Christopher Garrick

As a student intern at Prevention Point through Bridging the Gap, I have had the

opportunity and privilege to work alongside the case managers of the The Stabilization

Treatment and Engagement (STEP) Program. Through my conversation with one of the

facilitators, Petey, I got to learn more about his perspective about the atmosphere that

Prevention Point exuberates. When considering his presence at Prevention Point, he

detailed that a duality of change and repetition is present. He detailed how new

experiences and dilemmas occur each and every day when prioritizing the care of those

suffering from substance use disorder. However, he explained that within this change

one could expect to uncover future instances of that barrier repeatedly. Reflecting on my

experiences at Prevention Point, I have come to see how Petey’s words resonated with

my work on the STEP program so far.

When asking him if the environment has shifted significantly in the Kensington

neighborhood around Prevention Point, he detailed that a pivotal catalyst for change

was the enactment of gates at the SEPTA Somerset Station. Prior to these station

gates, he explained that the station used to be a centralized place where violence,

substance use, and other hazardous paraphernalia took refuge within its space.

However, once the gates were enacted, he detailed that these obstacles like substance

use and violence became more visible along the outskirts of the station. With this shift in

change, he explained that outreach initiatives like the STEP Program have become

even more critical in order to alleviate the disparities that the Kensington community

face.