Dear Readers,
I’m thrilled to welcome you to the very first issue of The Frontline Voices! This newsletter serves as a platform to share updates, stories, and insights from Samad’s House as we continue our mission to empower women, prevent overdoses, foster a compassionate community of recovery and hope, and advocate for supportive care services, such as providing naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, and fentanyl test strips.
My own journey has been one of transformation—from addiction and incarceration to recovery and, in 2020, the founding of Samad’s House. Today, we are proud to be one of the Midwest’s leading sober living facilities and comprehensive harm reduction services for women. Our compassionate care and safe practice services are lifelines, helping women make safer choices, rebuild their lives, and achieve lasting sobriety if that is their desire.
At Samad’s House, we are deeply committed to stopping overdose deaths. Through our services, we empower women to restore family relationships, manage their sobriety, and reintegrate into society with dignity and strength.
October: A Month of Milestones
This October, we are blessed with exciting events and opportunities to further our mission:
- PBS Documentary Premiere: Coming Home
PBS’s Independent Lens has released a documentary about my life journey, titled Coming Home. This powerful film highlights the challenges and triumphs that led to the creation of Samad’s House.
To celebrate, we’re hosting a special fundraiser and private screening of Coming Home on October 23. event will feature:
- A screening of the documentary
- Dinner and a silent auction
- A panel discussion with me, my daughter Samia Harris, director/producer Joanna Rudnick, and Dennis Radcliffe, a harm reduction advocate from Dane County, who worked for Wisconsin’s Department of Human Services.
This event is dedicated to supporting women in recovery and advancing compassionate care provided through harm reduction initiatives. Silent Auction Highlights:
- A Green Bay Packers football autographed by the 2025 team
- Gifts from Arteryink, including custom greeting cards, prints, and apparel
- Contributions from Audrey Allen (Personal Trainer), the Wisconsin Athletic Club, Hyatt Resorts and Hotels, the Capital Grille Steakhouse, and Honey Bee Sage Wellness & Apothecary Cafe.
We are still accepting auction items! If you’d like to contribute, please contact Kristen Nicholson at knicholsonlpc@gmail.com or call 414-940-7141.
A heartfelt thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Bader Philanthropies, and the Brewers Community Foundation for their generous support.
- New Website Launch
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website: www.samadshouse.org. This platform is a hub for education, advocacy, and action. It highlights our harm reduction efforts, shares success stories, and underscores the importance of equitable funding for recovery programs.
We invite you to explore the site, learn more about our work, and see how Samad’s House is making a difference in the lives of women, families, and communities.
- Podcast Launch: Voices of the Front Lines
I’m proud to announce the launch of our new podcast, Voices of the Front Lines. This series dives into the overdose crisis in Milwaukee, particularly within Black communities, and explores how compassionate harm reduction strategies are saving lives. Stay tuned for powerful conversations and actionable insights. The podcast will soon be available on our website and on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
Join Us in Making a Difference
This month is a testament to the power of community and the impact we can have when we come together. Whether you attend our fundraiser, explore our new website, or tune into our podcast, your support helps us continue our life-saving work.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can empower women, prevent overdoses, and build a brighter future.
See you next month in The Frontline Voices!
With gratitude,
Tahira Malik
Founder, Samad’s House
