Marilyn Reyes, born and raised in The Bronx, is a mother, grandmother, activist, public health worker, HARM REDUCTIONIST, STILL IN THE PURSUIT FOR EQUALITY /JUSTICE FOR ALL, and so much more.. “ALL I DO IS IN LOVE” is her mantra. Fueled by her experiences and her desire to improve job prospects for people coming home from incarceration, Marilyn has worked for Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY), and a Board member since 2021 a statewide grassroots membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness in order to create healthy and just communities. She served as a Peer Educator with New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE), a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of marginalized, low-income persons who use drugs or engage in sex work, their loved ones, and their communities. Marilyn is also Co-Director for the Peer Network of New York (PNNY) and a member of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Marilyn's work uplifts her own experiences but also the experiences of so many women who have had their lives upended by the failed war on drugs and mass incarceration. Since 2018, Marilyn has also worked as a Wellness Advocate with the Relay Initiative, providing peer support services in NYC Emergency Departments for participants after they experience a non-fatal overdose. From it’s inception, punitive drug laws have served as a tool of oppression. They aggressively target people of color and people experiencing poverty. Understanding the history of the drug war is crucial in understanding its ongoing impact. On March 17, 2024, Marilyn was sworn into the nationalist party, to fight for Puerto Rican libre. Contact her at: https://www.peernetworkofnewyork.org -Creator/Host: Ozzie Stewart - onthecallpodcast.com -Guest: Marilyn Reyes - https://www.vocal-ny.org/ -Exec. Producer - Ozzie Stewart @otc_podcast20 -Camera: "Cheeze" -Graphics Design: Kevin Tinsley -Editor/Music: Cheese Slice Films @cheeseslicefilms -Painting by: Betty Leigh -Website: James Bailey #otc #onthecallpodcast #podcaster #podcast #ozzie #host #service #shininglight #mother #grandmother #activist #publichealth #health #healthworker #boardmember #grassroots #membership #organization #lowincome #HIV #AIDS #incarceration #homelessness #community #syringe #drugs #wellness #advocacy #recovery #addictionrecovery #poverty #drugwar #love #sexualassault #abuse #rape #prison #faith #nonprofit @SpotifyforPodcasters