Should we go to the conference?  Would we be of help or hurt?  How could we be of help if we didn’t go?  Would it hurt if we didn’t go?  Would it be safe?  What does it mean for each of us to be in a beautiful place, with beautiful people, learning and growing while knowing others are suffering?  These are some of the questions our team decided to wrestle.  In keeping with our values to create community and an inclusive workplace, we decided to talk and make our decision (to go or not to go?) together.  We weighed the pros and cons of attending (and not attending) the conference.  We heard from friends living in Puerto Rico and spoke to many of our harm reduction partners before deciding that HRTC would attend.  

We arrived in the “Isla del Encanto” (the “Island of Enchantment”), as many people affectionately refer to Puerto Rico, to the warm greetings of the island’s climate and our shuttle driver.  Once settled, rested and registered, our team hit the ground running (and dancing and swimming)!  We attended workshops and plenaries, met new colleagues and reunited with familiar ones–many of them at our booth.  The team came together with Patt Denning and Jeannie Little, our founders, over dinner one night–a true highlight of the conference for many of us.  And, of course, we shared our knowledge and musings with other conference attendees.


Read the full article and Newsletter HERE