Top 10 Projects of 2023
10. Planned a Health to Go Kiosk
This Health to Go vending machine will make health supplies like Narcan® and medication disposal bags available to the community at no cost. It is expected to be installed in early 2024 at the Reading YMCA.
9. Spread Awareness
SOS Berks members provided information and medication safety resources at various community events including the Reading PRIDE Fest, Oley Fair & the Reading Fightin’ Phils (pictured below).
8. Published two issues of The Response Magazine
This included a May issue of The Response in May that focused on the Faces of Recovery, and another issue in December that features several articles in Spanish. Both issues are available online and in print.
7. Drug Take Back Day
SOS Berks co-sponsored Berks County’s Drug Take Back Day, which collected 453 pounds of unwanted medication. In addition, SOS Berks members handed out packets of information about medication safety and substance use disorder resources to the hundreds of people who participated.
6. Hosted two Recovery Simulation Events
Both Recovery Simulations gave participants insights into the challenges of early recovery from substance use disorder. Each event was attended by about 80 people.
5. Provided outreach
The SOS Berks Safety Committee provided outreach in areas with high overdose rates, handing out Narcan® and information on treatment and recovery in an effort to reach more people in need of treatment.
4. Partnered with Helping Harvest
Helping Harvest is a mobile fresh food bank that delivers food to sites throughout the county. SOS Berks members began volunteering this year, providing Narcan® and informational materials about substance use treatment and recovery resources.
3. Dedicated the first SOS Berks Mural
Over the course of 2023, we engaged an estimated 1,000 community members in painting a recovery-themed mural that was installed in August at the corner of 9th & Oley Streets in Reading. About 60 people attended the dedication ceremony in September.
2. Held an SOS Berks Informational Breakfast
The SOS Berks Breakfast was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading in October to provide information about our projects and achievements to potential new members and inviting them to join the coalition. About 70 people attended.
1. Completed our 2nd SOS Berks mural
The Journey, based on the recovery story of Yvonne Stroman and featuring stunning colors and inspirational quotes was completed in October. That mural, which celebrates the journey of recovery, is located at 11th & Richmond Streets in Reading and will be dedicated in the spring.
