Project Weber/RENEW#Creation of Project Weber

{{Short description|Harm reduction organization in Rhode Island, United States}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Project Weber/RENEW

| image = Project-Weber-RENEW_building.jpg

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| caption = Office at 640 Broad Street in Providence

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| formation = 2016

| founder = Rich Holcomb and James Waterman

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| location = Providence, Rhode Island

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| services = harm-reduction and recovery

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| leader_title = Executive Director

| leader_name = Colleen Ndoye

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| website = {{URL|https://weberrenew.org/}}

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Project Weber/RENEW is a harm reduction organization in Providence, Rhode Island established in 2016 by the merger of Project RENEW and Project Weber.{{Cite news |last=Ovalle |first=David |date=2023-05-17 |title=Overdose prevention centers are tough sell in U.S. despite successes |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/05/08/overdose-prevention-centers/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |issn=0190-8286}} The organization is staffed entirely by people who have directly experienced mental health issues, substance abuse and/or sex work.{{Cite book |last1=Scott |first1=John Geoffrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AeIaEAAAQBAJ&dq=project%20renew%20weber&pg=PT384 |title=The Routledge Handbook of Male Sex Work, Culture, and Society |last2=Grov |first2=Christian |last3=Minichiello |first3=Victor |date=2021-03-21 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-37311-0 |language=en}}

History

= Creation of Project RENEW =

In 2006, Colleen Daley Ndoye started Project Revitalizing & Engaging Neighborhoods by Empowering Women (RENEW), which connects women sex workers with social services and substance abuse treatment.{{Cite book |last=Ioannou |first=Maria |chapter=Prostitution Control in America: Rethinking Public Policy |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781317060079 |title=Safer Sex in the City: The Experience and Management of Street Prostitution |date=2016-04-15 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-60742-9 |editor-last=Canter |editor-first=David |edition=0 |pages=209–228 |language=en |doi=10.4324/9781315607429 }} Project RENEW has been credited with reducing arrests in Pawtucket.{{Cite web |last=Klepper |first=David |date=November 13, 2013 |title=Effort aims to help prostitutes get off the street in Providence |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2013/11/13/effort-aims-to-help-prostitutes-get-off-the-street-in-providence/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=www.boston.com |language=en-US}}

File:Rich Holcomb and James Waterman displaying the Project Weber poster at the 2010 HIV Prevention Summit in Washington DC..jpg

= Creation of Project Weber =

In 2008, Project Weber was founded by Rich Holcomb and James Waterman, in Providence, as the first supportive services in America to exclusively serve male sex workers. The project was named in honor of Roy Weber, a sex worker who was found murdered in Providence in 2003. Project Weber opened its first drop-in center in 2013. After two years of running the drop-in center and nearly seven years of complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol, Holcomb relapsed and resigned as director of Project Weber. The merger into Project Weber/RENEW occurred, in part, to sustain the work of Project Weber, after Holcomb's departure as director. Holcomb continues to be involved in the organization.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title=Police: Suspect in 2003 Providence murder 'shouldn't rest too easy' |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/crime/cold-cases/police-suspect-in-2003-providence-murder-shouldnt-rest-too-easy/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=WPRI.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Milkovits |first=Amanda |title='Invisible' shines spotlight on male prostitutes |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2017/04/13/ri-documentary-focuses-on-underground-world-of-male-prostitutes/21390917007/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Former Male Prostitute Helps Hustlers Leave R.I. Streets {{!}} EDGE Boston, MA |url=https://boston.edgemedianetwork.com/story.php?125867 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=EDGE Media Network |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2016-03-03 |title=Options Magazine {{!}} Drop-In Center Opens for Male Sex Workers in Providence |url=http://optionsri.org/drop-in-center-opens-for-male-sex-workers-in-providence/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221005/http://optionsri.org/drop-in-center-opens-for-male-sex-workers-in-providence/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=ALISON BOLOGNA, NBC 10 |date=2021-05-12 |title=Man starts program to help addicts, including himself, stay clean |url=https://turnto10.com/news/war-on-opioids/man-starts-program-to-help-addicts-including-himself-stay-clean |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=WJAR |language=en}}

= Merger into Project Weber/RENEW =

In 2016, Project Weber which served male sex workers and Project RENEW which served female sex workers merged to become Project Weber/RENEW in a hope to gather more funds and help more people. Project Weber/RENEW is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Weber/RENEW's interventions include education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, peer-led street outreach, addressing basic needs, HIV prevention testing, support groups, and case management.{{Cite web |last=Milkovits |first=Amanda |title=R.I. groups serving female and male prostitutes to merge |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2016/03/26/ri-groups-serving-female-and-male-prostitutes-to-merge/32069057007/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=United |first=AIDS |date=2020-04-17 |title=Seven Amazing Community Groups That Support Transgender People |url=https://www.poz.com/blog/seven-amazing-community-groups-support-transgender-people |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=POZ |language=en}}

Services

In 2021, Weber/RENEW began handing out harm reduction supplies in Kennedy Plaza.{{Cite web |title=Rhode Island community members turn to mutual aid, direct outreach during pandemic |url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2021/03/rhode-island-community-members-turn-to-mutual-aid-direct-outreach-during-pandemic |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Brown Daily Herald |language=en-US}} The organization runs two drop-in centers run by workers in recovery. One in Providence and another in Pawtucket.{{Cite web |last=Amaral |first=Brian |title=Paving a road to recovery in Rhode Island - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/16/metro/paving-road-recovery-rhode-island/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Judson |first=Abigail |date=29 September 2021 |title='Life-saving' Project Weber/RENEW opens new location in city |url=https://www.valleybreeze.com/townnews/politics/life-saving-project-weber-renew-opens-new-location-in-city/article_177c90ec-1f9b-11ec-be3e-db63f5786500.html |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=The Valley Breeze |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=ALISON BOLOGNA, NBC 10 |date=2022-06-29 |title=Project Weber Renew expands into Pawtucket to save lives |url=https://turnto10.com/news/war-on-opioids/pawtucket-rhode-island-opioid-crisis-fentanyl-test-strips-epidemic-narcan-project-weber-renew-drug-addiction- |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=WJAR |language=en}} Additionally, the organization runs a mobile outreach van in Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket.{{Cite web |last=Milkovits |first=Amanda |title=Van a donation in name of overdose victim |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2018/07/17/van-donation-in-name-of-overdose-victim/11506788007/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}

In partnership with the organization CODAC Behavioral Health, it intends to open an overdose prevention center at 349 Huntington Ave in Providence, a location currently occupied by CODAC.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-18 |title=Rhode Island's first safe consumption site for illegal drugs slated for early 2024 |url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/rhode-island-s-first-safe-consumption-site-for-illegal-drugs-slated-for-early-2024- |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=The Public's Radio |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=RI prepares to open first safe injection site amid onslaught of overdose deaths |url=https://www.wpri.com/target-12/ri-prepares-to-open-first-safe-injection-site-amid-onslaught-of-overdose-deaths/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=WPRI.com |language=en-US}} After the controversial announcement of the supervised consumption center's opening, some private donors terminated donations to CODAC.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-01 |title=R.I. plans for state's first supervised consumption site for illegal drugs proceeding cautiously |url=https://thepublicsradio.org/news/r-i-plans-for-state-s-first-supervised-consumption-site-for-illegal-drugs-proceeding-cautiously- |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=The Public's Radio |language=en}}

It is one of the largest distributors of Narcan in the state.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Brian Amaral Globe |title='Fentanyl is killing people. It's thinning the streets.' - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/02/metro/fentanyl-is-killing-people-its-thinning-streets/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Opioid overdose alert issued for 9 RI communities |url=https://www.wpri.com/health/opioid-overdose-alert-issued-for-9-ri-towns/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=WPRI.com |language=en-US |quote=Project Weber/RENEW is doing what they can, she said" "but there’s “not enough of anything.” said Colleen Daley Ndoye, executive director of the overdose prevention organization Project Weber/RENEW."}}

Work

= COVID-19 pandemic response =

In 2020 and 2021, Weber/RENEW was one of the only organizations in Rhode Island to continue in person harm reduction and outreach work, despite the risk of transmission at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the organization expanded services to meet clients' basic needs. Weber/RENEW also started distributing COVID masks and cleaning supplies, hosting vaccination clinics, and sharing educational information about COVID and vaccines.{{Cite web |last=allen |date=2022-08-30 |title=Building relationships and fighting for systemic change in Rhode Island |url=https://aidsunited.org/building-relationships-and-fighting-for-systemic-change-in-rhode-island/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=AIDS United |language=en-US}}

= Collaboration with schools =

In January 2022, Project Weber/ RENEW taught a Community Leadership in Nonviolence and Substance Use Prevention class for students at Blackstone Academy Charter School, in partnership with U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Rhode Island, and the Nonviolence Institute.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-26 |title=U.S. Attorney joins high school mentoring program for substance abuse and violence prevention |url=https://www.abc6.com/u-s-attorney-joins-high-school-mentoring-program-for-substance-abuse-and-violence-prevention/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=ABC6 |language=en-US}}

= Advocacy of supervised injection sites =

In July 2022, Rhode Island became the first state in America to legalize supervised drug consumption sites.{{Cite news |last=Weiland |first=Noah |date=2022-10-12 |title=As Overdoses Soar, Rhode Island Embraces a Daring Addiction Strategy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/rhode-island-overdoses.html |access-date=2023-02-06 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Solowski • • |first=Jason |title=Safe Consumption Sites Are Coming to New England This Year |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/safe-consumption-sites-are-coming-to-new-england-this-year/2616759/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=NBC Boston |date=20 January 2022 |language=en-US}}

In February 2024 the Providence City Council approved the establishment of the state's first supervised injection site, to be operated by Project Weber/RENEW and VICTA, a privately owned behavioral health organization. The site is to be located next to the campus of Rhode Island Hospital.{{cite web | last=Betts | first=Anna | title=Providence Approves First State-sanctioned Safe Injection Site in Rhode Island | website=The New York Times | date=2024-02-04 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/04/us/ri-opiod-safe-injection-site.html | access-date=2024-10-13}}

= Outreach in Kennedy Plaza =

Project Weber/RENEW focuses much of their outreach on the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) bus terminal, Kennedy Plaza. Kennedy Plaza has one of the highest rates of overdoses in Providence.{{Cite web |title=After an overdose in Kennedy Plaza, advocates fault police, RIPTA for not carrying naloxone |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/healthcare/2022/12/22/overdose-providence-ri-kennedy-plaza-no-narcan-naloxone-ripta/69748713007/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Advocates urge RIPTA to improve overdose response in Kennedy Plaza |url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2023/02/advocates-urge-ripta-to-improve-overdose-response-in-kennedy-plaza |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=The Brown Daily Herald |language=en-US}}

= Awarded grants =

In 2018, Miriam Hospital received a $2.5 million federal grant to partner with Project Weber/RENEW and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute to create Rhode Island's first substance use treatment program for gay and bisexual, Black and Latino men. In 2018, Project Weber/RENEW was awarded $10,000 from the Rhode Island Foundation for advocacy and training, as well as to connect high-risk transgender men and women with health and prevention services. {{Cite web |last=Borkowski |first=Rob |date=2018-09-20 |title=The Miriam Hospital gets $2.5M grant for substance abuse treatment for gay and bisexual black and Latino men |url=https://pbn.com/the-miriam-hospital-gets-2-5m-grant-for-substance-abuse-treatment-for-gay-and-bisexual-black-and-latino-men/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Providence Business News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=ChrisS |title=RI Foundation Awards $53,200 in Grants to 8 Nonprofits Serving LGBTQ Communities |url=https://www.golocalprov.com/news/ri-foundation-awards-53200-in-grants-to-8-nonprofits-serving-lgbtq-communit |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GoLocalProv |language=en}}

= PrideFest honor =

In June 2022, Project Weber/RENEW was named Grand Marshals for the return of PrideFest and the Illuminated Night Parade in Providence.{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Boston |title=RI Pride announces grand marshals, new parade route, festival location {{!}} Boston Spirit Magazine |date=26 May 2022 |url=https://bostonspiritmagazine.com/2022/05/state-sen-tiara-mack-project-weber-renew-grand-marshals-for-ri-pride/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |language=en-US}}