For Andi Williams, Executive Director of Community in Crisis, their mission began around a kitchen table in 2014, driven by a troubling surge in overdose deaths among young people in the Somerset Hills. Now, a decade later, Community in Crisis—founded by Jody D’Agostini—has grown from a small group of volunteers and a grassroots initiative into a well-structured organization with a staff of 15, tackling the complex issues of substance use disorder.
The catalyst for their efforts was the alarming opioid crisis that had begun to claim lives in their community. "We were all mothers of teenagers and young adults," Williams said in a recent interview. "It was heartbreaking to see these young people dying, and we knew we had to do something."
The organization benefited from a task force established by former Governor Chris Christie, which provided a detailed 88-page report on grassroots approaches to tackling the epidemic. Utilizing this report, Williams and her colleagues gathered community stakeholders—including faith leaders, educators, and law enforcement—to formulate action plans.
In 2017, Community in Crisis secured funding and formally incorporated, marking a significant expansion of their efforts. Today, the organization focuses on two primary areas: prevention and recovery support. Their prevention efforts include raising awareness about the risks of opioids, educating parents and youth on substance use, and providing resources to schools and community groups. The organization also offers recovery support services, and emphasizes harm reduction strategies, including safe use practices and overdose prevention.
One of the key annual events supporting these initiatives is their gala, which raises funds for activities not covered by grants. "The gala helps us fund essential programs that aren't always supported by grant money," Williams explained. These funds may cover everything from snacks and crafts for youth programs to wellness kits for individuals with substance use disorder.
Williams envisions a future where substance use disorder is treated with the same compassion and urgency as other chronic diseases. "I'd like to see a world where there's no stigma attached to substance use disorder," she said. "We need to talk about it openly and support those affected."
Community in Crisis is offering upstream mental health programs for youth and promotes harm reduction practices. The organization is exploring new strategies to keep individuals safe until they are ready to seek treatment, such as distributing naloxone kits and providing educational materials on safe substance use practices.
As Williams reflects on the past decade, she remains hopeful about the impact of their work. "Every step forward is a step toward saving lives and supporting those in recovery," she said. "We’re committed to making a difference in our community and beyond."
Community in Crisis remains a crucial resource in the battle against substance use disorder, working tirelessly to bring hope and change to those affected by this challenging epidemic. Believing that connection is key to overcoming substance use disorder, they focus on uniting people through prevention efforts and recovery support.
For those interested in supporting the cause, Community in Crisis welcomes donations and offers various ways to contribute to their ongoing efforts.
For more information visit www.communityincrisis.org.