The Harm Reduction Worker Wellness Network is a cross-sector network that aims to generate recommendations and actions to support worker wellness in sectors impacted by the overdose crisis.
Membership includes 15+ harm reduction, housing, shelter and HIV/AIDS service agencies across so-called Toronto, and is comprised of frontline workers, community members, and middle and upper management. The HRWWN meets virtually every 2nd Friday of the month from 10:30 – 11:45. For virtual access, please contact Juno Zavitz at [email protected]
VISION
Harm reduction workers are fully empowered and supported to sustainably navigate traumatic grief & loss experiences connected with the drug poisoning crisis through an ecosystem of accessible and culturally relevant supports.
MISSION
The Network will collaborate to support and empower harm reduction workers to foster self-determined healthy relationships with grief and loss connected to the drug poisoning crisis by enhancing capacity, providing supports and resources, as well as advocating for systems-level change.
VALUES
Equity, accessibility and social justice include a commitment to anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, recognizing that oppression overlaps and intersects for many people.
Collective care and interdependence as well as meaningful engagement and leadership for those most affected by the drug poisoning crisis where ‘no decisions are made about us without us’.
All work is approached from a harm reduction and trauma-informed lens.
OUTPUTS: 2020 – 2021
- Secured multiple grants to develop and deliver services in collaboration with network partners
- de-siloing across Toronto harm reduction sector
- Preliminary evaluation and research with community partners to inform future service delivery
- hosted inaugural Worker Wellness Day on Aug 4th 2021: a day to celebrate, relax, eat and be with each other in person
- policy recommendation and development for workplace wellness
- Collaboration with Toronto Coroner’s Office to facilitate location of missing community members