Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Georgina

Small conversations can make a lifesaving difference. This month, we’re celebrating Georgina, one of OD Free Marin’s dedicated volunteers, whose passion for public health and community connection helps bring overdose prevention resources to more people across Marin. Her story is a reminder that volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it’s about building connections, sharing knowledge, and empowering others to save lives. We hope Georgina’s experience inspires you to find your own way to get involved!

What inspired Georgina to get involved?

I was initially drawn to OD Free Marin because I wanted to make a tangible impact in public health, alongside a team that consistently advocates for greater accessibility, awareness and informed knowledge. Having previously been active in similar community-based overdose prevention efforts, ODFM presented an opportunity for me to continue that work closer to home. I actually first came across OD Free Marin through one of its newsletters online, which prompted me to reach out and learn more! After speaking with some of the wonderful people behind the organization and learning more about its mission, I felt an immediate connection to what the team was working toward and knew I wanted to be part of it.

The power of one conversation

For me, one of the most meaningful aspects of volunteering is helping bridge the gap between information and access. Topics of substance use and overdose can sometimes feel overwhelming or difficult to approach, but making them more accessible and relevant to our community is very important. One conversation in particular has always stayed with me: a woman once approached our outreach table and shared her experience learning how to administer naloxone. She had since taught her children, who had recently started college, how to use it, and just two months later, one of them had to administer naloxone to a peer at school. Hearing that story demonstrated just how far a single conversation can reach. What starts as a brief interaction at an outreach table can ultimately equip someone to save a life, and knowing that our work can have that kind of ripple effect is what motivates me the most!

Looking ahead: A community that looks out for one another

For the future of OD Free Marin, I see us expanding our outreach so that we reach as many people as we can in our community. I would love to see a Marin where community members feel both informed and empowered to intervene if someone is experiencing an overdose, and where individuals seeking assistance are met with compassion. ODFM has already done wonderful work in beginning to break down the stigma surrounding substance use, but there will always be more to do. I hope we can continue creating spaces where these conversations feel more natural, where people feel comfortable asking questions and learning without fear of judgment. Ultimately, I would love to see overdose prevention become something our entire community feels a shared responsibility for, rather than something we only think about when it directly affects us. I am very excited to watch ODFM continue to bring us together, with a shared responsibility to look out for one another!

Inspired to get involved?

Like Georgina, you can help make overdose prevention resources more accessible in Marin. Whether you’re interested in community outreach, distributing naloxone, or supporting events, there’s a place for you!

Explore OD Free Marin Volunteer Opportunities