At Stax.ai, our mission to build innovative technology is matched by our commitment to community. Since joining the team in March, I’ve been encouraged by the emphasis on service and connection beyond the workplace. When the opportunity arose to volunteer with the City of Phoenix to build naloxone kits, I saw not only a chance to give back, but a personal full-circle moment.

Prior to joining Stax.ai, I worked in harm reduction. Supporting people affected by substance use, this was not just a job, but a passion. Volunteering on this project allowed me to reconnect with that part of my journey, this time alongside my new peers at Stax.ai. It was a powerful reminder of how our professional paths can align with community impact in unexpected ways.

Naloxone kits, which contain medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, are essential tools in saving lives. These kits are distributed by the City of Phoenix to both unhoused populations and housed individuals, many of whom are impacted by drug use. While often associated with those living on the streets, nearly half of those who receive kits are members of housed communities. This underscores the reality that the opioid crisis affects people across all walks of life.

Our volunteer team met Melanie, Program Manager with the City of Phoenix, at the Burton Barr Central Library. She welcomed us with warmth and shared the profound impact these kits have in the field. Additionally Melanie trained us on how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose to most effectively use these kits. Inspired by her words, we worked side-by-side to assemble hundreds of kits, each one a symbol of a potential life saved. We all walked away with education and a deep sense of impact.

This experience reminded me that meaningful change happens when people come together with purpose. Building these kits not only gave us a chance to serve but also deepened our bonds as a team. I’m grateful to Stax.ai for fostering opportunities that nourish both our personal values and community responsibility.