We provide non-judgmental quality access to health resources to persons for whom the social stigma attached to their illicit drug use, HIV/HCV status, poverty, race, gender identity, homelessness, or health undermines their ability to access the services they require and deserve.
Our grassroots work began with a needle exchange program to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS among intravenous drug users in the South Bronx. In 1990 SACHR gentrified a drug dealer’s park with HIV education, syringes, condoms, and weekly doses of empathy. Working out of the trunk of a Mitsubishi we moved supplies to St. Ann’s Church in an 8x8 room.
Syringe exchange, provides new, sterile syringes to injectors and removes potentially infected syringes from circulation. Syringe exchange was legalized in 1992 with strong support from the NYS government. St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction (SACHR) became legal in 1993 and was one of the first syringe exchange programs in New York City. This practice is now accepted as the international gold standard for disease prevention and endorsed by public health groups, such as the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Surgeon General.
We have always held close the belief that those who Lead with Empathy, Practice Mercy, and Provide Safety can make an impact and we continue to follow this advice even now! Today, SACHR is the oldest continuously running syringe exchange in the United States. We are a multi-service agency providing a continuum of interventions that treats the whole person – at whatever stage they are. In addition to our street outreach, our center assists with basic needs, such as showers, food, and clothing. We offer a quiet sanctuary with stress-reduction services, including acupuncture, yoga and massage. We also provide educational workshops and mental health counseling. Referral relationships with other service organizations and colleagues give our participants choices – both in and outside of SACHR – as they make their journey toward a healthier and safer life.
Meet the Staff & Board
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Alvaro Arias Chief Financial Officer aarias@sachr.org ext. 1003
Anaisa Garcia Community Space Coordinator agarcia@sachr.org ext. 1005
Ayanna Reyes-Dawson Harm Reduction Specialist areyedawson@sachr.org ext. 1025
Bill Mathews, PA Physician Assistant bmathews@sachr.org ext. 1070
Brandon Kellum Licensed Master Social Worker bkellum@sachr.org ext. 1020
Brent Latino Harm Reduction Specialist blatino@sachr.org ext. 1013
Bruce Trigg, MD Consultant btrigg@sachr.org
Caroline Rath PA Consultant crath@sachr.org
Chiara Sovegni Co-Director of Programs csovegni@sachr.org ext. 1021
Clamarys De Los Santos Office Manager cdelossantos@sachr.org ext. 1014
Courtney Dorritie Harm Reduction Specialist cdorritie@sachr.org
Daisy Valentine Care Specialist dvalentine@sachr.org ext. 1029
Dolores Lopez Receptionist dlopez@sachr.org ext. 1000
Emory Alexander Outreach and Women’s Services Coordinator ealexander@sachr.org ext. 1007
Jazmyna Fanini Registered Nurse jfanini@sachr.org
Jerry Otero, MA Drug User Health Hub Manager jotero@sachr.org ext. 1015
Jose Lopez SAP / Naloxone Coordinator jlopez@sachr.org ext. 1017
Krystal Montalvo Co-Director of Programs kmontalvo@sachr.org ext. 1019
Leni Solorzano Program Assistant lsolorzano@sachr.org
Michael Gilliard SORT Team Member mgilliard@sachr.org
Ric Curtis Evaluator rcurtis@sachr.org
Robert Gillard PDSE rgillard@sachr.org ext. 1015
Rosa Munoz Case Manager rmunoz@sachr.org
Ryan Burns PDSE rburns@sachr.org ext. 1042
Stephanie Fong Case Manager sfong@sachr.org
Steven Hernandez Chief of Staff shernandez@sachr.org ext. 1006
Stewart Kaufman Acupuncture Specialist skaufman@sachr.org
Tiffany Bueno Harm Reduction Specialist tbueno@sachr.org ext. 1009
Tiffany James Case Manager tjames@sachr.org
Timothy Majoor Chief Operating Officer tmajoor@sachr.org ext. 1026
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Fr. Luis Barrios, Ph.D., FACFEI Chair lbarrios@jjay.cuny.edu
Michael T. Baldwin, Esq. Treasurer mtbaldwin@gmail.com
Joyce Rivera Ex Officio jrivera@sachr.org
Barbara Cicatelli, Member barbara@caiglobal.org