RIZE Massachusetts awards $300,000 in grants to help nonprofits fighting opioid epidemic during COVID-19 pandemic

RIZE News

May 5, 2020

RIZE Massachusetts Foundation, an independent nonprofit foundation working to end the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts, announced today that it has awarded $300,000 in grants to support Boston nonprofits working with vulnerable populations that are stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The grants are made possible by a collaboration between RIZE Massachusetts and the Boston Resiliency Fund.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges for people in recovery and the frontline staff that supports them daily,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.  “This joint investment from the City of Boston and RIZE Massachusetts Foundation will allow us to directly help residential recovery programs support their frontline staff, as well as aid individuals still struggling on the street by promoting hygiene and connection to harm reduction and recovery services while promoting physical distancing.”

Grants totaling $285,000 are being awarded to local residential treatment providers that have faced financial strain as they continue to provide services to Boston’s most vulnerable individuals living with substance use disorder.  Many of the grantees are using the funds to support staff, develop IT infrastructure to pivot to telehealth services and increase sanitation measures.  The grants range from $15,000 to $25,000 and are based on the size of the provider.

“We cannot forget that there are thousands of individuals struggling with opioid use disorder that need our help during the coronavirus crisis,” said Julie Burns, President and CEO of RIZE Massachusetts Foundation.  “I want to thank Mayor Walsh and all of our city government and community partners who are stepping up to lend a voice to the voiceless and work to support people with opioid use disorder.”

RIZE is distributing grants to the following providers serving neighborhoods across the city:

  • Boston Public Health Commission (for programs in Mattapan)
  • Casa Esperanza, Inc. (Roxbury)
  • The Dimock Center (Roxbury)
  • The Gavin Foundation (Charlestown, South Boston and Dorchester)
  • Granada House (Allston-Brighton)
  • Hope House (Roxbury)
  • Interim House (Dorchester)
  • Middlesex Human Services Agency, Inc. (South Boston and Jamaica Plain)
  • North Suffolk Mental Health Association – Meridian House (East Boston)
  • Phoenix House (Dorchester)
  • Rehabilitation and Health, Inc. (East Boston)
  • Victory Programs (Roxbury, Dorchester, South End and Jamaica Plain)
  • Volunteers of America of Massachusetts (South End, Dorchester and Jamaica Plain)

“RIZE’s continued focus on the needs of people in recovery – and support for staff working alongside them – is so meaningful during this challenging time,” said Sarah Porter, Executive Director of Victory Programs.  “Even through the stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic, the primary focus of so many individuals we work with continues to be recovery and stability – it’s impressive.  RIZE’s funding will help Victory Programs with increased costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring that those accessing services in these programs remain safe and well while seeking treatment.”

RIZE is also committing $20,000 to support city and community partner efforts to create designated comfort stations at three locations in the city.  These sites are intended to provide access to handwashing stations and restrooms that meet social distancing guidelines.  The comfort stations are located at 794 Massachusetts Ave., 1 Proctor St. and 120 Southampton St.

PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative), a RIZE community partner, will receive funds to support the Boston Police Department Street Outreach Team and provide harm reduction services at the comfort stations and connect people to treatment.

“COVID-19 has taken an unfair toll on people of color and requires us to be steadfast in our mission to foster recovery and empowerment,” said Emily Stewart, CEO of Casa Esperanza.  “These funds will help us continue our mission through investments in technology and improving internet connectivity to expand access to our telehealth platform and promote social distancing.  We are so grateful for RIZE’s leadership in supporting community-based addiction treatment providers like Casa and, most importantly, empowering people struggling with addiction to sustain vital connections to recovery – now, when they need them most.”

These awards are in addition to the over $200,000 in rapid response grants RIZE distributed in March to nonprofits across Massachusetts facing challenges stemming from the pandemic.

To support RIZE’s efforts to fund the community-based organizations providing care, services and resources to people with opioid use disorder under extremely challenging circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters, contributions can be made here.

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Position Summary

The Massachusetts Harm Reduction Workforce Coalition (MAHRWC), established in 2024, is a statewide organization designed to strengthen, connect, and sustain the harm reduction workforce across Massachusetts through community, training, mutual support, and collective action.

The first of its kind in Massachusetts, MAHRWC continues to grow its network of harm reduction workers, advocates, and partners committed to saving lives and advancing justice across the Commonwealth.

The project coordinator will be fully dedicated to MAHRWC, providing day-to-day support for coalition operations, communications, and member engagement. This role helps ensure coalition activities run smoothly by:

  • Managing administrative systems and internal coordination.
  • Coordinating meetings, events, agendas, and follow-up materials.
  • Supporting data tracking, reporting, and documentation.
  • Serving as a key point of contact for members, partners, and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, committed to public health and harm reduction principles, and comfortable working with diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations, healthcare providers, policymakers, and people with lived and living experience.

 

Key Responsibilities

1. Administrative & Operational Support

  • Manage coalition calendars, schedules, and meeting logistics.
  • Coordinate virtual and in-person meetings, including agenda preparation and note-taking. This includes the coalition advisory board's regular bimonthly meetings.
  • Maintain shared drives, databases, and internal documentation systems (Google Suite, Zoom, Constant Contact).
  • Support the executive director with activities related to contract and grant reporting.
  • Provide logistical support for trainings, conferences, and coalition events.

2. Communications & Member Engagement

  • Serve as the first point of contact for coalition inquiries.
  • Maintain membership lists and distribution groups.
  • Draft and distribute newsletters, meeting summaries, and updates.
  • Support social media and website updates (if applicable) alongside other staff and consultants.
  • Assist in preparing reports, briefs, and presentations.

3. Data & Reporting Support

  • Track coalition activities, deliverables, and metrics.
  • Assist with grant reporting and compliance documentation.
  • Compile and organize workforce data and partner updates.

4. Event & Training Coordination

  • Coordinate registration and materials for workforce training along with the training coordinator.
  • Support the training coordinator with speaker communication and event logistics.
  • Gather participant feedback and evaluation data.

 

Qualifications

Required

  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and virtual meeting platforms
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

  • Experience in public health, behavioral health, or harm reduction
  • Familiarity with workforce development initiatives
  • Experience supporting coalitions or multi-partner collaborations
  • Experience working with communities disproportionately impacted by substance use and overdose

Core Competencies

  • Commitment to harm reduction philosophy and health equity
  • Cultural humility and trauma-informed approach
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative mindset
  • High level of discretion and professionalism

 

Work Environment

RIZE Massachusetts Foundation (RIZE), launched in 2017, is the only public-private partnership dedicated to ending the overdose crisis. Guided by those with lived experience and unafraid of new ideas, RIZE is building networks, creating programming, and supporting community partners using novel approaches to preventing overdose and increasing access to treatment. Since its inception, RIZE has awarded over $30 million to more than 275 organizations aligned with its mission.

As MAHRWC’s fiscal partner, RIZE provides financial and administrative support while respecting the group's autonomy and self-determination and supports the coalition’s efforts to dismantle systemic inequities and help build a future where compassion, dignity, and support replace stigma and neglect.

This position reports to RIZE’s chief program officer and works closely with the chief executive officer. It is a full-time, hybrid role with the expectation of two days in the office. RIZE is in downtown Boston, and occasional travel, primarily in-state, will be required for meetings and events as needed. This role may require evening and occasional weekend work.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, or other status protected under the law.

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