Our Mission
We are a low-barrier community based organization that works in tandem with other harm reduction organizations in the county to meet the needs of all people in our community.
We are volunteers from all walks of life. We take direction from our peers and program participants to create inclusive, supportive, and beneficial programming for our community.
This community-led effort is committed to reducing harm and providing evidence-based services, education, and advocacy for all community members in Santa Cruz County. HRCSCC strives to connect directly with people who use drugs in order to gather input that will drive service needs.
Our Values
We accept for better or for worse that substance use is part of the world we live in. We choose to work to reduce the harmful effects of substance use to the individual and the community at large. Our vision is for all members of our community to live healthier lives through connection rather than isolation, acceptance rather than judgment, empowerment rather than exclusion.
We recognize and value small changes in substance use that can have profound positive effects in well being and community health. We all do better when we all do better. We are here to provide support and supplies, including disposal and referrals based on what people need.
“…We appear to have forgotten how to like and respect people who use drugs… We need to re-imagine how harm reduction can work in this austere climate and, yes, maybe this also means we need to rediscover a new style of activism to once again make a difference by keeping people who inject drugs alive and well.”
— Agents of Change, Nick Wilson