Concurrent 2E: Worker Wellness During Times of Crisis
Tracks
Track 5
| Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Discussion Space |
Details
People who work with people who use drugs are often on the frontlines of crises, including pandemics, funding cuts, overdose and housing crises, war, and much more. Constantly responding to crises takes a toll, particularly for people with lived and living experience, but workers are often expected to “practice self care” and navigate the impacts of trauma alone. This session will outline the needs of frontline workers responding to crises and explore strategies for organizations to care for workers and prevent burnout. Relationship building is at the core of working with people who use drugs, and long term retention of workers allows trust to be established, improves care outcomes, and keeps vital historical knowledge in the field
Speaker
Ms Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
Worker Wellness During Times of Crisis
Biography
Sarah Whipple is a Co-Director of the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, an organizer for the Sacramento Sex Workers Outreach Project, a board member of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, and a Steering Committee member of the California Syringe Exchange Programs Network. She received a 2024 Jude Byrne Award.
Ms Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
Introduction
4:00 PM - 4:05 PMBiography
Sarah Whipple is a Co-Director of the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, an organizer for the Sacramento Sex Workers Outreach Project, a board member of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, and a Steering Committee member of the California Syringe Exchange Programs Network. She received a 2024 Jude Byrne Award.
Ms Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
Panel Discussion
4:05 PM - 4:50 PMBiography
Sarah Whipple is a Co-Director of the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, an organizer for the Sacramento Sex Workers Outreach Project, a board member of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, and a Steering Committee member of the California Syringe Exchange Programs Network. She received a 2024 Jude Byrne Award.
Mr. Anton Basenko
Executive Director
International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD)
Panel discussion
4:05 PM - 4:50 PMBiography
Based in Brussels now, but formerly from Kyiv, Ukraine. Master’s degree in international economy. Globally known activist of the community of people who use drugs and OST patients, people living with HIV and lived experience with HCV. Since 2010 started his work in HIV and TB-service, Harm Reduction and advocacy field in local and national NGOs in Ukraine. Since 2013 worked for international Alliance for Public Health, coordinating international and national projects of HIV, TB, viral hepatitis prevention and treatment among key populations as well as advising on Communities, Rights and Gender issues. Author of different articles, guidelines and publications for communities and professionals. Founder of PUD.UA/VOLNa. Formerly Board member of INPUD and EKPC. Member of the Communities Delegation of the Global Fund Board and CCM of Ukraine. Since 2021 he is a Programme Manager on Quality of Life in EATG team. Community Manager at the European Federation of Allergies and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) in 2023-2024. Since 2025 is an Executive Director of the International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD).
Ms Violet Maodi
Community Linkage Officer
Sanpud
Panel discussion
4:05 PM - 4:50 PMBiography
Violet works for SANPUD as a Community Linkage Officer with a focus on Women Who Use Drugs. She has been in the harm reduction space for the past eight (8) years and has been actively working with Women Who Use Drugs to elevate their voice and know their worth.
INHSU 2025
Q&A
5:10 PM - 5:25 PMBiography
Sir Saidi Bandawe
Executive Secretary
(Gift of Hope) TaNPUD Tanzania
Panel discussion
4:05 PM - 4:50 PMBiography
Saidi John Bandawe Executive Secretary | Community Advocate | Peer Support Professional. I am the Executive Secretary at Gift Of Hope Foundation, where I lead strategic initiatives focused on community empowerment, prevention education, and Harm Reduction. As a representative of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) under TaNPUD, I actively engage in advocacy and policy dialogues that promote harm reduction and support marginalized communities
Ms Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
Facilitated discussion with audience
4:50 PM - 5:10 PMBiography
Sarah Whipple is a Co-Director of the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, an organizer for the Sacramento Sex Workers Outreach Project, a board member of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, and a Steering Committee member of the California Syringe Exchange Programs Network. She received a 2024 Jude Byrne Award.
Ms Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
Closing
5:25 PM - 5:30 PMBiography
Sarah Whipple is a Co-Director of the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, an organizer for the Sacramento Sex Workers Outreach Project, a board member of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, and a Steering Committee member of the California Syringe Exchange Programs Network. She received a 2024 Jude Byrne Award.
Chairperson
Sarah Whipple
Community Engagement Co-Director
Yuba Harm Reduction Collective
