Jason Beltre
2:34:45
I serve as the director of community initiatives and impact at HomePoint NYC.
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I'm testifying today in opposition to intros zero eight six eight and one one six nine.
2:34:55
My program, the outreach and public safety team at HomePoint provides essential mobile services in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx.
2:35:03
And, of course, we're also operating the city through overdose prevention centers.
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Our mobile teams play a vital role in supporting community needs, including responding to areas of need near school and playgrounds.
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Not only are we collecting syringes, but we're distributing much needed supplies like food, clothing, and connecting people to care.
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Schools and partners throughout the community and area can easily access our services through our public safety hotline, allowing us to provide support often immediately.
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I wanna highlight how our overdose prevention center also aligns with our shared goal of keeping our streets and parks free of syringe litter and hazardous waste.
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When we first opened our our overdose prevention center in Washington Heights, our partners in the parks department reported a a a decrease in syringe litter from 13,000 syringes monthly to less than a thousand syringes monthly.
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Additionally, since September 2024, we've collected over 2,000 syringes from one school location alone.
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We visit schools twice a day before drop off and dismissal to help ensure an environment that is safe for students.
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Beyond the syringe collection, we're working in collaboration with schools in other meaningful ways.
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For example, at our Washington Heights Wheel School, we've partnered with their stool crew, their green corridor lab, and their work based learning program for multiple years at this point.
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The work based learning program has been a unique opportunity for us to employ interns whose lives have been impacted by addiction or for those interns who are interested in pursuing careers in the medical field.
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Both the Stool Crew and Green Corridor focus on community cleanup and overall well-being.
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In conclusion, the work that we do in this community is vital for public and safety for public health and safety.
2:36:47
We strongly oppose the proposed legislation and that this would hinder our ability to support the community in these essential ways.
