I have been impacted by and involved in harm reduction for 20 plus years and lean into my lived experience to meet people where they are. As a person who has experience in sex work, drug use, unsheltered living, incarceration, trauma, and overdose, I use my voice to advocate for and support others.I sit on the End Hep C San Diego Task Force, am an NVHR Patient advocate, participate in local and state advocacy, and spend much of my time as a student. I have an education in Behavioral Science and Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, and am currently working on BA in Social Work. I currently am in the process of approval for a syringe service program and strive to increase access to harm reduction services in Southern California. My goal is to provide safe, judgment and stigma-free space, with compassion and support.
My name is Helen, and I am passionate about creating a better world with you in it. I hope to help keep you safe and loved by providing nonjudgmental care the best way I can. Stay safe and call everytime you need to. I am here to listen or talk whichever you are more comfortable with until you are safe. <3
Founder of GoodWorks, Northern Alabama Harm Reduction.