Building Stronger Neighborhoods: Community Outreach in Dane County

A single conversation can make a difference—sometimes even save a life. Across Dane County, community outreach helps create those moments every day by connecting people to resources, support, and one another. Community outreach is an intentional, accessible approach to communication between organizations and the communities they hope to serve. Simply put, it extends services and resources beyond traditional office settings to build relationships and foster healthier communities. At Safe Communities, outreach is central to everything we do. We engage in it daily through peer support services and more structured efforts like community events, including Peers in the Park and International Overdose Awareness Day. Outreach also happens through our regular radio segments on La Movida, where we discuss topics such as firearm safety and impaired driving, as well as through everyday interactions—like conversations with neighbors during Munch Truck stops. We also offer trainings like Holding Space, which helps individuals feel more confident having conversations about suicide. To reach younger audiences, we implement Sources of Strength. These are just a few of the many ways we connect and build stronger neighborhoods throughout Madison and Dane County.

Community in Action

Supporting our community partners is a key part of our outreach. We participate in resource fairs and local events year-round, and as spring approaches, these opportunities continue to grow—making it an ideal time to highlight this work. Last year, we attended approximately 60 outreach events. At these events, we had countless conversations—some brief, others more in-depth—all centered on connection, safety, and support.

Our Impact in 2025

60+ community events
410+ boxes of Narcan (naloxone) distributed
130+ fentanyl and xylazine test strips provided
400+ medication lockboxes shared

These numbers represent hundreds of opportunities to prevent harm, support individuals, and strengthen our community.

Tools, Training, and Trust

We provide free naloxone (Narcan) and stigma-reduction trainings to help community members feel prepared to respond to an overdose. These trainings cover:

Basic information about opioids
How to recognize overdose symptoms
Steps to take in an emergency
Laws and procedures related to naloxone use
Self-care and local support resources

If you are interested in hosting a training for your group or organization, please contact lroe@safecommunities.org. Reducing stigma around substance use is another critical part of our work. Creating space for open, compassionate conversations helps lessen the harmful effects of stigma and supports healthier outcomes for individuals and communities. At its core, outreach is about meeting people where they are—building trust through genuine, human connection. While connecting individuals to services is one aspect, distributing resources directly in the community is just as important. Safe Communities provides:

Narcan (naloxone)
Fentanyl and xylazine test strips
Rescue breathing masks
Medication disposal tools (Deterra and DisposeRx)
Medication lockboxes
Gun locks

Programs That Bring People Together

One of our favorite initiatives is Peers in the Park, a monthly summer event that brings people together over a free cookout. These gatherings create space for connection and conversation with peer providers—individuals with lived experience who are trained to support others on their recovery journey. Whether someone is seeking resources, support, or simply a sense of community, Peers in the Park offers a welcoming place to start. This summer, Peers in the Park will be hosted in partnership with the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI), offering opportunities to connect with program staff and local law enforcement while fostering collaboration and understanding. Another annual event we host is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31. Held at Olbrich Park in Madison, this event includes a resource fair, free food and refreshments, mini Narcan trainings, and memorial activities. A short program and healing circle provide space for reflection, remembrance, and connection. IOAD is a global day of community action that honors lives lost while promoting evidence-based overdose prevention.

Get Involved

As the days grow longer and warmer, we’re ready to connect with even more members of our community. If you’re interested in being part of this work and helping build safer, stronger neighborhoods, we invite you to get involved. Sign up to volunteer at upcoming outreach events here: https://forms.gle/q9vboatr79KbxDB8A

Safe Communities August Newsletter

August 6, 2026
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Safe Communities 2026 Q2 Impact Report

July 9, 2026
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Safe Communities 2026 Q1 Impact Report

July 9, 2026
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Safe Communities July Newsletter

July 2, 2026
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News Release: Looming Crisis: Experts urge awareness and education for parents about e-bikes and e-scooters

June 29, 2026
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Let’s Make These the 100 Safest Days of Summer: Suicide Prevention

June 26, 2026
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Let’s Make These the 100 Safest Days of Summer: Falls Prevention

June 25, 2026
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Let’s Make These the 100 Safest Days of Summer: Drug Harm Reduction

June 24, 2026
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Let’s Make These the 100 Safest Days of Summer: Traffic Safety

June 23, 2026
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Safe Communities June Newsletter

June 4, 2026
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Building Stronger Neighborhoods: Community Outreach in Dane County