2025 New Jersey Harm Reduction Conference Hosted by CAI

Location: The Heldrich Hotel Lobby

 

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Speakers:

Eric Reyes, LMSW, Deputy Director of Mental Health and Trauma, CAI

Eric Reyes is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) and Deputy Director at CAI apart of the Trauma Informed Care Initiatives. His role is to support FQHCs, Harm-Reduction Centers, Health Homes and Community Based Organizations increase capacity to integrate trauma informed care into their culture, environment, and delivery of HIV care and support services. As a clinician, Eric worked in interdisciplinary teams to provide mental health screenings, assessments, evaluations, treatment planning and psychotherapy to individuals, groups and families out of School Based Health Centers as a part of a Federal Qualified Health Center – article 28 clinics. Throughout this work, he’s focused on professional development to adolescents and adults through training, webinars, technical assistance, and program management. Eric also serves as a LMSW Practitioner on the Board of the New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA).

Michelle Calvo, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Opioid Response and Policy

As Executive Director of the Office of Opioid Response and Policy, Michele Calvo leads the Department’s opioid/overdose prevention, surveillance, and policy initiatives, including overdose education/outreach and naloxone distribution, overdose fatality review teams, health system training and regulatory reforms, and harm reduction expansion activities. She is the Principal Investigator of New Jersey’s CDC Overdose Data to Action grant and is working collaboratively with stakeholders to expand harm reduction and integrated health services to prevent overdose and treat addiction effectively and compassionately with medications and other evidence-based interventions. Prior to her role at the NJ Department of Health, Michele worked on public health research and policy in New York, primarily focusing on overdose and drug policy. As a mom and a person with lived experience of addiction, Michele is passionate about working towards a future where people who use drugs and those who experience addiction have the resources they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Michele is a proud alumna of New Jersey public institutions, having received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of New Jersey and Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology and Urban Health Administration from the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Coffee and snacks available in foyer.

Location: Livingston Ballroom

This presentation will illustrate why harm reduction isn't just a public health strategy - it's a racial justice and mobilization issue.

Speakers:

Tracie Gardner, Executive Director, National Black Harm Reduction Network

Tracie M. Gardner, Executive Director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN), and former Senior Vice President of Policy Advocacy at the Legal Action Center, has worked for more than three decades in the public health, public policy, and not-for-profit fields. With a focus on substance use and the impact of the War on Drugs and incarceration on Black communities in the United States, Ms. Gardner is a nationally recognized expert on health and communities of color. In 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Ms. Gardner to the state’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which provides recommendations for how New York’s opioid settlement funds should be used in communities across the state.

Tracie received a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College. In 2022, Ms. Gardner’s alma mater recognized her career with the Mount Holyoke Alumnae Association Achievement Award.

Her proudest achievement is as a parent to her two sons, Caleb and Elijah Wright.

Bre Azanedo, Program Manager, Black Lives Matter Paterson

Bre Azanedo (she/her) is an Afro-Latina educator. Through her work, she strives to raise awareness and resources and educate people on safer sex practices, harm reduction, and HIV prevention methods. Bre serves as a Black Lives Matter Paterson Harm  Reduction program manager. In this role, she identifies barriers and develops programs and initiatives to help participants overcome those barriers. Ms. Azanedo believes that an important part of ending HIV is meeting people where they are, walking beside them, and helping them find and amplify their voices all done through building genuine relationships with people. Her work is focused on breaking down stigma, increasing awareness, and providing education on a larger scale & making already available services accessible to Black and Latino communities.  In 2022 Ms. Azanedo was appointed  by Gov. Phil Murphy to serve on the states Opiod Settlement Council . Bre also serves on the board of the National Black Harm Reduction Network. She’s a part of United We Rise ( UWR) ; is Vice Chair  for the Bergen Passaic HIV health services TGA planning council and has been a part of CDCs Stop HIV Together campaign since 2020.

Divad Sanders, Director, Newark Community Street Team- Overdose Response Team

Divad Sanders is a highly motivated and experienced professional in the field of Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, Complex Trauma, and Meaningful Community Engagement. With a career spanning over 30 years, Divad has dedicated his expertise and passion to making a significant impact in communities impacted by substance use challenges, trauma, and the need for improved quality of life.

As the Director of the NCST- Overdose Response Team, Divad leads a dedicated team, focused on preventing and responding to "Seeing People Live", within the City of Newark. In addition, through co-responses to overdoses with University Hospital, strategic outreach, care coordination, and community follow-up, the NCST- Overdose Response Team supports individuals in accessing appropriate treatment, resources, and services.

Divad's extensive experience in the field has helped change lives and with a proven track record, the NCST- Overdose Response Team continues developing and implementing effective strategies and interventions to address the unique needs of individuals facing intersecting issues. His undaunting drive for positive change, advocacy for evidence-based practices, and promotion of compassionate approaches that prioritize the well-being and recovery of individuals affected by substance use remain the motivating force behind going above and beyond barriers to success.

Rev. Dr. Leslie Harrison - NJHRC

Dr. Leslie Robin Harrison a woman of God who makes usage of the ministry platform to educate the community regarding diverse lifestyle choices (gender identity), mental health issues (addiction, suicide), substance use (harm reduction) and the intersection of healthcare and housing toward the wholeness of individuals.

Rev. Dr. Harrison is a hospice bereavement program coordinator by day and an advocate for those whose voice is not recognized. She is the Board Treasurer of NJ Harm Reduction Coalition and uses her voice to educate the community on harm reduction and the implications upon society when the needs of individuals are not met in a way that is comfortable and acceptable to the individual requesting assistance. Leslie enjoys using her gifts of song and oration to bring comfort during a time when people are in distress and need comforting.

Rev. Dr. Harrison received her undergraduate education while matriculating at Paine College (Augusta, Georgia – organic chemistry) and Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA Urban Ministry Leadership). She completed a Masters of Divinity at Palmer Theological Seminary (Wynnewood, PA) and her Doctor of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Eastern University (St. Davids, PA). Leslie is in the community touching lives and working to help individuals achieve their goals in life which may be “living a dream” rather than “starring in a nightmare.”

Location: Christopher's Restaurant at The Heldrich Hotel

 

Breakout Group A:

A Better Connection (ABC): Transforming Outreach, Engagement and Care for Individuals Adversely Impacted by Substance Use

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Forget the clipboards, cookie-cutter approaches and referrals — real change starts with radical connection. This highly interactive session explores how to disrupt traditional outreach models with innovative grassroot tactics, peer-driven strategies, and bold care coordination methods that focus on the needs, realities and lived experiences of those adversely impacted by substance use. Come ready to rethink, rebuild, and revolutionize your community engagement playbook.

Speakers:

Divad Sanders, Director, Newark Community Street Team- Overdose Response Team

Divad Sanders is a highly motivated and experienced professional in the field of Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, Complex Trauma, and Meaningful Community Engagement. With a career spanning over 30 years, Divad has dedicated his expertise and passion to making a significant impact in communities impacted by substance use challenges, trauma, and the need for improved quality of life.

As the Director of the NCST- Overdose Response Team, Divad leads a dedicated team, focused on preventing and responding to "Seeing People Live", within the City of Newark. In addition, through co-responses to overdoses with University Hospital, strategic outreach, care coordination, and community follow-up, the NCST- Overdose Response Team supports individuals in accessing appropriate treatment, resources, and services.

Divad's extensive experience in the field has helped change lives and with a proven track record, the NCST- Overdose Response Team continues developing and implementing effective strategies and interventions to address the unique needs of individuals facing intersecting issues. His undaunting drive for positive change, advocacy for evidence-based practices, and promotion of compassionate approaches that prioritize the well-being and recovery of individuals affected by substance use remain the motivating force behind going above and beyond barriers to success.

Evelyn Tarr, LMSW, Case Manager, Newark Community Street Team- Overdose Response Team

Evelyn Tarr is a passionate advocate and trusted case manager with the NCST Overdose Response Team in Newark, NJ. With a deep commitment to care coordination and service excellence, Evelyn helps individuals impacted by substance use find hope, access critical support, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Evelyn blends a global perspective with hands-on expertise, empowering communities through compassionate engagement and effective resource navigation. She holds a B.S. from SUNY Oswego and earned her Master of Social Work from Howard University, specializing in clinical services and community outreach.

A lifelong community builder, Evelyn extends her passion for service beyond her professional role. She actively engages in advocacy, evangelism, and cultural enrichment, finding joy in sharing her native Liberian cuisine, exploring nature through hiking, and inspiring others to live fully.

Every step of her journey reflects her unwavering belief:

Donald “DJ” Jackson, Community Engagement Specialist, Newark Community Street Team – Overdose Response Team

Donald "DJ" Jackson is a dedicated community engagement specialist and public advocate from Newark, NJ, with a strong focus on outreach and care coordination for people who use drugs.

A native of the city and a respected district leader, DJ has built his career around improving the quality of life for individuals, youth, and families facing complex challenges.

As Lead Outreach and Engagement Specialist with Newark Community Street Team's Overdose Response Team, he collaborates closely with University Hospital, community stakeholders, and partners to reduce overdose fatalities and mitigate the long-term impacts of substance use.

Through his leadership, DJ has been instrumental in advancing trauma-informed care practices and strengthening support systems for those most affected by addiction and systemic inequities.

 

Breakout Group B:

Emerging Drug Trends in Community Drug Checking

Location: Neilson Room

Community drug checking services are an increasingly essential component of public health strategies aimed at addressing the evolving and often unpredictable nature of the unregulated drug supply. These programs provide critical, real-time data on local and statewide drug trends, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the substances circulating in communities. By identifying contaminants, emerging adulterants such as synthetic opioids and xylazine, and other unexpected compounds, drug checking initiatives offer a proactive approach to harm reduction that prioritizes both individual and community safety.

In addition to supporting people who use drugs with accurate, non-judgmental information to make more informed decisions, drug checking services equip healthcare providers, public health professionals, and frontline outreach workers with the evidence needed to develop more effective systems of care. This includes informing clinical responses, guiding the creation of trauma-informed protocols, and enhancing the design of educational materials and programs that are responsive to the lived experiences of people who use drugs. Community drug checking not only contributes to overdose prevention efforts, but also fosters a collaborative, data-driven environment for innovation in healthcare delivery, programming, and public health policy.

Speakers:

JC Caraballo, Co-Founder, KIND Collective

Born and raised in the 609, Jose R. Caraballo Jr. (JC) is a harm reductionist, community organizer, and co-founder of The KIND Collective (TKC)—a mobile harm reduction program rooted in love, dignity, and mutual support for people who use drugs. Through TKC, JC has built a deeply trusted presence in Trenton and beyond, offering low-barrier services, community-based care, and connection to essential resources.

JC’s work centers on the power of education, outreach, and radical compassion to shift narratives and systems that have historically punished and marginalized people who use drugs. He is the lead architect of a community drug checking initiative that not only provides lab-based analysis of substances but also fosters education and dialogue among providers, public health professionals, and community members alike.

From creating safer access points to advocating for system-wide change, JC is committed to breaking the rules that no longer serve our communities—and building new ones that reflect care, equity, and respect. His work challenges institutional norms while making space for people to be seen, heard, and supported—without judgment and without exception

Christopher Moraff, PA Groundhogs

Christopher Moraff is a journalist, ethnographer, and drug checking pioneer with nearly two decades of experience covering policing, drug policy, and harm reduction. Known for immersive reporting from Kensington, Philadelphia, he co-hosts the podcast Narcotica and founded Narcomedia LLC to challenge misinformation about drugs. Moraff leads PAGROUNDHOGS, a statewide lab-based drug checking initiative focused on transparency and trend analysis in the drug supply. His work explores topics like supervised consumption sites, involuntary treatment laws, and emerging adulterants such as xylazine. Committed to community-grounded journalism, Moraff offers a critical lens on drug policy and public health.

 

Breakout Group C:

What is Harm Reduction and How Did it Start in New Jersey?

Location: Kelly Room

This presentation will include the history of harm reduction in New Jersey presented by two of the original five pilot programs in New Jersey. They will discuss the basics of harm reduction, what harm reduction looks like in New Jersey now compared to the beginning, and touch on what harm reduction looks like throughout the United States.

Speakers:

Georgett Shelton, President & CEO, South Jersey AIDS Alliance

Georgett Shelton is the President and Chief Executive Officer at South Jersey AIDS Alliance.  Georgett has served in a myriad of roles over the course of 30+ years with the organization, from program development and evaluation, to fundraising and administration. Georgett is currently responsible for the oversight, development, implementation and supervision of 20 care, prevention and harm reduction programs in the 3 southernmost counties in New Jersey. She is extremely proud to have developed and implemented 2 NJ firsts, including the first legal Syringe Access Program in New Jersey (2007) and the first community-based Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Distribution Program in New Jersey (2013). Both programs are located in Atlantic City. In 2020, SJAA collaborated with VNA of Asbury Park to provide a location for a pilot low threshold buprenorphine program (LTPB) at the Atlantic City harm reduction center.  VNA created a very successful program that led to the expansion of this program to the original 7 harm reduction centers.  SJAA started their own LTBP in October 2024 and has expanded harm reduction services to Cumberland and Cape May counties.  SJAA is currently working with stakeholders to expand mobile harm reduction Salem County. Georgett uses she/her pronouns.

Alicia Parker, Director of Harm Reduction, Hyacinth Foundation

Alicia Parker has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS, addiction and harm reduction services for over 24 years, working with various populations throughout the state of New Jersey.  Alicia started her career as a Substance Abuse Counselor at a Methadone Clinic in Newark and then advanced to AIDS Coordinator and Counselor Supervisor.  She also volunteered at East Jersey State Prison conducting HIV/AIDS Educational groups for many years. Ms. Parker is currently the Director of Harm Reduction for Hyacinth Foundation. Alicia has been employed with Hyacinth Foundation for the past 22 years.  Over the years, Alicia’s positions included CTR (Counseling and Testing) Manager, Corrections Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Harm Reduction Manager and Client Services Manager.  Alicia started working in Jersey City in 2009 when the Syringe Access Program opened and assisted with expanding Hyacinth’s Harm Reduction Centers to Paterson and Trenton in 2018-2019.  Hyacinth has since expanded to Plainfield, Union City, Passaic and Mercer County. Alicia uses she/her pronouns.

Hotel check-in. Coffee and snacks will be available in the foyer.

 

Breakout Group A:

From Barriers to Beacon - Housing and Shelter for People Who Use Drugs

Location: Livingston Ballroom

From Barriers to Beacon offers an in-depth look at the journey of Prevention Point Philadelphia’s shelter and supportive service models—from grassroots beginnings to the operation of some of the city’s most accessible shelter spaces. The session will review key historical milestones and unpack the core principles behind low-barrier sheltering. The training will close with a collaborative think tank, giving participants space to surface challenges, share ideas, and reflect on how to sustain harm reduction work in an increasingly complex political climate.

Speakers:

Dale Tippet, Director of Homeless Services, Beacon House, Prevention Point Philadelphia

Dale Tippet is the Director of Homeless Services at Prevention Point Philadelphia. He oversees shelter operations across multiple locations, including Beacon House—which he affectionately calls “the lowest-barrier shelter in the country.” Dale served as coordinator when Beacon opened at 60 beds and later led efforts to increase its capacity in collaboration with Project HOME. He was a key player in the development and launch of PPP’s newest program—a 90-bed low-barrier shelter at Philly Home. Dale began at PPP as a part-time support staffer in 2017 and has grown into a leadership role rooted in harm reduction, advocacy, and hands-on problem solving. His work is shaped by his faith and a deep belief in the dignity of all people.

Naomi Wildflower, Housing Coordinator, Beacon House, Prevention Point Philadelphia

Naomi Wildflower is the Housing Coordinator for Prevention Point Philadelphia. She has supervised case management services at Beacon House, PPP's low-barrier, harm reduction-focused emergency shelter since 2019. Naomi’s work with communities facing homelessness and drug use began in Toronto in the mid-2000s. Naomi has called Philadelphia home since 2012. Naomi loves riding her bicycle, going to concerts and enjoying neighborhood life with her husband and two small children.

 

Breakout Group B:

From Points to Pipes: Ethical Supply Sourcing in Harm Reduction

Location: Neilson Room

Where do harm reduction supplies come from—and how can we get them responsibly? This session dives into the logistics and ethics of sourcing harm reduction materials in a way that’s cost-effective, community-minded, and aligned with movement values. Participants will explore trusted wholesalers that reinvest in the communities they serve, learn strategies for finding hard-to-source items, and connect with vendors who truly understand the work. Whether you’re struggling to locate a specific item or just looking to align your purchasing with your principles, this session will provide practical tools and insight for procurement through a harm reduction lens.

Speaker:

Jim Duffy, Director, Smoke Works

Jim Duffy is the founder and director of Smoke Works, a national program expanding traditional harm reduction services to include safer smoking. Lived experience brought Jim to frontline harm reduction service, with a focus on HIV prevention and stimulant use. Smoke Works advances access to pipes, serving 400 programs in the U.S., recirculating funds spend on harm reduction to benefit independent outreach groups. Leading the charge for the inclusion of pipes in harm reduction, Duffy has secured millions of pipes for distribution, each of which create new connections, replace injections, and help people manage drug use more effectively.

Breakout Group C:

Responding with Care: Community-Driven Wound Care and Support

Location: Kelly Room

Supporting people who used drugs in accessing wound care support and supplies is an essential service for both mobile and fixed-site harm reduction services. Responding to needs and asks of folks on the ground and centering the autonomy and knowledge of people who use drugs must be prioritized in providing supportive wound care services. Join Philadelphia-based The Everywhere Project and New Jersey nurses to learn more about wound care provision that is responsive to the current drug supply, methods for prevention of wounds and care for existing wounds, strategies for supporting people in caring for their own wounds, and ways to implement wound care services within your program.

Speakers:

Jen Shinefeld, MS, Executive Director and Co-Founder, The Everywhere Project

Jen Shinefeld, MS (she/her) was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Everywhere Project, a Philadelphia-based Harm Reduction non-profit organization. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and Master’s Degree in Epidemiology and Biostatics, from Temple University. She is a seasoned Public Health professional and Harm Reductionist, who works with organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. Jen worked in HIV research for 10 years, working with individuals at high risk for contracting HIV. For the last four years, she has dedicated herself to working with people who use drugs and other vulnerable populations. Jen implemented Philadelphia’s city-wide drug checking program, a drug user health user health survey, and a number of other research projects to better help the health and wellness of the most vulnerable communities in Philadelphia. She is currently collaborating on a statewide drug checking program, PA Groundhogs. She conducts behavioral and ethnographic research among PWUD in the tri-state area. All of Jen’s work is rooted in the fundamental belief that all persons deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, respect, and kindness.

Nytasha McCaskill, RN, BSN, Harm Reduction Health Nurse, Hyacinth Foundation

Nytasha McCaskill is a licensed registered nurse with over 20 years of experience and currently serves as the Harm Reduction Health Nurse at Hyacinth in Trenton, NJ. In her role, she provides HIV, Hepatitis C, pregnancy, and STI testing and treatment, along with sexual and reproductive health education, wound care, nutritional counseling, and referrals to additional services when needed. She also delivers Narcan training, conducts IV drug use assessments, and supports individuals at risk of overdose—all with a compassionate, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.

Nytasha earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Wesley College in 2004 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Wilmington University in 2021. She has participated in numerous medical missions since her early nursing days and remains deeply committed to serving vulnerable communities. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending time with her family, often using dance as a fun way to stay active and healthy.

Jessica Tkacs, BSN, MS, Harm Reduction Health Nurse, Camden AHEC

Jessica Tkacs, BSN, MS is a harm reduction health nurse at Camden AHEC. She has a background in both public health and public education, and has a special love for wound care. 

 

 

 

Hotel check-in. Coffee and snacks will be available in the foyer.

 

Location: Livingston Ballroom I and II

Art of Survival is a short documentary that captures the energy and spirit of the Kensington Storefront, an open arts studio that for three years offered a cup of coffee, a snack, and a chance to make art—in the heart of the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Art of Survival brings viewers into the unique community that flourished at the Storefront and provides a hopeful contrast to the bleak media portrayals of Kensington and its many challenges.

Following the screening there will be a panel discussion with Kensington Storefront artists and organizers and filmmakers.

Speakers:

Tony Heriza, Producer, Art of Survival

Tony Heriza has been producing media to explore human interaction and support efforts for social change since the 1970s. His most recent film “Facing the Wind” about dementia and family caregiving premiered at the DOC NYC film festival in 2024.

 

James Wasserman, Producer and Cinematographer, Art of Survival

James Wasserman is a photographer and cinematographer who works on photojournalistic and documentary projects in many parts of the world. His primary interest is in environmental portraiture and documentary storytelling.

 

Valerie Keller, Editor, Art of Survival

Valerie Keller is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated editor with a love of storytelling. From the dance film Fever to the festival audience favorite Brincando el Charco, her editing work has helped documentaries win awards and screen in festivals around the world.

 

Lisa Kelley, Trauma-Certified Artist/Advocate

Lisa Kelley (she/her/hers) is a trauma-certified artist/advocate who is committed to building community through art-making. She earned her BFA from Moore College of Art and Design, with a major in graphic design. One of Lisa’s posters about harm reduction is in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Lisa was born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, where she currently makes art in community with people who use drugs and who are experiencing homelessness at Prevention Point Philadelphia. She and her colleague, Kathryn Pannepacker, started a 10-week pilot workshop (Tuesday Tea & Textiles) at the Kensington Storefront in 2017, which continued until the Storefront was closed in 2020, due to Covid and political push-back. The Storefront was situated at Kensington Avenue and Somerset; a corner known for decades as an open-air drug market.

The connections and relationships Lisa has made over the past 8 years often inform her personal artwork. She is currently working on a series of mixed media pieces that highlight the cruel things people say on social media about illicit drugs and the people who use them.

Lisa’s work consists of large painted murals, weavings, printmaking, installations and textile pieces. She enjoys working collaboratively with various groups, such as schools, people experiencing homelessness, community members, families and other artists. Lisa lives in Elkins Park with her husband and daughter.

Kathryn Pannepacker, Textile/Visual and Trauma-Trained Community Artist

Kathryn Pannepacker is a textile/visual and trauma-trained community artist living in Philadelphia, PA. Kathryn has done many projects with Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) and other organizations over the years with folks of all ages and backgrounds. Via MAP’s Porch Light Initiative (at the now closed beloved Somerset location of The Kensington Storefront in Philadelphia), Kathryn and colleague, Lisa Kelley, co-created an art and craft-making workshop called Tuesday Tea & Textiles. This ‘sanctuary studio’ was a creative place for all in the community. Working with folks who use drugs, many of whom are unsheltered, they believe that creating an environment of belonging, welcome and connection is a critical piece in any support model. And what about addressing issues of loneliness and boredom? What began as a 10-week pilot developed into a vital approach to making art with all in the community. Kathryn and Lisa continue to provide art-as-harm reduction & art-as-wellness support work via Prevention Point Philadelphia at The Love Lot and Philly Home. She also does an art workshop at Sunshine House in Kensington. Kathryn has received numerous grants including The Leeway Foundation’s Transformation Award. Her work has been featured on the cover of AMERICAN CRAFT and in many other publications. She offers hands-on workshops and presentations about art and social change.

Michael Worthy, Harm Reductionist, Community Organizer, and Certified Recovery Specialist

Michael Worthy is a harm reductionist, community organizer, and Certified Recovery Specialist who has worked for nearly two decades helping others navigate their own unique paths to recovery. Today, Michael works closely with harm reductionists in Philadelphia's Kensington area, supporting individuals affected by substance use, mental health challenges, and homelessness. He has also partnered with several non-profit organizations, supporting community organizing and engagement and fostering meaningful connections with program participants. Through his unwavering dedication, Michael has achieved notable milestones, including membership in the International Honor Society, selection as an Ambassador for Peace, and receipt of his State Certification as a Recovery Specialist and Life Coach. Michael’s philosophy remains simple yet profound: Conceive it, Believe it, Achieve it.

Roz Pichardo, Grassroots Leader

Rosalind (Roz) Pichardo is a nationally recognized leader, known for her grassroots work in building healthier and safer communities. For the past ten years, she’s been working with families of homicide victims to provide grief counseling and advocacy. She’s also saved countless lives by providing crisis support to victims of drug overdoses, gunshot wounds, and other violent crimes that are all too common in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Roz is a native of Kensington where she developed her methods of street outreach while healing herself from the trauma of losing loved ones to homicide and substance use. She has been the subject of numerous documentaries including Tipping the Pain Scales and Hello Sunshine. In 2023, Roz was invited to train Dr. Rahul Gupta (Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy) and Xavier Becerra (Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services) in methods of administering Narcan. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Save Our City, which serves people who need trauma or substance use recovery services.

Location: Livingston Ballroom III and IV

Join us for a relaxed and engaging evening at the New Jersey Harm Reduction Conference! This networking event offers a valuable opportunity to connect, share insights, and build meaningful relationships with fellow harm reductionists, advocates, and community members. Come enjoy good conversation, light refreshments, and celebrations of successes with the New Jersey Harm Reduction Community!

Location:

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Morning Plenary - Breaking the Culture of Cruelty: Reimagining Treatment Through Collective Expertise

This session takes on the “culture of cruelty” in addiction treatment and highlights how people with lived experience are leading change. Learn how drug user unions are challenging stigma, reshaping services, and pushing for a care-based system grounded in dignity, justice, and collective power.

Speakers:

Louise Vincent, Executive Director, NC Survivors Union

Louise Vincent is the Executive Director of the NC Survivors Union, and a human rights activist and educator whose work in drug user health and social justice has driven the expansion and acceptance of harm reduction. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and was the inaugural recipient of the Any Positive Change Award, established in honor of Dan Bigg at the 2018 National Harm Reduction Coalition Conference. Louise’s passion and leadership have created opportunities for systems change and movement-building at the local, national, and international levels.

 

Robert Suarez, National Coordinator, National Survivors Union

Robert Suarez is the National Coordinator for the National Survivors Union and serves as an Anti-Racism Consultant with NC Survivors Union. He is an experienced facilitator and movement leader. During the West Virginia action, he led both the candlelight vigil and the die-in with powerful, resonant vocal direction, bringing urgency and connection to the moment.

 

Don Jackson, Site & Services Director, NC Survivors Union

Don Jackson is the Site & Services Director at NC Survivors Union and holds a degree in Graphic Design. He leads the organization’s onsite drug checking and testing program, ensuring safer supply access for the community. Don also manages daily operations at the exchange — coordinating volunteers, supervising the health team, and delivering direct services. A drug user, human rights advocate, and artist, Don brings deep wisdom and creativity to his work. His leadership is central to the identity and day-to-day life of this community-led organization.

 

Ryann Koval, Director of Operations, NC Survivors Union

Ryann Koval is the Director of Operations at NC Survivors Union. She joined NCSU in 2021 as a volunteer at the Health Hub and has since played a key role in multiple initiatives, including Direct Services, the Buprenorphine Program, Grants, Reporting, Narco Feminism, the National and NC Survivors Unions, and the Liberate Methadone Coalition. Ryann holds a BA in Art Education (K-12) and an MS in Counseling and Art Therapy. She is a licensed counselor (LCMHCA), and also certified as a Clinical Military Counselor (CMCC) and Community Health Worker (CHW). Rooted in her belief in harm reduction, Ryann values its emphasis on autonomy and meeting people where they are. Her work in this field has expanded her understanding of functional disabilities and community support, offering a broader and more inclusive lens than traditional counseling alone.

Time allotted to check-out from hotel if needed.

 

Breakout Group A:

Push for Supplies: Implementing Harm Reduction Vending Machines

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Harm reduction vending machines are a game-changer for expanding access to life-saving supplies like naloxone, syringes, and safer use kits—no appointments, no stigma, just support. This workshop will cover what to explore when implementing a harm reduction vending machine program, including funding, community buy-in, legal considerations, and strategic partnerships. Participants will walk away with a roadmap for launching and sustaining harm reduction vending in their own communities and opportunities to join a learning series for providers in New Jersey.

Speakers:

James Wilson, Consulting Partner, In the Works

James Wilson (he/him) is a harm reduction specialist with the California Department of Public Health who provides technical assistance to syringe services programs statewide with an emphasis on rural harm reduction and health equity work. In his previous role at a rural local health department, James led the implementation of overdose education and naloxone distribution, syringe services, medications for opioid use disorder, and contingency management programs. James started the first harm reduction vending machine program in California and has provided consultation with many programs throughout the U.S. to help guide the implementation of these programs.

Taeko Frost, DrPH, MPH, Principal & Co-Founder, In the Works

Taeko Frost, DrPH, MPH (she/her) is the Principal and Co-Founder of In The Works, a national consulting group that offers training and technical assistance to programs and health departments to expand harm reduction services. Dr. Frost has been an Executive Director of a harm reduction in New York City (Washington Heights CORNER Project, now OnPoint NYC) and brings her expertise to support growing harm reduction centers to align their values with best practices. Dr. Frost has offered executive coaching and organizational development technical assistance to harm reduction centers across the country and brings a particular passion for fusing healthcare services and harm reduction.

 

Breakout Group B:

Drug Checking Implementation at Harm Reduction Programs

Location: Neilson Room

Point-of-care drug checking within syringe service programs using advanced technologies has rapidly expanded across the United States since its initiation in 2019. With its rapid expansion also came significant challenges. Drug checking is a highly complex and resource intensive intervention that requires significant planning and intentionality. This presentation will focus on navigating the implementation process, from technology considerations, staffing models, and training protocols to data collection and dissemination, and implementation.

Speaker:

Yarelix Estrada, MSPH, Researcher, Advocate, and Community Outreach Worker, Remedy Alliance/Drug Checking for the People

Yarelix Estrada, MSPH, is a first-generation Central American, drug policy and harm reduction researcher, advocate, and community outreach worker. Yarelix works for Remedy Alliance for the People on the project Drug Checking for the People providing drug checking technical assistance and training across the country. She previously worked as a City Research Scientist with the NYC Department of Health working on the implementation of the first higher-technology drug checking program in New York City with local syringe service programs and two overdose prevention centers. Yarelix is passionate about supporting people throughout the full continuum of drug use, from use for pleasure and healing to overdose prevention. She is the director of the New York City Psychedelic Society, is on the Board of Directors for the Source Research Foundation, on the Advisory Board of the psychedelic media group Psymposia and is an organizer with the Urban Survivors Union and the Alliance for Collaborative Drug Checking. She received her Master of Science in Public Health in Health Policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Breakout Group C:

Launching Mobile Harm Reduction Services: Key Partnerships and Lessons Learned

Location: Kelly Room

Mobile units are powerful tools for meeting people where they are—literally and figuratively—when it comes to harm reduction. This session explores key strategies to successfully launch and scale mobile harm reduction sites, including partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, logistical barriers to consider, and approaches to build trust and rapport with mobile participants. Real-world data and practical guidance will help attendees to successfully plan, launch, or scale mobile harm reduction services.

Speakers:

Cole Zaccaro, Manager of Harm Reduction Services, VNA Prevention Resource Network

Cole Zaccaro (they/them) is the Manager of Harm Reduction Services at VNA Prevention Resource Network in Asbury Park, NJ. They have the honor to oversee several hard-working, compassionate teams at PRN, including the newly expanded mobile syringe access program spanning Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the low-threshold buprenorphine program, and the Harm Reduction Health program. Cole’s harm reduction journey began with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Injection Drug Users Health Alliance where they helped to evaluate the impact of citywide overdose prevention and syringe access programs. After some years working at the intersection of public health and transportation, they are delighted to return to their harm reduction roots in their home state.

Jenny DeStefano, Harm Reduction Counselor, VNA Prevention Resource Network

Jenny DeStefano (she/her) is a Harm Reduction Counselor at VNA Prevention Resource Network in Asbury Park.  Jenny does daily outreach with the mobile syringe access program and has volunteered since 2022 with New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition and Ocean County's Not One More campaign.

Location: Christopher's Restaurant

Time will be allotted to check-out from hotel if needed.

Breakout Group A:

From Syringes to Stethoscopes: Expanding Health Services at Harm Reduction Centers - How to Get Started

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Harm reduction programs are on the front lines of public health, but many still struggle to offer comprehensive healthcare services onsite. This workshop will explore practical strategies for integrating medical care- such as wound care, vaccinations, and other health services for people who use drugs- into harm reduction settings, while addressing funding, staffing, and logistical challenges. Participants will learn from real-world examples and leave with actionable steps to identify options for their program to expand healthcare access for people who use drugs including local technical assistance available to providers in New Jersey.

We invite New Jersey harm reduction providers who were in the In the Works spring learning series on healthcare assessments to share their takeaways with the larger group.

Speakers:

Kelly S. Ramsey, MD, MPH, Consulting Partner, In the Works

Kelly Ramsey, MD, MPH, MA, FACP, DFASAM (she/her) is a board certified internal medicine and addiction medicine physician who has treated substance use disorder (SUD) since 2004 and been a harm reductionist since the mid-1990s. She has focused her career on providing care for people who use drugs, treating HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and SUD. She has worked in an opioid treatment program (OTP) and federally qualified health center (FQHC) settings. Dr. Ramsey currently works as an Addiction Medicine Physician and Addiction Medicine and Harm Reduction Consultant as well as providing low threshold clinical care and clinical supervision in addiction medicine in two drug user health hubs in New York.

 

Taeko Frost, DrPH, MPH, Principal & Co-Founder, In the Works

Taeko Frost, DrPH, MPH (she/her) is the Principal and Co-Founder of In The Works, a national consulting group that offers training and technical assistance to programs and health departments to expand harm reduction services. Dr. Frost has been an Executive Director of a harm reduction in New York City (Washington Heights CORNER Project, now OnPoint NYC) and brings her expertise to support growing harm reduction centers to align their values with best practices. Dr. Frost has offered executive coaching and organizational development technical assistance to harm reduction centers across the country and brings a particular passion for fusing healthcare services and harm reduction.

 

Breakout Group B:

Art as Harm Reduction: Bringing Creative Practice and Art - Making Harm Reduction Centers in Philadelphia

Location: Neilson Room

How can art and creativity support healing in harm reduction spaces? Making art can help people feel calm, express and regulate emotions, and better connect with themselves and others. Creative spaces bring people together and help build trust and community. These strong relationships can help participants feel more comfortable accessing services like case management, medical care, and support for treatment when desired. Join us to explore how art can create a welcoming space for healing and connection in your harm reduction center.

Speakers:

Lisa Kelley, Trauma-Certified Artist/Advocate

Lisa Kelley (she/her/hers) is a trauma-certified artist/advocate who is committed to building community through art-making. She earned her BFA from Moore College of Art and Design, with a major in graphic design. One of Lisa’s posters about harm reduction is in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Lisa was born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, where she currently makes art in community with people who use drugs and who are experiencing homelessness at Prevention Point Philadelphia. She and her colleague, Kathryn Pannepacker, started a 10-week pilot workshop (Tuesday Tea & Textiles) at the Kensington Storefront in 2017, which continued until the Storefront was closed in 2020, due to Covid and political push-back. The Storefront was situated at Kensington Avenue and Somerset; a corner known for decades as an open-air drug market.

The connections and relationships Lisa has made over the past 8 years often inform her personal artwork. She is currently working on a series of mixed media pieces that highlight the cruel things people say on social media about illicit drugs and the people who use them.

Lisa’s work consists of large painted murals, weavings, printmaking, installations and textile pieces. She enjoys working collaboratively with various groups, such as schools, people experiencing homelessness, community members, families and other artists. Lisa lives in Elkins Park with her husband and daughter.

Kathryn Pannepacker, Textile/Visual and Trauma-Trained Community Artist

Kathryn Pannepacker is a textile/visual and trauma-trained community artist living in Philadelphia, PA. Kathryn has done many projects with Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) and other organizations over the years with folks of all ages and backgrounds. Via MAP’s Porch Light Initiative (at the now closed beloved Somerset location of The Kensington Storefront in Philadelphia), Kathryn and colleague, Lisa Kelley, co-created an art and craft-making workshop called Tuesday Tea & Textiles. This ‘sanctuary studio’ was a creative place for all in the community. Working with folks who use drugs, many of whom are unsheltered, they believe that creating an environment of belonging, welcome and connection is a critical piece in any support model. And what about addressing issues of loneliness and boredom? What began as a 10-week pilot developed into a vital approach to making art with all in the community. Kathryn and Lisa continue to provide art-as-harm reduction & art-as-wellness support work via Prevention Point Philadelphia at The Love Lot and Philly Home. She also does an art workshop at Sunshine House in Kensington. Kathryn has received numerous grants including The Leeway Foundation’s Transformation Award. Her work has been featured on the cover of AMERICAN CRAFT and in many other publications. She offers hands-on workshops and presentations about art and social change.

Breakout Group C:

Location: Kelly Room

Affinity Session for People with Lived and Living Experience: Our Experience, Our Voice, Our Vision

During this session and community discussion, we will share ways that people with lived and living experiences who work in and access harm reduction services can continue to amplify our voices and experiences across NJ. How can we advocate and support building a community and a movement that truly reflects and continues to assert that there will be “nothing about us without us.”

This is a closed session open only to those who identify as having lived and living experience of using drugs.

Speakers:

Kelly LaBar, Harm Reduction Technical Program Manager, Vital Strategies

Kelly LaBar (she,her) is a Harm Reduction Technical Program Manager with Vital Strategies, embedded at NJDOH office of Opioid Response and Policy. She is working towards harm reduction expansion throughout the state with a focus on drug checking and peer navigators.

Kelly is a dedicated and passionate advocate for harm reduction, peer led services, street outreach, and drug policy reform. She is a skilled speaker and facilitator. Additionally, she helps build community in the peer space as a member of NHRC’s Peer Up.

Sheilah Powell, Manager of the Statewide Harm Reduction Center, New Jersey Harm Reduction Center

Sheilah Powell (she/her/hers) is a harm reductionist, a person in recovery and a person who uses substances. A lifelong native of New Jersey and tireless advocate, she serves on various grassroots committees and Boards throughout the state and country. She is currently the Manager of the Statewide Harm Reduction Center at the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition and a long-time facilitator with Mainstream Recovery. Sheilah is a mother of three children, and she loves the beach, yoga, and her dog, Starla. She is an active volunteer for The Phoenix and Comfort Zone Camp, a bereavement camp for children.

Ralph Henderson, Harm Reduction Specialist, Hyacinth Foundation

Ralph Henderson is a dedicated Harm Reduction Specialist with the Hyacinth Foundation, where he has faithfully served for over 20 years. For the past 8 years, Ralph has led the Syringe Access Program on the organization’s mobile unit, providing life-saving resources such as clean syringes, Narcan, condoms, fentanyl test strips, and hygiene kits. His work primarily serves a highly vulnerable population—90% of whom are experiencing homelessness.

In addition to providing harm reduction supplies, Ralph plays a crucial role in connecting individuals to further care by making referrals for detox and treatment programs. His outreach efforts not only meet people where they are, but also offer them pathways to stability and healing.

Ralph began his career at the Hyacinth Foundation as an Incarcerated Discharge Navigator, helping individuals transition back into society after incarceration. He later expanded his impact through HIV testing services before stepping into his current role.

Respected for his deep compassion, community insight, and unwavering dedication, Ralph continues to be a trusted advocate and vital resource for those he serves daily.

Snacks and beverages available in foyer.

Location: Livingston Ballroom

Afternoon Plenary - Myths About Addiction That Stymy Better Policy & Practices

This presentation explores common myths about addiction and shows why better understanding the condition can radically improve prevention, treatment and policy. Myths vary from misperceptions about the nature of addiction itself to the idea that there is only one way to recover and the notion that people must not be “enabled,” and need to “hit bottom” and experience “tough love” before they can improve.

Speaker:

Maia Szalavitz, Author, Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction

Maia Szalavitz is the author, most recently, of Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction, which is the first history of the movement aimed at focusing drug policy on minimizing harms, not highs.

Her previous New York Times bestseller, Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction wove together neuroscience and social science with her personal experience of heroin addiction. It won the 2018 media award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and has written for numerous other publications including TIME, Wired, Elle, the Nation and Scientific American. Her 2006 book, Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids, was the first to expose the damage caused by “tough love” youth treatment and helped spur Congressional hearings. She has also authored or co-authored five other books, including the classic on child trauma, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, with Dr. Bruce D. Perry. She lives with her husband and two squeaky cats in New York City.

Closing Statements and Evaluations