Historic Queens organization hosts Opioid Summit, launches new L.E.A.P. recovery program to provide holistic recovery support in the community
May 20, 2019, Corona, Queens, NY — Today, Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc. (Elmcor), in collaboration with Legal Action Center launches a two-day educational summit on the “opioid crisis” and related local public health issues, new treatment models and best practices on issues ranging from substance abuse, prevention, recovery, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), mental health, co-occurring disorders and more. Keynote speakers are New York State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, Debra Small, and Deborah L. Levine. Elmcor’s The summit will take place at Elmcor’s main campus at 33-16 108th Street (at Northern Boulevard).
The summit also launches Elmcor’s new recovery program Leading the Elevation of Alternative Pathways (LEAP), which increases treatment and recovery access to participants of its Center of Treatment Innovation Services along the whole recovery journey including basic services like transportation to detoxification treatment; delivering recovery services to the community through mobile unit treatment; medication-assisted treatment; counseling; telehealth and in-community case management and peer support; among others.
“Elmcor is honored to host this urgent summit here at home in Queens, where we began providing recovery and all the community health services our neighbors and families need access to since our roots in the social justice movements of the 1960s,” said Saeeda Dunston, Elmcor executive director and advocate for communities affected by HIV/AIDs. “To look to the future, we have to know our history, what has worked and what hasn’t worked. Elmcor, you, all our incredible speakers and summit participants are coming together towards the same goal: to share and identify bright spots and realistic steps to overcome this pernicious epidemic–together and for all our communities.”
Additional opioid summit speakers include NYC Council Member Francisco Moya, NYS Senator Jessica Ramos, NYS Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, Samuel Roberts, Kassandra Fredrique, Dr. Divine Pryor and Sika Yeboah-Sampong, Esq.
Above its 33-16 Northern Blvd recreational center, Elmcor recently opened the doors of The CORE, a mural-filled “safe space” for youth that is open from 3 to 7 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm on weekends. Programming includes positive alternatives to substance abuse like peer support, homework help, Boxing, Sports, weightlifting, an array of support and discussion groups, recreation, STEM learning and other activities that youth themselves will design and develop as programming as part of a leadership development track. Peer leaders co-create the support and services they need in a non-clinical setting, a safe space where they can learn, heal and build the support systems they need to thrive. Young people from 12 to 17 years old are welcome during open hours.
