***EVENT*** Cleaning Up and Reaching Out on March 27

Join us as we collaborate with others on March 27th to clean-up trash, train and organize teams to clean up used syringes, and educate neighbors. We will also be handing out free canned goods courtesy of Professor Al Smith and his Modesto Junior College students. You can't go wrong with free BBQ, music, and cool people. Hope to see you there!

When:     March 27, 2010
               Noon to 5PM

Where:    Cesar E. Chavez Park
               4th Street, Modesto

***Bring gloves if you have them!***

Public Health Rally and Syringe Exchange Supporters in Downtown Modesto Make Some Noise

The mix of supporters gathered in front of the Stanislaus County Courthouse on February 1 were from all walks of life. More than thirty nurses, teachers, students, social service providers, outreach workers, volunteers, and other community members showed up ready to raise awareness about the importance of harm reduction in the valley. Each had their own reasons for being there, but one thing was constant. They care about progress and efficient solutions. They care about people. The rally and outreach event was organized in an effort to draw attention to the critical issue of syringe access in Stanislaus County. It also served to gather supporters in unity with two volunteers arrested at a high risk area syringe exchange program in April 2009. The volunteers were back in court to hear Judge Ricardo Cordova's ruling on the use of a medical necessity defense in their upcoming trial. 

Although the Modesto Bee referred to the group as "angry", in reality the public health supporters were poised and focused on promoting health and wellness for Stanislaus County . The message was loud and clear that public health and prevention must be valued over politics and moral arguments - clean needles SAVE MONEY and SAVE LIVES. The peaceful crowd offered educational materials to passers by, speakers shared their POV, community members were engaged and discussed their compelling stories with volunteers, and a variety of media outlets took interest in the activities out front of the courthouse. Reactions to the group were mixed and debates ensued, but there were no confrontations.

Inside Department 8, Judge Ricardo Cordova postponed his decision on whether a defense of medical necessity could be used when the defendant's face their jury starting March 23. He stated the need to explore the issue further. Evidence was discussed, including undercover audio and video tapes that had only just been turned over to the defense team weeks earlier. An interview with one of the volunteers that aired several months earlier on the Berkeley radio station KPFA was also discussed and then deemed admissable. The DAs also requested that Judge Cordova consider other items besides syringes such as cotton balls, sterile water, and sterile cookers (standard harm reduction tools) in the definition of 'paraphernalia'. This was met with firm argument from the defense and an obvious stirring in the crowd followed. Judge Cordova will revisit the issue at the next hearing.

Barring any further delays, the defendants and their supporters will be back in Department 8 on March 1 at 1:30 PM to hear the judge's ruling on medical necessity and the disputed paraphernalia issue. Although there will not be any organized activities planned in front of the courthouse, please join others inside the courtroom as a show of solidarity in support of public health and safety, prevention, and overall community wellness!

  

Off the Streets Youth Volunteers Collecting Blankets Until Dec. 17!

The Blanket Drive is off to a great start! A lot of people are stepping up and joining in the effort. Roosevelt Junior High School will offer CJSF community service hours for students who volunteer, and it was also confirmed today that blankets collected by the youth will be shared at an annual event honoring those who have died on the streets of Stanislaus County this year. It will be a wonderful learning opportunity for our young people to be involved in this way!

The Homeless Persons' Memorial Day will be held this year on December 21 at the Salvation Army on D Street in Downtown Modesto. I will post a flyer when I receive one. There will be entertainment, refreshments, information, and a candlelight vigil. Off the Streets will also be doing some outreach and tabling educational resources. The event starts at 5:30.

*Event* Community BBQ, Training, & Clean-Up Nov 29 @ Mellis Park

Off the Streets Project is working in collaboration with Modesto Brown Berets and will be out in the community cleaning up, reaching out, and working together to make a difference. Check it out:

• Sunday November 29, 1pm-5pm
• @ Mellis Park in Modesto
• BBQ, Free Music, Open Mic
• Know Your Rights Info & Training
• Used Needle and Trash Clean-Up

Please come out and join us! It promises to be a great afternoon.

Props to Tom and Bianca of MBB for organizing this event...

Off the Streets Gains Its First Teen Volunteers! How EXCITING!!!

We are proud to welcome our first two teen volunteers to the Off the Streets family!

They represent both Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties and are really eager to get to work. The teens will be focusing on media, outreach and education, administrative assistance, and event planning. This is so huge to us here at Off the Streets! As their adult allies, we appreciate their willingness to engage in their community and learn something new. They totally kick and we can't wait to see what they accomplish, not only here at Off the Streets, but in their lives!

All of our teen volunteers are given opportunities to:

• Learn a variety of new skills
• Be exposed to and connected with practical and up to date information, relevant research, other community members and leaders, and a variety of expert-level resources throughout the world
• Collaborate within the community in a variety of ways
• Attend valuable trainings - generally at no cost
• Perhaps most importantly, young people will be encouraged to share their already developed skills and interests in a meaningful way
• And more! The possibilities are endless ... it just depends on who comes out!

Volunteer experiences with Off the Streets also look good on resumes and college applications, and sound good in an interview. We offer really strong volunteer opportunities - plus we have a lot of fun! Seriously, check it out!!!

• If you or a young person you know is interested in finding out more please contact us!!! You won't regret it!!
• offthestreetsproject@yahoo.com
• Become a fan on facebook from this site, in the left hand column. And suggest us to friends!

In 90 Minutes and 2 Blocks

Off the Streets volunteers gathered at the Peace Life Center on Sunday Nov. 8 for some information, discussion, and training around syringe exchange programs and harm reduction principles. Seven of the volunteers in attendance then headed to the Airport District for a quick assessment and clean up effort. We didn't at all expect what was to come of the day.

Collected in 90 minutes and 2 blocks (two alleys, a park, and a dirt path):

65 used syringes

2 crack pipes

1 cooker

Remnants of about 20 other syringes

We were completely shocked! The picture posted here is from that day.

Door to door and street outreach supported the clean-up. Informational handouts concerning what to do if you find a syringe, who to call, etc. were provided. It was also emphasized in conversation that families educate their children about syringes. People were very grateful that we were out there trying to help. They know. They see. They get it - even if the powers that be don't.

We are anxious for our next clean-up at the end of the month ... looking at probably hitting some alleys on the southside this time.

We have already gotten some valuable feedback from the community of some locations that need to be cleaned up. If you know of a hotspot where used syringes sit dangerously in the open let us know! Hit us up on Facebook or send us an email at offthestreetsproject@yahoo.com.