Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County

Values/Mission 

The Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County was founded on abolitionist, anti-racist, non-hierarchical values, and built to overcome the structural violence that keeps drug users in isolation and with a lack of access to basic resources. We are centered around the leadership of people who use drugs, with the majority of our board and staff having lived experience. 

Materially opposing the war on drugs, mitigating the trauma caused by the war on drugs, and advocating for the rights of those harmed by this particular war is central to our work, and always will be. We are dedicated to providing services to people who use drugs, sex workers, and people experiencing homelessness, because we believe everyone should have the right to housing, a safe supply, and compassionate, low-barrier, evidence-based care. 

To these purposes, HRCSCC operates a needs-based Syringe Service Program, with our workers on the frontline in preventing and responding to COVID-19, HIV, and HCV. 

Our Staffing Structure

HRCSCC values worker’s autonomy and control in one's own workplace. Being founded on non-hierarchical values means our staff structure is designed to address the inequities found in most workplaces and to provide real democratic control for our workers over their jobs. There is no single executive staff member, no single person with the power to hire and fire, and no single person directing all work within the organization. 

All decisions made regarding staff (e.g. hiring, work direction, firing, etc) are made by a vote of all staff members. While there is no single “boss” giving directions, we as a collective attempt to provide as much direction and support to each other as possible, and take onboarding and training of new staff very seriously.

We also maintain wage parity for all positions, meaning that all staff are paid the same functional hourly wage. Our positions are salaried, so full-time staff make a specific salary and half-time staff make exactly half of that, because the functional ‘hourly wage’ is the same, the only difference is hours worked. Sick Time and Paid Time Off are also distributed in the same way.