Mobile wellness van hits the streets
After two years of planning, a mobile wellness van offering harm reduction services — such as prescriptions for medication to help with opioid withdrawal, needle exchanges, condoms and basic hygiene items — is finally hitting the road in Greenwich.
The tie-dye-colored van, inscribed with the words “Peace, Love and Liberation,” is run by Liberation Programs, a local addiction treatment organization. It offers services spanning Fairfield County and already operates a van in Stamford, Norwalk and Bridgeport.
“I’m so excited,” said Maggie Young, chief recovery officer for Liberation Programs. “This is really a win all around,”
The first van began operating about two years ago, with employees parking it in areas known for drug activity, homelessness and sex work. Occasionally, van staff will pull over and introduce themselves to people, offering condoms, overdose prevention kits, clean needles or medication for opiate disorders to anyone in need.
“This has been my fight ever since I’ve worked in Greenwich, just trying to get a footprint, just trying to bring some transparency to Liberation and to choose wellness,” Young said.
Leaders at Liberation Programs are reaching out in Greenwich to spread the word about the new mobile service. To start, the van will be stationed in a central part of town for at least one day per week with consistent hours, meeting people where they are and providing a stable and safe environment for individuals to return regularly for services.
“We’re not trying to say that everybody has a problem, but that some people do, and let’s talk about the services,” Young said.
Liberation Programs will hold a kickoff event from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 30 in front of Greenwich Town Hall, with the two Liberation Programs vans offering services, materials and other resources.
First Selectman Fred Camillo, Greenwich Human Services Commissioner Demetria Nelson, Liberation Programs CEO John Hamilton and others will be in attendance. They will likely be joined by representatives of the Greenwich Together Coalition, which is made up of more than 30 local stakeholders who support youth, parents and community partners in preventing substance misuse and promoting behavioral and mental health.
Who can use the mobile wellness van in town?
Everyone is welcome to use the van’s services — no referrals are needed, and insurance is not necessary. Individuals who need services can simply walk up to the wellness van and ask for what they need, including Narc an overdose prevention kits and snacks, said Young, who has been in recovery for 29 years.
Van leaders are putting together kits containing soap, toothpaste, water, washcloths and other items that a person needs to get through a day. The van will also provide resources to individuals who need additional services, along with links to providers in the area.
“They can come as many times as they want,” Young said. “Liberation Programs has a consistent schedule, so people know they can show up consistently, if they need.”
Where will the van be operating?
Starting Sept. 14, the van’s services will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday by a recovery coach and an advanced practice nurse, or APRN.
The van will be stationed at the Horseneck Lane parking lot at 2 Horseneck Lane off Exit 3 of Interstate 95.