Working at Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition this summer has been transformative . I ’ m grateful to have worked in-person , which offered variation in my daily work . I got to know the different teams of staff at BHRC , including the Services Team that does outreach , the Education Team that holds trainings , the Mobilization Team that focuses on policy advocacy , especially for overdose prevention sites , and the Operations Team , whose work includes data entry .
A significant accomplishment for BHRC this summer was holding the BRIDGES Demonstration Overdose Prevention Site ( BDOPS ), which relaunched their advocacy campaign to legally authorize overdose prevention sites in Maryland . It culminated in a press conference with Mayor Scott and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr . Dzirasa , making it a monumental week . Staffing this event opened my eyes to policy advocacy in public health , and I ’ m so glad I was able to experience BDOPS , which BHRC has been planning for a long time . BDOPS taught me firsthand how social change begins at the grassroots level , and how creativity and cross-sector collaboration can make all the difference .
When I began CIIP , I had no idea that I ’ d be helping to relaunch an advocacy campaign for overdose prevention sites , let alone witnessing a press conference about it . This summer taught me what harm reduction and policy advocacy can look like , allowing me to translate ideas I ’ ve learned about in classes to real public health practice . Through outreach and coding each services survey , I ’ ve learned how much of a positive impact nonprofits like BHRC can have in the lives of people who use drugs and their families . On the other hand , I ’ ve also witnessed the critical role of nonprofits in filling gaps left by government policy failures , such as the criminalization of drug paraphernalia and uneven naloxone access throughout the state .
Thank you so much to Harriet , Rajani , Cam , Sefu , Dave , Aline , Lukah , Owen , Cola , and Rachel for making my summer working at BHRC so illuminating . I will carry your positive energy and drive in the pursuit of meaningful social change with me in my future work .
Staffed the BRIDGES Demonstration Overdose Prevention Site , helped to prepare for a press conference with Baltimore City officials
Implemented a services survey to evaluate BHRC ’ s outreach among participants . Created staffing plans for surveyors at seven service sites throughout the summer . Responsible for coding each survey and data analysis
Supported workshop planning and solicitation of local donations for the Celebration of Life event
Weekly tasks : Assisting with drop-by services , preparing orders for the NEXT naloxone mailing program , entering data for the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program , and making safer use supply kits for outreach
Created an informational pamphlet on naloxone expiration and storage temperatures
9
BALTIMORE BALTIMORE
CITY 29TH PUBLIC
HARM STREET SCHOOLS
REDUCTION COMMUNITY - ENGAGEMENT
COALITION CENTER Intern Intern : Estelle : Aiman : Frank Yeung Altaf Meng
Supervisor :: Nathalie Harriet : Monique Smith Werebe Simms What is the 29th Street Community What is BHRC Center ? ?
What is the BCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement ?
The 29th Street Community Center offers a variety of programs for kids , The Baltimore City Harm Public Reduction Schools Coalition Office of ( Family BHRC ) and is a Community community-based Engagement organization adults , and all ages . The mission of the 29th Street Community Center is to
implements that and mobilizes supports district community policies members , practices for , and the health opportunities , dignity that , andenable families safety and of people community build targeted and strengthen partners by the to neighborhoods war engage on drugs with schools and and anti people ; mobilizes sex-worker by bringing and policies aligns together public ; , we advocate private residents , and for of philanthropic harm north reduction central resources Baltimore as a part within through of a identified broader meaningful movement neighborhoods community for social and building school communities and high-quality ; helps coordinate enrichment responses programming to the for community all ages and around background
justice issues . and . concerns ; and provides ombudsman services for resolving concerns and complaints .
GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND POLICY
FAMILY WELLNESS