About Essivi Collins and Intro to Harm Reduction

• My life was heavily entrenched in alcoholism and mental health crises during the period when the COVID-19 pandemic dawned upon the world. This period marked my curiosity and understanding of the complexities of recovery, resilience, and the crucial role of support systems.
• I have observed these elements and their nuances within psychiatric wards, jail cells, substance use programs and finally finishing probation and pursuing education. In this way, my most challenging experiences have shaped my personal growth and fueled my drive to help others navigate similar situations.
• My current community efforts have reinforced my belief in the transformative power of
  social work. I work in a harm reduction agency focused on supporting individuals with complex needs, where I provide case
  management, crisis intervention, and advocacy. I am involved in outreach efforts and
  coordinating with several other nonprofit and government initiatives to contribute to harm
  reduction implementation in this historically disadvantaged area.
• Advocacy for policy and
  growth of harm reduction has allowed me to see the profound impact of empathetic, client-centered, trauma-informed care, outreach, and collaborative community outreach. These are
  essential in effectively serving diverse, vulnerable communities.

• The present-day NYC environment that is deeply concerning, marred by the opioid
  epidemic and the effects of the COVID pandemic, facing instability through recent political
  change, and with growing mental health crises. Social work extends beyond direct service and
  requires systemic advocacy, policy reform, and community empowerment here. As a current
  student in the Silberman school for Social Work at CUNY Hunter College, I am actively
  deepening my academic knowledge in research, policy analysis, and evidence-based practice.
• I am the student representative of the 2026 class, intending to unite my community efforts with my
  student body, professors, and harm reduction research. My
  passion and work is to bridge gaps in services, advocate for holistic care models, and contribute
  to policies that address social inequities. This requires providers with great empathy and
  understanding of the complex trauma and history that need to be transformed.