Superheroes: The Syringe Access Program at Prevention Point Philadelphia

The Syringe Access Program at Prevention Point Philadelphia

Nominated by fellow Supershero Caitlin Conyngham (pictured on the left), the fabulous staff (Andres, Rafael, Terri, Luis) of the syringe access program at Prevention Point Philadelphia. Caitlin helped organize this surprise ORGANIZATIONAL CAPING (the only other organizational caping was to the Austin based free PrEP Access program now called the Kind Clinic.)

We caped Andres Freire and Rafael Melecio (on the right, who looked so fine in the cape and as if it was suited just for them we left it on!) on behalf of the entire program. Philadelphia experienced 1100+ overdoses last year. HIV rates on are on the rise (where they are declining elsewhere in the country).

What matters in such a crisis? The folks doing syringe access and outreach to people who are street affected and substance involved. It's an irony that these are also some of the most undervalued and at the same time challenging jobs.

We can create all the biomedical interventions and cool graphics for fancy initiatives, but if there are not people like Andres, Rafael, Terri and Luis who do the work they do with their whole hearts.....not one thing will change.

Saluting you: the frontline staff at Prevention Point Philadelphia. Wear the cape on the hard days. The fun days. The sunny days. The dark days. What you are doing matters. Thank you for creating connection, providing education and doing the quiet behind the scenes work of the revolution. We see you. A deep bow of gratitude.

About the Love Superhero Hall of Gratitude

“The plain fact is that the world does not need more successful people, but it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane.” David Orr

I deeply admire those who "live well in their places." The ordinary and the unsung who offer to the world the very best parts of themselves without expectation.

This is a beautiful expression of love in her calm, persistent, generous manner - offering a ripple of change (a metamorphosis) to the world.

Inductees to the Love Superhero Hall of Gratitude are caped in recognition of their contributions to a love-filled world.