Karmik relies on financial donations and volunteers in order to provide our services to the community
If you want to stay tuned with Karmik then use these links to stay in the loop.
Munroe Craig is the owner and Outreach Director of Karmik and holds a Bachelors in Health Sciences with a Major in Addictions, as well as a substance use counselor diploma. She is an addiction counselor by trade and operates from a philosophy of harm reduction in all aspects of her profession. Her client focus is street entrenched, highly resistant youth & those with concurrent disorders. She has been a substance use counselor (in day programs and custody settings); youth worker in multiple agencies located in downtown Vancouver; an outreach worker in the Downtown EastSide; and more. Currently, she is employed by the Potluck Society in the Downtown EastSide, supporting employees of social enterprises. Operating from a specialty in expressive and creative therapies, she is an active artist. Munroe's personal experience growing up in the electronic music and festival community solidified her views on harm reduction and alternative healing capacities, setting in place the foundation for Karmik to evolve.
Alex Betsos is the Volunteer Coordinator for Karmik, and is involved with organizing and running the volunteer training as well as coordinating volunteers and staff for events. Alex is sociology and anthropology honours student at Simon Fraser University with an interest in deviance, care, and the body. Growing up in Toronto, where the TRIP Project facilitates safer partying, Alex wondered how he might be able to implement safer nightlife practices in Vancouver. After going through TRIP Project’s training process with the desire of bringing something similar to Vancouver through Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP), Alex coordinated with previous CSSDP-SFU Vice President Margaret Yu to try and establish a project similar in scope to what the TRIP Project offered in Vancouver. Alex is also the former Personnel Liaison for the CSSDP National Board, and has attended conferences on their behalf including: Reform Conference, SSDP’s National Conference (where he participated in a panel on ethical drug consumption), and participated in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on narcotic drugs as a member of one of the civil societies. He currently sits on CSSDP’s board as a Strategic Advisor.
Cameron Schwartz is the administrative coordinator for Karmik and is passionate and committed to the harm reduction cause in the nightlife and electronic dance scene. He is currently working in a fungal research lab, contributing to projects such as the analysis of samples in association with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre (BCDPIC) and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). After getting involved with Karmik as a volunteer, he was inspired to pursue a greater role in the harm reduction community, and has since become one of Karmik’s coordinators.
Gareth is an SFU Communications/Political Science graduate as well as a nightlife promoter, DJ, and ethical marketer. In 2013 he founded Wetcoast Music Inc. and has thrown over 70 events in Vancouver Nightclubs, Lounges, and Warehouses. His personal experience in the nightlife community made him aware of the need for harm reduction on-site at events and educating the younger generations on safer party practises and consent culture. Gareth is also an advocate for more sensible drug policy in all levels of government so that substance abuse is treated as an illness rather than a crim. His duties with Karmik include Social Media, Public Relations, Website & Graphic Design as well as providing support at events and safe spaces.
Amy Cotton is the Development Coordinator for Karmik. Amy has over ten years of experience working with not-for-profit programs, charities, and community services with an emphasis on fundraising and communications strategies, youth programming, harm reduction, and event management. She is a Member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and currently works as a Board Member and Membership Services Coordinator at The Beaumont Studios Artist Society. She is trained in non-violent communication and crisis intervention strategies. Her secondary passions are in the areas of art, fashion, music and dancing.
Interested in helping people in a Nightlife or Festival Setting while also getting into awesome events for free? Then apply to volunteer with Karmik!
Karmik volunteers are fundamental to our organization, especially when it comes to live events. Volunteers play an important role in engaging event attendees, providing information about safer partying and providing peer support during difficult or traumatic situations. In order to volunteer with Karmik, attendance of training sessions is required to confidently handle situations while on shift.
Training sessions are generally offered 3 times per year, and consist of several workshops, totaling about 20 hours. Though previous experience with first aid and harm reduction is an asset, it is not required, and we are happy to train anyone that is enthusiastic about our cause.
There are some great reasons to become a volunteer with Karmik
- Participation and free entry to cool events and festivals
- Meet likeminded people and have fun
- Training is free!
This position requires that you have completed our 5 week, 6 session training program that prepares you for working at Karmiks Safe Spaces/tables at festivals or nightlife events. Although our next training will be in the Fall of 2016 We still encourage you to CLICK HERE to download the volunteer application because slots usually fill up quickly.
Please fill it out and send it to our Volunteer Coordinator via Alex@Karmik.ca
Our Communications Director is looking for someone to help with the day-to-day communication duties that Karmik has. You would be expected to work 10-15 hours a week on tasks such Social Media Management, Copywriting, and Graphic Design. No experience is required but is an asset. This is an unpaid position but you will be working under an experienced Marketing Professional so you will gain lots of practical experience & Karmik looks good on the resume.
If you are interested please do not hesitate to contact the Communications Director via Gareth@Karmik.ca
If you feel like you can contribute in some other way then feel free to fill out an application HERE and tell us how you may be able to help us in some other capacity.
Karmik is a west coast Harm Reduction organization which provides pragmatic harm reduction services to festivals and nightlife events across British Columbia. Based in Vancouver, BC, we advocate for evidence-based drug policy and community engagement through research, training programs, and public education.
We acknowledge the aspects of party culture that are inherently hazardous so Karmik’s trained Harm Reduction workers provide peer support with a non-judgemental perspective. We do not condemn or condone, and we support rather than punish.. We provide open and honest education about issues such as drug safety, anti-oppression, and sexual health in a way that is accessible, professional, and fun.
If you have any general inquiries please CONTACT US HERE.
Any media inquiries can be sent directly to Gareth@Karmik.ca
We also encourage you to check our RESOURCES section to learn more about us and how we can provide you with Harm Reduction Services, Education, and Expertise.