Meet Thomas: Harm Reduction Navigator
We spoke with Thomas Ortiz, who works at our Drop-In Center in East Harlem, to learn more about his role, what his work looks like, and what motivates him each day.
Where Wellness Grows: Inside OnPoint NYC’s Garden Sanctuary
OnPoint NYC’s garden, which is located in the backyard of our East Harlem center, provides staff and participants with an open space to rest, recharge, and connect with nature and one another.
We talked to Juan Cortez, Holistic Services Manager, about the garden’s role in providing a sanctuary for our community:
The garden was started just prior to the pandemic. Rose Erin of Science of Self Yoga donated the gazebo and plant beds.
Acupuncture students donated their time to plant herbs that we use in our detox tea. This tea helps when people are going through opiate withdrawals and cannot sleep. Since then, other herbs and plants have been added, including lemon balm, basil, mint, and sage.
The garden has various day-to-day uses: support groups, volunteer events, and staff meetings are often hosted there, and it also serves as a place for participants and staff to relax and eat lunch.
Staff also maintain a beehive, providing access to fresh honey for garden visitors.
The garden is also used for therapy sessions. The mental health team works together with participants in planting and watering plants as part of a session. This has been successful in helping our participants’ mental wellness, and also serves as a tool for de-escalation.
We host OnPoint NYC events in the garden, including open mics, and wellness events that involve drumming, acupressure, acupuncture, and reiki. These events are open to community members as well as staff and participants.
Participants have expressed that the garden is like an escape from all the negative things they see in this world, even if only for a few minutes.
The garden was started just prior to the pandemic. Rose Erin of Science of Self Yoga donated the gazebo and plant beds.
Acupuncture students donated their time to plant herbs that we use in our detox tea. This tea helps when people are going through opiate withdrawals and cannot sleep. Since then, other herbs and plants have been added, including lemon balm, basil, mint, and sage.
The garden has various day-to-day uses: support groups, volunteer events, and staff meetings are often hosted there, and it also serves as a place for participants and staff to relax and eat lunch.
Staff also maintain a beehive, providing access to fresh honey for garden visitors.
The garden is also used for therapy sessions. The mental health team works together with participants in planting and watering plants as part of a session. This has been successful in helping our participants’ mental wellness, and also serves as a tool for de-escalation.
We host OnPoint NYC events in the garden, including open mic, and wellness events that involve drumming, acupressure, acupuncture and reiki. These events are open to community members as well as staff and participants.
Participants have expressed that the garden is like an escape from all the negative things they see in this world, even if only for a few minutes.
The garden was started just prior to the pandemic. Rose Erin of Science of Self Yoga donated the gazebo and plant beds.
Acupuncture students donated their time to plant herbs that we use in our detox tea. This tea helps when people are going through opiate withdrawals and cannot sleep. Since then, other herbs and plants have been added, including lemon balm, basil, mint, and sage.
The garden has various day-to-day uses: support groups, volunteer events, and staff meetings are often hosted there, and it also serves as a place for participants and staff to relax and eat lunch.
Staff also maintain a beehive, providing access to fresh honey for garden visitors.
The garden is also used for therapy sessions. The mental health team works together with participants in planting and watering plants as part of a session. This has been successful in helping our participants’ mental wellness, and also serves as a tool for de-escalation.
We host OnPoint NYC events in the garden, including open mics, and wellness events that involve drumming, acupressure, acupuncture, and reiki. These events are open to community members as well as staff and participants.
Participants have expressed that the garden is like an escape from all the negative things they see in this world, even if only for a few minutes.
Interested in learning about other OnPoint NYC services? Check out these blog posts; Our Drop-In Centers: Fostering Community, Health, and Dignity; and Keeping Streets Safe and Engaging our Neighbors.
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