ALWAYS STRIVE AND PROSPER FOUNDATION

Join Strivers Circle: Your Monthly Contribution Can Save Lives On Fentanyl Awareness Day, we reflect on the loss of loved ones, safer substance use practices, and the immense power of community action through harm reduction. In response to the growing crisis, we’re proud to introduce the Strivers Circle — a monthly subscription designed to create lasting impact. Inspired by the incredible support from dedicated followers like you, Strivers Circle will provide sustainable resources to continue and expand our life-saving initiatives throughout NYC. The statistics are alarming: over the past few years, NYC has seen a 36% rise in overdose deaths, with a devastating 180% increase in fatal overdoses among teenagers. We’re committed to addressing this crisis with resource-driven, community-based solutions. Now, we need your help. By joining Strivers Circle, you’ll be part of a dedicated group of New Yorkers working toward safety and harm reduction. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference. We believe we must provide access to critical, unbiased information and resources—without judgment. Please consider joining Strivers Circle today and help secure a safer future for our community. To donate and join, click the link down below. #StriversCircle #AlwaysStriveAndProsper #BeSafe #TestYourStuff #HarmReductionSavesLives #CommunityImpact https://lnkd.in/eWDPKwPd

?? Our 2nd Annual Christmas Toy + Coat Drive ?? On December 22nd, 2019, the ASAP Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual Christmas Toy + Coat Drive at Eso Pesco Harlem. The day was filled with holiday spirit, as we welcomed toys, clothes, food, and most importantly, good vibes from our amazing community. Thank you to everyone who came out to give or receive, and a special shoutout to Eso Pesco Harlem and DJ Odalys for keeping the energy high all day. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season as we look back on this memorable event! #HappyHolidays #ASAPFoundation #Harlem #CommunitySupport #GivingBack

Darryl Phillips, the ASAP Foundation's executive director, praises Overdrive's innovative marketing for harm reduction, even though he notes that their test strips are somewhat costly compared to others. He views the branding as appealing, particularly the sleek packaging, which could resonate with younger audiences in New York City. Despite price concerns, Phillips appreciates any efforts that contribute to saving lives and promoting drug safety. For more details, check out the full article here. Source: The New York Times https://lnkd.in/ed6X4qST

?? Thanks + Giving: Reflecting on Our 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner ?? Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we’re reminded of the warmth and togetherness we experienced at our 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. A heartfelt thank you to Tatianna Paulino, Eso Pesco Harlem, our supporters, volunteers, ASAP members, the New York community, and the Harlem families who joined us. Your presence and contributions made last year's event truly special, as we came together to share a meal and spread love. As we prepare for this year’s celebrations, we look forward to continuing the tradition of giving back and supporting each other. #Thanksgiving #CommunitySupport #ASAPFoundation #Harlem #NYC #GivingBack

No Cap Recap!!! ?? Last month, we made significant strides in Atlanta by creating over 1,200 ASAP Foundation #SaferDrug test kits with the help of more than 100 youth members who attended Usher's New Look Disruptivator Summit 2024! ?? A huge shoutout and thank you to our partners We Build The Block and the incredible BlockAID team for making this initiative possible. Together, we’re driving change and advancing harm reduction efforts. #CommunityImpact #YouthEngagement #HarmReduction #ASAPFoundation #DisruptivatorSummit2024 #Usher #WeBuildTheBlock

Did You Know? August is Overdose Awareness Month. Our team has been working tirelessly in the heat to provide safety, education, and resources to youth from NYC to Atlanta. With the spike in overdose and fentanyl-related deaths, now more than ever, it's crucial to be part of the solution. Join Strivers Circle today – the only monthly subscription that directly impacts our communities. Your support can help us continue our life-saving work. https://lnkd.in/eWDPKwPd #OverdoseAwareness #OverdoseAwarenessMonth #StriversCircle #AlwaysStriveAndProsper #BeSafe #TestYourStuff #HarmReductionSavesLives

Celebrating the Strength of Mothers On May 13, 2024, we had the honor of celebrating the incredible mothers in our community during the 6th annual ASAP Foundation Mother’s Day event. This year’s gathering was dedicated to the mothers impacted by the loss of loved ones, substance use, domestic violence, and other struggles, all while they work tirelessly to keep us safe and whole. We hosted a fun-filled vegan luncheon at Spice Moon NYC, where over 35 mothers enjoyed a day of love and appreciation. The event featured karaoke, a big ticket raffle, and complimentary gift bags generously provided by Lanc?me. We’re asking for your help to keep this tradition alive and continue our work in providing education and testing kits that create a safer community. Overdose deaths in NYC have surged by over 36% in the last two years. By making a one-time donation or becoming a member of our Strivers Circle, you can help us make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected. Make mom proud and join the movement by visiting the link in our bio. #MothersDay #StriversCircle #AlwaysStriveAndProsper #HarmReduction #BeSafe #TestYourStuff #CommunitySupport

On 4/16/24, we teamed up with the Manhattan University Black Student Union and We Build The Block for an impactful day at the Manhattan College Quad. The event focused on teaching how to use testing strips to prevent overdoses and save lives. The educational and interactive session empowered attendees to take steps toward harm reduction and community safety. A big thank you to everyone who joined us to help spread awareness and knowledge. Together, we made a difference! #HarmReductionSavesLives #BeSafe #TestYourStuff #ASAPFoundation #CommunityImpact

Reflecting on a Day of Service and Awareness ?? In January, we had a powerful day of service with We Build The Block, Victor Dempsey, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., John Jay College (CUNY)'s Punishment to PUBLIC HEALTH, MK Kaishian, Kaishian & Mortazavi LLC, and Germain Thompson, alongside the Office of the Community Liaison. Under the guidance of ASAP Foundation Executive Director Darryl Phillips, participants learned about safe drug use practices, the use of fentanyl test strips, and the importance of ending drug stigmatization and pursuing drug decriminalization as a strategy to save lives. Together, we assembled over 500 kits for the ASAP Foundation, which were distributed to more than 60 local bars and restaurants. A special thank you to Dana Rachlin for facilitating this invaluable collaboration! ???????? Reflecting on the Impact In 2022, fentanyl was linked to 81% of the 3,026 drug overdose deaths reported in New York City, and there were 434 homicides. With 2.3 million people incarcerated in the U.S.—one in five for drug offenses—overdose remains the leading cause of death among recently released individuals and the third leading cause of death in U.S. jails. We continue to advocate for change and strive to make a difference in our community. #GoodWork #HarmReduction #EndTheWarOnDrugs #FentanylAwareness #CommunitySupport #ASAPFoundation

Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Impact and Growth ???? As we look back on 2023, we’re filled with gratitude for the remarkable achievements and community support we’ve received. Here are some standout moments from the past year: - We successfully held our 6th Annual Holiday Toy + Coat Drive. - We distributed Test Kits + NARCAN? Nasal Spray every day, with special thanks to Dirty Magazine for their Narcan Not Narcs posters. - Our Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway was a success, thanks to our partners We Build The Block and the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, “The GodSquad”. - We made a difference with the Capetown, South Africa Safety Alliance and Prison to College Pipeline visit, hosted by Incarceration Nations Network / INN. - The Back To School Baseball Competition + Field Day was a hit, with support from The 360 Academy, BRUJAS NYC, Ben & Jerry's, Hubcitysoles, Moose Knuckles Canada, STATE Bags, Scar’s Pizza, 24helps, Frederick Benjamin Grooming, LLC, and Cuts by Tone. - Our efforts in nightlife Test Kit Distribution were featured on NBC New York. - We celebrated Mother’s Day with a special event featuring sound meditation and yoga by AWAREHOUSE NYC, with apparel support from Champion. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters, volunteers, and everyone who donated to keep our movement growing. In memory of A$AP Yams and the over 110,000 lives lost to substance overdoses this past year, we remain hopeful for a future where no more lives are lost. ??????? Here’s to more awareness, giving, sharing, and community in 2024! #BeResponsible #BeSafe #TestYourStuff #AlwaysStriveAndProsper