The Silver Van: How one local organization is fighting the opioid crisis
By Kaisha Young Medill Reports In recent years, opioid-related deaths have spiked nationwide. Since 2001, the Chicago Recovery Alliance has been working to combat the opioid crisis by utilizing a harm reduction approach with users across the city. Photo at top: The Chicago Recovery Alliance van is parked at an outreach location. (Kaisha Young/MEDILL)
San Juan outreach program supports local homeless community
By Chris Schulz Medill Reports SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – It’s just before 8 p.m. when we arrive at Iniciativa Comunitaria in the Rio Piedras neighborhood of San Juan. Every Friday night, Iniciativa conducts Operación Compasión, a nighttime round to serve the local homeless population by providing food, coffee, juice, condoms, clothes, hygiene kits and […]
Chicago’s former addicts help addicts recover
By Anna Boisseau It’s nearly 12:30 p.m. when a rushed young man drops by the Chicago Recovery Alliance’s parked silver truck in West Garfield Park. He’s turned away for HIV testing, but told to come back next week, but just a bit earlier. The truck can’t be late for its next stop in Austin. If […]
China clamps down on homosexual content on TV and online
By Jenny Lee and Ya Zhou Vulgar, immoral and unhealthy. That is how the Chinese government views homosexuality, and that stance became more apparent after the release of a new set of guidelines by one of the main media censorship bodies last December. Reflecting that homosexuality impairs public morality and social stability, the eight-page document […]
Choir finds harmony, hope, healing from addiction
By Brendan Hickey The members of the Harmony, Hope, & Healing choir all have something in common: They struggle with drug addiction and homelessness, they are enrolled or have completed a 12-step recovery program, and they all know Tina Villapando. Kevin Tamila abused drugs for much of his life. After joining Harmony, Hope & Healing […]
