Board of Directors
Jessica Smith (she/her), Board Chair
Jessica graduated from Humboldt State in May of 2018 with her Master’s in Public Sociology. After HACHR founder Brandie Wilson spoke in one of her classes, Jessica realized the ways in which she could personally relate to Harm Reduction because of her experience with intergenerational substance use. Jessica immediately saw the ways in which using Harm Reduction could not only prevent the spread of diseases and unnecessary loss of life, but also treat people who use drugs with the dignity, autonomy and respect they deserve. Jessica was the executive director at HACHR from 2019-2020, helping navigate the program through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured that services were considered essential and remained open. She currently works as the capacity building manager at National Harm Reduction Coalition, supporting new and existing harm reduction and syringe services programs in rural communities across the state. Jessica loves direct services, cats, roller derby, and summer days at the river.
Jarrett Nicholson (he/him)
Jarrett has served on the HACHR Board since 2020. Originally from San Francisco, his early years were shaped by the cultural vibrancy of the Bay Area alongside a deep and lasting connection to Northern California’s North Coast, where he has lived in several communities. With over 20 years of professional experience in community health, Jarrett has dedicated his career to advancing equitable access to care and supporting under-served populations. His work has been grounded in community-centered approaches that prioritize trust, dignity, and long-term well-being. While he spent much of his life in urban settings, the Redwood forests and rugged coastline of rural Northern California have remained central to his identity. From hiking the Lost Coast Trail to swimming in the Eel River and spending time along the region’s shores, these experiences fostered a profound appreciation for the natural environment and the communities rooted within it. Jarrett views stewardship of this region as both a responsibility and a privilege—one that requires honoring those who came before us while ensuring future generations can continue to experience its richness. His commitment to this stewardship is grounded in building strong, inclusive communities. For Jarrett, HACHR represents a vital space for connection—one that welcomes all people without judgment. He is deeply committed to the organization’s harm reduction philosophy, particularly its emphasis on meeting individuals where they are. He believes that investing in one another, and creating space for healing and collective growth, is essential to cultivating resilient, healthy communities.
Lasara Firefox Allen (they/them)
Lasara is a writer, Witch, activist, and gritty academic. Having grown up in the wilds of Mendocino County. They currently reside in Ukiah, CA, with/in the ancestral and contemporary lands of the Pomo people. Lasara is a Harm Reductionist from way back, having entered into harm reduction work in the shadow of the dawning AIDS epidemic. They are a sex worker advocate and decriminalization activist, having worked in the sex industry for decades. Lasara is a former Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction Executive Director. They also served as the HIV and HCV Testing to Treatment program coordinator. While ED, Lasara helped grow the Bright Heart MAT program into a robust programmatic element. Having hired diverse team members, they hold a strong focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Lasara holds a MSW and ASW and currently works in MAT at a harm-reduction based opioid treatment center in Ukiah. They are a Harm Reductionist, social justice activist, and co-conspirator for our collective liberation.
Ashlie Crews (she/her)
Ashlie is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who works in community health care as a therapist. She became involved with Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction in 2018, while in her graduate program with Ohio State University. During her internship she was amazed at the wonderful community that worked hard to deliver harm reductions services, and providing a safe, judgment free place of acceptance. Coming to understand that Harm Reduction provides daily ways to keep people safe allowed Ashlie to see what this could mean on a larger scope. Once Ashlie graduated with her Masters in Social Work, she wanted to continue on assisting HACHR and applied for the board. She is now in her second term and hopes to continue on in the future.
Jasmine Guerra (she/her)
Jasmine Guerra (MSW, ASW) is a harm reductionist and an abolitionist Social Worker. She worked as the Executive Director and other roles at HACHR for about six years, and continues to volunteer for the organization providing mentorship, case work, and employee support. Her current work as a Hospice Social worker involves building relationships with individuals who are at the end of their lives and their families, providing therapeutic emotional support, and navigating end-of-life planning in ways that highlight individuals’ autonomy and views them as experts of their own lives. Her theoretical framework is rooted in abolition, Feminist Theory, Narrative Therapy, Intersectionality and Liberatory Harm Reduction. Jasmine’s work is inspired by her family history, personal spiritual practices and the belief that everyone deserves rights to housing, bodily autonomy and liberation from oppressive systems. Jasmine is currently obtaining clinical hours towards licensure as an LCSW and plans to open a private therapy practice which centers harm reduction practice.
Rachel Denoncourt (they/them)
Hi! I’m Rachel, a graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt with a degree in Environmental Science and Management and a minor in Communications. Currently working for Open Door Community Health Centers, I first learned about HACHR when their mobile outreach team visited Open Door’s Member Services site. My curiosity about HACHR’s services led me to explore harm reduction practices in depth, revealing how closely aligned my values are with the organization’s programming. As a member of the On the Verge cohort in 2025, I expanded my understanding of substance use disorder prevention by co-creating a community event focused on prevention activities and health education for Humboldt County youth. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds, understanding their needs from their perspective, and providing support that addresses systemic barriers and prejudice is essential, especially during times of distress. Community building is crucial for fostering resilience and hope for a better future, and HACHR exemplifies what a supportive community can look like in Humboldt County, involving all members of our neighborhoods. I am excited to be a newer member of HACHR’s Board and look forward to contributing my ideas, time, and support to the organization <3