Rachel King-Johnson is a harm reductionist, counselor, and advocate for the underserved. She serves as the Director of Clinical Outreach of the Phoenix Center, where she coordinates the Springfield Harm Reduction Initiative (SHaRI). The SHaRI Project is the Center’s syringe access program, which supplies clean syringes and collects used ones to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. VanKe’via and Rachel dive into a conversation about the needs of those who identify as LGBTQ+, have HIV/or AIDS, have substance use concerns, or have a history of incarceration. Rachel discussed the intersection of these identities and how they may impact an individual on their reentry journey. Lastly, she highlights how the initiative aims to support individuals throughout their transition from incarceration.

A description of the Phoenix Center is listed below:

The Phoenix Center is Central Illinois’ LGBTQ Community Health Center that provides housing for LGBTQ unhoused folx, as well as housing for people living with HIV. In addition, they provide public health interventions such as harm reduction services and legal/medical advocacy.

Interested in learning more about Phoenix Center, please review their social media and professional pages:

Phoenix Center

IG: phoenix2U

FB: Springfield Harm Reduction Initiative- Phoenix2U

Need more information on LGBTQ+ Community Health Care Resources:

Out2Enroll

Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality

Need more information about Harm Reduction:

Principles of Harm Reduction

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration - Harm Reduction

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Host: VanKe’via Garner, M. S.

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