A Message from Dr. Vitka Eisen, President & CEO, HealthRIGHT 360
At HealthRIGHT 360, we are grounded in an unwavering belief: every person deserves access to care, dignity, and safety, regardless of income, immigration status, identity, or ability to pay. In recent weeks, these very principles have come under direct assault.
The escalation of immigration raids and rhetoric, the deployment of military forces in our neighborhoods, and the suspension of civil protections pose a serious threat to the health and safety of individuals, families, and entire communities. These actions are not making us safer. They are traumatizing, destabilizing, and designed to divide.
We are especially concerned about the ripple effects on our most vulnerable neighbors: those without stable housing, people who use drugs, people with chronic health conditions or disabilities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals – particularly trans people – and those who already experience daily marginalization. For those working on the streets, curfews and militarized environments hinder our ability to deliver care, prevent overdoses, and connect people to vital resources.
We also know that during times of instability and fear, the emotional and behavioral health impacts can be lasting, not only for those directly targeted, but also for those supporting them. Our clients and staff alike may be coping with heightened stress, trauma, and uncertainty. It is essential that we offer compassion, flexibility, and support in equal measure.
We recognize that these events impact people differently. Some among us are marching. Some are grieving. Some are afraid. And some are carrying on the essential day-to-day work of care, healing, and reducing harm. All of it matters. All of it is valid. And all of it is needed.
We also know this moment requires more than resistance; it calls for a long and sustained peaceful movement. One that links our work to broader efforts: human rights; labor equity; social, environmental, and economic justice; and the defense of public resources like healthcare, education, and housing.
At HealthRIGHT 360, we show up. Not just in crisis, but every single day. We provide services without question, judgment, or exclusion. We meet people where they are, on the streets, in clinics, in recovery, and in hope.
Crises demand not just courage, but care – care for those we serve, and care for each other. We remain committed to ensuring continuity of care and to supporting our staff as they navigate the emotional toll of this moment. We are proud to stand alongside our incredible staff, partners, and allies across the state. From veteran organizers and frontline workers to young people navigating a world of disinformation and censorship, we see the courage it takes to hold the line for equity and truth.
Even in these times of deep uncertainty, I believe in our collective power to build a future that is healthier, more just, and more humane. That work is already underway, and each of us is part of it.
Onward.