lovelink
lovelink is a system designed for harm reduction centers that allows staff to adequately care for participants while maintaining their humanity and dignity.
this design is specifically designed for onpoint nyc, one of the first state-sanctioned overdose prevention centers in the united states.
ONPOINT NYC
onpoint nyc is a harm reduction center in new york city that provides services for marginalized populations facing substance abuse, including overdose prevention services, needle and syringe services, health and wellness programs, and basic amenities such as laundry, hot showers, warm meals. and coffee.
all of the components of lovelink directly reference onpoint nyc's logo, allowing onpoint to display their own branding while still maintaining a self-ornamentive nature.
WEARING METHODS
to maximize feelings of ownership and dignity, users are provided several different ways to display the lovelink on their bodies.
the multiple wearing methods are also able to cross gendered boundaries that might come with jewelry.
clip
bracelet
necklace
staff version - staff at the site are encouraged to wear a lovelink to dispell notions of supervisor vs. supervised
HOW IT WORKS
a participant receives a lovelink during their first onpoint nyc visit or if they misplaced their previous one.
when participants check in, one of their beads is replaced with a check-in bead. the other is kept for record.
when the participant reaches the front of the queue, the participant can be identified by staff to use the service.
when the participant leaves the space, they return their check-in bead to the front desk.
participants are asked to choose a color to identify themselves. this color is written on the record sheet.
when participants use a service, they string a bead that corresponds to it. (only includes basic amenities, as disclosing more significant details is an invasion of privacy)
the bead can be discarded at the service.
the participant can choose to wear their lovelink outside of the space to remind them of the support they can access.
RESEARCH
to ensure the sensitivity of the design was accurate and useful, i had some conversations with those who work closely with harm reduction and those affected by substance abuse.
v hoy - harm reductionist based in ottawa, washington
v, who worked closely with homeless individuals who were struggling with substance abuse, was keenly aware of the traumas and stigma associated with addiction, and the different ways to dispel notions of policing, surveillance and the healthcare system through design.
samantha corso - associate director of mental health, onpoint
samantha corso was able to describe an average day at onpoint; their spatial and design successes and their spatial and design shortfalls. it was incredibly important to hear the comprehensive systems that they have in place, and the struggles they face on a day-to-day basis.
SKETCHES
