Conversations with Jessica Breemen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Breemen.

Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In middle school, I wanted to be a bartender on a cruise ship, in high school a car mechanic, then in college I had dreams of becoming a criminal defense attorney, with special interests in the Innocence Project, defending those being persecuted for drug crimes, and harm reduction. My plans shifted when I was offered a rare opportunity to be mentored in bankruptcy law by a semi-retired attorney, an inspirational woman, while completing my undergraduate degree. I said yes. From 2006 – 2013 (spanning the Great Recession), I excelled as an independent bankruptcy paralegal advocating for Fresh Starts under the U.S Bankruptcy Code for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 clients and their attorneys. I eventually founded Pleiades Paralegal Group in Chicago, IL. I have always believed bankruptcy to be a healing law, and through it I truly internalized the value of driving impact by influencing the social determinants of health on the entire micro-to-macro spectrum. I made the decision to pivot away from law school and instead dive into the expansive versatile opportunities that social work offered. This shift was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

After retiring from bankruptcy practice in 2013, my intersecting efforts have specialized in social entrepreneurship, organizational culture and health, criminal justice and drug policy reform, full spectrum harm/risk reduction, benefit maximization, and integrative drug-assisted care. Some of the highlights of my work includes: Community nonprofits that build efficacy and self-sustainability with folx experiencing diverse personal and familial crises; financial and operations administration at the University of Chicago’s world-class research center; moving, shaking, and coaching in the tech industry as a Scrum Master for product development teams; senior project leadership for a social justice non-profit dedicated to incubating and supporting social ventures focused on cultural narrative change, equity, digital media, and progressive civic engagement with vulnerable, low income, and communities of color; serving as a course assistant and in various faculty roles for ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy practice training programs; and co-founding Grapefruit Collective, LLC with Kristin Karas (DanceSafe’s Chief Operating Officer) offering immersive leadership and scalable organizational health consulting services.

My journey with DanceSafe began during my 2017-2018 school year with an MSW field placement (but really as a supporter with lived experience since her early teenage years). We hit it off really well and I was invited to serve on the Board of Directors in January 2019. In October of 2021, I transitioned off the Board to join as staff on the Executive Team supporting DanceSafe to fulfill its purpose through capacity building, organizational health and design, digital strategy, innovation, growth, and sustainability.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have spent the past 25 years experimenting. Alot. Taking risks, getting out of my comfort zone, never settling. So much energy has been dedicated to navigating and learning what I don’t want to gain the wisdom of understanding what I really do. It certainly wasn’t linear, nor easy, and it felt like I was starting over many times, but looking back I see the path I was carving out for myself. Being open and responding to change instead of following a stringent plan has been a cornerstone to my attitude in life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
DanceSafe was founded in 1998 in San Francisco, CA, DanceSafe emerged from a recognized need within the rave community for better access to drug checking and drug education. Since its inception, DanceSafe has been at the forefront of harm reduction efforts within the electronic music and nightlife communities.

Today, our mission has expanded to promote health, safety, and fulfilling experiences for people who use drugs and their communities. We believe in harm reduction as a pragmatic approach to reducing the risks and enhancing the benefits associated with drug use and other health behaviors, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Central to our work are our values of authenticity, cultivating community, curiosity, collaborative service, and popular education. These values coupled with our principles guide everything we do, from our outreach efforts to our organizational culture. This is the most important factor behind the success of our brand. DanceSafe leverages over 25 years of experience and remains a trusted leader in harm reduction:

– Comprehensive harm reduction education: Delivering evidence-based information, training volunteers, and providing resources like test kits to reduce risks

– Community engagement: Building trust through a peer-to-peer approach and fostering community-led responses.

– Event Presence: Offering on-site harm reduction services

– Advocacy and collaboration: Partnering with public health organizations, policy makers, and other social justice movements to advocate for equitable drug policies and practices

– Scalable infrastructure: A network of trained volunteers, digital outreach tools, and established operational protocols to expand our impact.

What I am most excited for is that DanceSafe is finally out of its awkward teenage years. While DanceSafe has existed for almost 27 year years, we are very much a developing organization. In recent years, DanceSafe has been undergoing deep and transformative growth focused on establishing critical administrative infrastructure (e.g. budget and financial systems, human resources, technology, etc.), revamping our outreach systems and processes, creating sustainable and scalable harm reduction distribution practices, implementing a brand refresh, and navigating the ever growing demand for our services. In the years to come, we intend to continue investing in the foundational infrastructure of our organization, diversify our revenue streams, and expand the reach and scope of our communities, programs, and services.

If you don’t know DanceSafe, you will soon! Stay tuned!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Pretty please visit us at DanceSafe.org, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on socials!

Learn about our amazing chapter and volunteering opportunities here: https://dancesafe.org/volunteer/.

If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to support our mission instead of a purchase: click “Donate” in link in bio or head to dancesafe.org/donate .

Finally, support our mission by purchasing harm reduction supplies for you and others! When you make a purchase at DanceSafe, you’re doing more than just buying drug checking kits, supplies, literature, or swag. Proceeds help us provide free, peer-based health education and safety services – including free drug checking – online and at events across the country.

Your purchase is more than a transaction—it’s a meaningful contribution that fuels our mission to promote health, safety, and fulfilling experiences for people who use drugs and their communities. Thank you for supporting our mission – we couldn’t do this without you!

DanceSafe is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law (Tax ID# 94-3365608). To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record for your taxes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dancesafe.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancesafe_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancesafe
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dancesafe/
• Twitter: https://x.com/dancesafe

Image Credits
Headshot by Taylord-photo.com and all other photos by Josh Terry from www.favorly.agency