Harm Reduction Action Center, Denver's Biggest Syringe Exchange, Moving to Colfax

Dear Fabulous Supporter, While many of you are newer to us, most of you have been long-time supporters.  It is with great pleasure to let you know that the Harm Reduction Action Center is moving to a larger location.  Yes, serving over 2,300 participants in a 650 sq. foot storefront just wasn't cutting it anymore.  As you can imagine, it was difficult to find a larger location that would suit our needs.  However, we did just that.  It is almost triple the size with 2 bathrooms.  When we told participants this morning, they were so excited!  Especially, for more room. Our last day at 733 Santa Fe Drive will be on Friday, October 31.  We will begin our operations at our new storefront, 231 E. Colfax, on Monday, November 3.  Nary a blip in our services, obviously.  This new space is kind of a fixer upper.  So, we need to do some handywork, painting, and moving in the next 6 weeks. And this is where our super supportive and awesome community (i.e., you, yes you) come in.  We need your support.  Specifically, your time, energy, or money.  Remember, it takes a village to raise the Harm Reduction Action Center. 1.  If you are planning on attending our upcoming Friday, October 10 fundraiser, then I need you to buy your ticket(s) today. 2.  You got time and energy?  Well, we like that.  We will soon know when we will be doing our painting, handywork, and packing parties.  Reply to this email and let Lisa know to put you on the list to help. 3.  No time or energy?  No problem.  Not attending the fundraiser?  No problem.  Then, we need your money.   or "Give the gift of doing" with a Home Depot Gift Card. Seriously, we need your help.  This move was unexpected and the ONLY place in town that would allow us to rent from them (with our other barriers of being more than 1,000 feet from all schools and childcare centers) requires our collective efforts to make HRAC's over 2,300 participants feel welcome in our new location. 4.  And if nothing else, hug a fellow harm reductionist today.  Trust us, they could use one.

Welcome to our new team member We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new AmeriCorps VISTA, Magalie Lerman.  Magalie was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She moved to Denver with her family in 2000. She graduated high school from Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy in 2004. Magalie spent the next six years of her life in chronically homeless conditions battling drug dependency. She spent six months in jail and was charged with a felony in 2009. Magalie is now in recovery, and is passionate about addressing injustices impacting the community. She volunteered with Prax(us) for nearly a year doing outreach and community organizing with people in the sex trade before joining staff as Outreach Organizer, and finally, Co-Executive Director. Magalie took the next step in her career in harm reduction in 2014 when she joined the team at the Harm Reduction Action Center as our AmeriCorps VISTA. She now works to promote public health and the dignity of Denver's injection drug users. Magalie also volunteers her time working with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program of Denver, and sits on the board of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition. She is currently a student at Metro State University of Denver.  Buy your tickets today!  You really won't want to miss this event.   Who?  Denver Health Medical Center - Dr. Kerry Broderick, Dr. Josh Blum, and Dr. Kevin Kaucher, PharmD Why?  In the Fall of 2013, these 3 badasses were able to add Naloxone to the formulary at Denver Health so all Denver Health prescribers can prescribe Naloxone to opiate users and to those folks that love opiate users (third party).  Then, in a total badass move, they designed a protocol that anyone that is discharged from their Emergency Department after an observation of an overdose is prescribed Naloxone.  And it is cost-effective in their pharmacy.  This is a lifesaver and only happening in a few other hospitals in the United States. Who? King Soopers General Manager - Theresa Pelo Why? About a year ago, Ms. Pelo became the General Manager of the King Soopers Denver location at 13th and Speer.  This is a very busy store, for those of you in the know.  Quickly, she realized that there needed to be an opportunity for proper syringe disposal.  She went to KS Corporate and was able to gain approval to install syringe disposals in the stalls of each of the bathrooms.  Then, in a total badass move, she led the initiative to install syringe disposals in each bathroom of the 144 KS Colorado stores.  When we met with her a few months ago to learn more about her initiative she said, "it was just the right thing to do."  Who?  HRAC Local Hero - Vernon Lewis Why?  If you don't know Vernon, then you have been living underneath a rock.  He was prescribed Naloxone in May 2012.  Since then, he has saved 19 lives in Denver.  Yes, you read that right, Vernon has utilized his Naloxone 19 times.  And those 19 people are alive because of him.  Bad.ass.  Here is a profile of someone he saved.    When? Friday, October 10, 2014  5:30-8:00pm  Where? Artwork Network 878 Santa Fe Drive Tickets are $45 and on sale today, $60 at the door Cash bar, appetizers, and silent auction ... you really won't want to miss this event.

Hygiene & Food are needed Besides our services of testing, syringes, disposal, health education, access to Naloxone (111 lives saved!), referrals, smiles, and hugs ... we also like to provide coffee, food, and hygiene items.  Food we need: cereal, milk, coffee, snacks, lunch meat, sandwich bread, and veggie & fruit trays. Hygiene (travel-size) we need:  shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and lotion. Can't do in-kind donations or make it to our upcoming fundraiser?  Please don't hesitate to donate today!