2025: August 9: Intro to Narcan® & Monroe Ave Ambassador Program

This program was organized with help from the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC). UMNA is a founding member of MARC.

• WHEN: Saturday, August 9th from Noon until 1:00 PM

• WHERE: O'Callaghan's Pub - 470 Monroe Avenue <MAP LINK>

• WHO: FREE and open to the public. No registration in advance. Just show up! This program is appropriate for adults and older teens (accompanied by a parent or guardian) who are interested in getting a better understanding of NARCAN use, the City of Rochester's new Ambassador Program and the related impacts on Monroe Avenue.

The program will consist of two parts:

1. An introduction to the use of Narcan®.

Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan®, is a safe medication that can save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. The medication is designed to counteract an overdose of opioids, such as heroin, prescription painkillers, and fentanyl, but it is safe to use even if opioids are not present. If you are worried you or someone you know may be at risk of an opioid overdose, naloxone is available to you. It is highly encourage that families or individuals who are being prescribed opioids are trained on how to administer Naloxone in the case of an emergency.

1. An introduction to the City of Rochester's Ambassador Program for Monroe Avenue.

The City of Rochester’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program (NAP) is a community-driven initiative designed to address the opioid crisis while fostering safer, cleaner, and more connected neighborhoods. Funded through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) opioid compensation funds, this one-year pilot program collaborates with local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to engage residents across the city’s four quadrants.

Through this program, Neighborhood Ambassadors are recruited, trained, and supported to serve as vital links between the community and the City. Ambassadors work on relationship building, resource referrals, anti-litter efforts, and opioid crisis interventions, including distributing naloxone (Narcan) kits. Each CBO facilitates public education on drug disposal, emergency response, and overdose prevention, while also providing wraparound services to ambassadors, including job training and health checkups.

The program will be presented by the organization hired to manage the Ambassador Program on Monroe Avenue, MC Collaborative.

Executive Director: Andy Carey Email: [e-mail]