Mark Jenkins, a service connected disabled Veteran of the United States Air Force and Founder / Executive Director of the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA), formerly the Greater Hartford Harm Reduction Coalition (GHHRC). Mr. Jenkins has worked in the field of Harm Reduction and Public Health for the past twenty-four years, delivering innovative prevention/interventions to the most vulnerable members across the state of Connecticut. Mr. Jenkins started in the field as an AIDS Risk Reduction Outreach Worker (ARROW) for the Perception programs in Willimantic. In his subsequent work with Community Renewal Team (CRT) and the Hispanic Health Council he further cultivated progressive strategies for reaching and delivering services to our most difficult-to-reach populations.

Mr. Jenkins’s work in some of the most troubled neighborhoods in the state has given him a unique perspective of the history of drug trends, the dynamics of associated risks, and effective public health responses. Over a decade on the Staff at AIDS Project Hartford as a Drug Treatment Advocate providing HIV/HCV counseling and testing, syringe exchange, and other harm reduction services. Mr. Jenkins developed a service network of providers that continues to benefit both client and staff of the various providers alike. The breadth and depth of his connection with folks on the street and the service community has made Mark a well respected and widely known individual in this field. He has presented nationally and internationally about best practices for working with the drug using community.