A Message from the CEO
We took the no shame pledge. Will you?
“I have committed to doing my part to stop the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health challenges by empowering others while encouraging care, treatment, and recovery.”
HomeAid recently had the opportunity to not only attend but to have a booth at the NAHB International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas where we got to see many of our supporters and friends and also to make new ones. At IBS, it is always an honor to be there with our other non-profit partners such as Hope for Homes and Operation Finally Home, and hear of the incredible impact they are having in our country and around the world. In addition to the great work of these organizations, we met a new organization SAFE Project who was in the booth next to HomeAid. It was great to get to know both Gina Riordan and Jeff Horwitz as they shared with us and others the great work that they are doing.
SAFE Project's mission is to contribute in a tangible way to overcome the addiction epidemic in the United States. Using a collaborative, multi-pronged, and non-partisan approach, their key initiatives focus on SAFE Campuses, SAFE Communities, SAFE Veterans, and SAFE Workplaces. They are fueled by SAFE Project’s six lines of operation: public awareness, full-spectrum prevention, prescriptions and medical response, law enforcement and criminal justice, treatment and recovery, and family outreach and support. SAFE Project turns hope into action through transformative programs, training, and technical assistance. To learn more, you can visit: www.safeproject.us
It was great to learn not only about their work but how we will seek to partner with them on future cooperative endeavors with HomeAid’s Affiliates and service providers across the nation.
The issue of opioid abuse and other addictions has risen to a level of national crisis as the number of people abusing prescription drugs and heroin has dramatically risen, and the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths has tripled since 2000. In 2014, an estimated 2.5 million people had opioid-use disorders (OUD) involving prescription drug or heroin abuse, and overdoses are now responsible for more than 100,000 deaths each year.
While the epidemic is notable for affecting people of any race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other identifiers, its effects are felt in unique and notably harmful ways by people who are experiencing homelessness. Evidence indicates that substance use disorders are known risk factors for homelessness, and data clearly shows that substance abuse and overdose disproportionately impact people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
It was an honor to take their pledge along with Monique Waddington and Taylor Booth showing that we too were dedicated to ending the addiction epidemic by working directly with communities, campuses, veterans, and workplaces.
You never know where you will find a new partner and how you can support their work in making a difference in our communities and I am grateful to know SAFE Project and the impact they are having as we are together building a future without homelessness.
Scott Larson, HomeAid CEO
