Volunteers of the Week: Madi and Mitchell Schulze

End Overdose is made possible by hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly across the country. Some of them are training attendees at national festivals on how to respond to an overdose, while others are packing naloxone kits in our office well into the evening hours. We want to shine a light on the people whose efforts make our resources free and accessible to all, so we’re excited to share our Volunteers of the Week: Madi and Mitchell Schulze!

"In an effort to lead change in their community, Madi and Mitchell founded a chapter last year in Santa Barbara, and got married right in the middle of it all!" says Chapter & Operations Coordinator Olive Younts. "They haven’t slowed down since, continuing their work in overdose prevention and staying deeply committed to their community. Since their founding, they have begun establishing community trainings, and connections to build their presence!"

Can you tell us about yourself and your stories?

We’re Madi and Mitchell, a married couple from Santa Barbara. We’ve been together 12 years and have always cared about giving back. Volunteering together just feels like a natural way to stay connected to what matters to us. When we’re not working full-time, we try to show up for our community in whatever way we can.

What inspired you to volunteer for End Overdose?

The overdose crisis has affected us personally. We’ve lost friends and loved ones. End Overdose stood out because it’s about helping people without judgment, not just statistics. Learning that something as simple as carrying naloxone can save a life made us want to get involved. It just felt like the right thing to do.

How and when did you get involved?

We first got involved at Cali Vibes a few years ago when AJ was tabling. Losing people in our lives had been heavy that year, and we felt like volunteering for end overdose helped us answer the common question of “how can we be there for people who might be struggling or need assistance." Talking with AJ made it clear we wanted to be part of this community. Doing it together felt right, honoring those we lost while helping others.

What are your favorite memories of volunteering (together or separately) with End Overdose?

Our favorite moments are the ones where we get to actually connect with people. Such as training someone on naloxone for the first time, handing out kits, chatting, and just being there. Seeing how grateful people are is powerful. Doing it together makes it even more meaningful because we’re reminded why this work matters, and that every little thing we do could literally save a life.