On August 19, 2025, Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) joined leaders and service providers at the Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference, presenting on Community-Led Strategies for Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction.
Representing SMRS were:
- Vanessa Ramos, Program Director, Royal Palms
- Charles Porter, Senior Director, Prevention Services
- Sofia Piedrahita, Community Care Coordinator
- Michael Rimson, Program Manager, Support Services, Skid Row Care Campus
They shared how harm reduction, prevention, and outreach can save lives and transform communities when guided by compassion and community voice.
The session began with an interactive activity led by Sofia Piedrahita, who passed out harm reduction kits and asked the audience to define harm reduction in their own words. The simple exercise sparked a conversation about what these tools represent.
“It’s important that we’re accessing these communities and ensuring they have access to lifesaving medication and treatment.” — Sofia Piedrahita
Participants echoed that harm reduction means “lifesaving care,” “meeting people where they’re at,” and “an open door to treatment when they’re ready.”
Royal Palms: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Outreach
Vanessa Ramos spoke about Royal Palms, SMRS’ residential program serving LGBTQ+ individuals:
“Royal Palms was once an all-men’s program, but in 2017, we shifted our focus to LGBTQ+ care. Through the HEAR US grant, we were able to do street-based outreach, provide EMDR therapy, and distribute over 1,100 harm reduction kits across Los Angeles—including MacArthur Park, Long Beach, Silver Lake, and Pomona.”
She emphasized that the kits went beyond the basics:
“We listened to what people told us they needed—snacks, water, socks—and we added them. That’s harm reduction too.”
Sofia shared data gathered from outreach:
- 1,147 individuals served
- 46 organizations connected to LGBTQ+ networks of care
- 531 people reported experiencing overdoses, many within the past six months
- Methamphetamine and fentanyl use were most common, often combined
“These numbers are sobering,” she noted. “They reflect not just MacArthur Park, but a national trend. It shows why access to treatment, harm reduction tools, and community-based care is urgent.”
Prevention as Community Empowerment
Charles Porter highlighted SMRS’ long-standing prevention work in Skid Row:
“Prevention isn’t just telling kids not to use drugs. It’s about creating healthier neighborhoods. Connection is the opposite of addiction, and prevention starts with listening to the community itself.”
He described advocacy efforts that led to expanded park programming, LAUSD’s homeless education office, and even policy changes restricting alcohol outlet density in parts of downtown Los Angeles.
“When we listen, communities tell us what the problems are—and they already know the solutions.”
Skid Row Care Campus: Building Trust, Saving Lives
Closing the panel, Michael Rimson shared impact data from SMRS’ role at the Skid Row Care Campus and Refresh Spot:
- 30,000 clean restroom uses in four months
- 27,000 showers
- 17,000 loads of laundry
- 3,000 service engagements and 800 housing referrals since May 2025
“At the Care Campus, our goal is never to say ‘no.’ People in Skid Row are used to rejection. We greet them, listen, and find a way to connect them to what they need. These are people too, neighbors, family members, members of our community.”
Michael added that most of his staff are either long-time residents or have decades of experience in downtown Los Angeles:
“That lived experience matters. It builds trust, and trust saves lives.”
The SMRS panelists emphasized that prevention, harm reduction, and treatment cannot work in silos. Community leadership, culturally responsive care, and consistent outreach are essential to saving lives.
As SMRS continues to expand its work, the message remains clear: We Listen. We Understand. We Take Action.
