Dear AMAAD Friends and Family,
Oftentimes, individuals who experience mental health concerns or substance use disorder feel isolated and alone. Yet, every year, many within our community experience these conditions. I strongly believe it is important to offer support to those facing mental health and substance use disorder. In fact, I initially founded AMAAD (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) as a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), which has continuously worked to create environments and relationships that promote acceptance, with an emphasis on Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people who may feel isolated. I’ve long believed that support from friends and family, especially those with relatable lived experiences is essential to recovery. As a model peer-based organization, AMAAD’s staff and volunteers are importantly inclusive of people who have “walked the walk” and are especially versed at having conversations about prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Too many people are still unaware that prevention works, and that mental health and substance use disorder can be treated, just like other health problems. As a part of the community, I have witnessed the positive reality of recovery. Individuals who embrace recovery achieve improved mental and physical health and form stronger relationships with family and peers. We need to make more people feel as though recovery is possible because it is. They need to know that help is available and that they can get better, both physically and emotionally, with the support of a welcoming community.
The AMAAD Institute is celebrating National Recovery Month by holding a variety of educational activities and events to honor individuals and families who are in recovery. I urge all community members to join the celebration to demonstrate support of the recovery community and help stem the incidence of mental health and substance use disorders. Let people know that free, confidential help is available at the AMAAD Institute.
Thank you,
Dr. Carl Highshaw, MSW
Founder & Executive Director
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September Program Calendar |
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In honor of National Recovery Month, AMAAD will be celebrating the lived experiences of our community members who are celebrating recovery. For the month of September, the AMAAD Institute will highlight their commitment and dedication to maintaining sobriety, especially during COVID-19.
It’s time for our recovery community to shine and the AMAAD Institute plans on making that happen with a series of events hosted throughout the month of September. The AMAAD Institute’s goal for Recovery Month is to create safe spaces virtually and in-person to ensure that no one in the community would be left out of the conversation. This month's substance use and recovery conversations are not just for those in recovery, but also for those who love and support individuals in recovery as well.
Activities include our Wellness Wednesday virtual event dedicated to discussing the impact that substance use on Black and Latinx communities. Other events will include our Resilient Solutions “Free at Last” monthly recovery group, a BBQ at the park, and the premiere of "I Recovered All," a video documentary celebrating the lives of those in recovery.
The final event in our National Recovery Month series will be hosted at Vision Church Los Angeles on Sunday, September 26, closing out the month with a spiritual connection.
Spirituality is one of the re-occurring themes that many people experiencing substance use often mention when they discuss their recovery journey. AMAAD plans on honoring that spiritual connection as well as introducing healing arts and other modalities to the recovery journey. It’s time for Black and Brown people to normalize recovery and speak out about how we can heal, together. The conversation begins with us.
To get connected to any of our National Recovery Month events feel free to visit our AMAAD website, add AMAAD Institute on Instagram, email chris@amaad.org for a monthly flyer, or call us at 310-569-1610. We look forward to healing with you.
Darnell Green
Manager of Youth and Programs
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The AMAAD Institute is excited to announce its newest project, COVID-19 Outreach & Access Project. Made possible by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the COVID Outreach & Access Project is in partnership with REACH LA and the Wall Las Memorias and prioritizes Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals and families ages 12-49 years old in Los Angeles County, California. AMAAD’s new COVID Unit will host events, create pop-up vaccination clinics, as well as support COVID testing and vaccine linkage and navigation support. The project will also build informational and promotional material along with a strong social media presence centering on Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ experiences.
AMAAD is looking to hire 3 full-time roles – 1 Program Coordinator and 2 Program Specialists. For more information or to apply, visit www.amaad.org!
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What day of the week works best for you to participate in a "Meet & Greet?"
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AMAAD, in collaboration with LAC +USC Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs is excited to implement the Ending the HIV Epidemic Project for Los Angeles County.
AMAAD will conduct community engagement, outreach, and mobilization throughout LA County to support the goals and strategies of the five-year federal/national initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic: A plan for America.
Through collaboration with local stakeholders and community partners, community members, and new voices in the community, our plan is to innovate, develop, organize, and sustain efforts to address HIV prevention and care-related issues.
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How to get involved?
To get involved or for more information on the EHE Initiative, visit www.amaad.org or contact Jamar Moore at jamar@amaad.org!
Jamar Moore
EHE Program Manager
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Dezire Gregory-Highshaw (she, her) |
Data & Evaluation Specialist |
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and being a credentialed Applied Behavior Analysis Technician, Dezire brings a passion for community engagement and outreach. There is a certain drive in her that allows her to feel as though she has a duty to serve the community, specifically the racially and socioeconomically diverse demographic of the individuals that we serve every day.
Her role will center managing and coordinating program and organizational data to support AMAAD's growing reach and services.
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William Buckhalter (he, him) |
Community Engagement & Training Coordinator |
From his life experiences, William has uncovered his life’s purpose, discovered the power that lies within, and recovered his authentic self.
In his role, his passion to inspire and motivate can be seen through his program efforts of community engagement around HIV prevention, education, and care.
William received his BS in Psychology from Liberty University in 2018 and is currently enrolled at North Central University for his MSW.
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Christopher Webb (he, him) |
Media & Communications Coordinator |
Christopher Webb has worked for The AMAAD Institute for nearly three years, beginning as Outreach Specialist / HIV Tester. During his journey, he was promoted to Communications and Outreach Specialist where he grew his talents in graphics and video production taking AMAAD's social and digital to the next level.
In his new role as Media and Communications Coordinator, Chris will continue to grow, amplify, and expand AMAAD's digital, virtual, and social platforms and metrics as well as serve as lead on all AMAAD design and media efforts.
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The ROAR Project [Restoration, Outreach, Advocacy, and Resiliency] assists youth in South Los Angeles with the basic needs of life in addition to diversion for youth and young adults from decisions that result in justice involvement. The ROAR Project provides support to communities of color that are impacted by the justice system and/or experiencing homelessness.
With a focus in South LA, significant portion of youth people served have lived experiences with shelters, dysfunctional homes, or the streets of LA, often having to fend for themselves for basic daily needs such as food, toiletries, and safe shelter.
Team ROAR, Jerran Hinnant and Joshua Thomas, began to assess the needs of their community. From that came Jerran & Joshua’s Rack or JJ’s Rack. Project JJ’s Rack spawned out of the response to witnessing youth experiencing homelessness and not having access to fresh clothing and hygiene resources. Together they handpicked items from their individual closet to get the idea rolling. They also partnered with a longstanding collaborative organization, Home At Last (HAL) to assist the youth. Together they donated 4 bags of clothing to the youth of HAL & The ROAR Project of the AMAAD Institute. These clothing items feature fluid expression options as well as streetwear and business casual, which speak to the diverse needs and representation of ROAR program participants. Since the launch of JJ’s Rack, there has been a considerable amount of support from partnering organizations such as Watts Healthcare Care & Restoration Community Development Project who have contributed both goods and resources to further this initiative.
If you would like to contribute to our project, we need men’s gently used clothing, shoes, new men’s underclothes (all sizes are acceptable), men’s hygiene items, and laundry detergent. If you are outside of the LA area, we welcome financial donations as well! For more information on how to donate, please visit www.amaad.org and add note "JJ’s Rack" in the comment section.
Together we can meet the needs of the youth of South LA!
Project ROAR Team
Jerran Hinnant, Joshua Thomas
Recruitment and Referral Coordinator, Health Educator
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Christopher Webb
Communications Coordinator
(He, Him, His)
Gerald Garth
Editor
(He, Him, His)
Carl Highshaw
Publisher
(He, Him, His)
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