Rave Safe Inc
Providing Harm Reduction Supplies and Resources to the EDM Community
Rave Safe, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, educational information and resources where you need them the most. Our tables provide an array of items meant to keep you and your family safe. And to lower the risks and stigma associated with our EDM community.
Who We Are
Our founder, Andi Thomason, saw the need for easier access to harm reduction supplies after attending her first festival in September, 2023.
By starting with providing Narcan at events, the need quickly grew and word spread within the local Kansas City EDM scene that free Narcan was being handed out at local events. With the help of local organizations, Rave Safe, Inc was able to start providing Fentanyl test strips as well.
Currently Rave Safe, Inc is able to provide Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, and various other supplies to multiple venues in Kansas City and St Louis.
We are excited to announce our expansion to St Louis! Follow our social media to keep up with our progress!
Our goal is to get Narcan and Fentanyl test strips in the hands of as many people as possible and to prevent the unnecessary overdoses that have plagued our community.
As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on people like you to help us with our continued efforts to make harm reduction accessible for all!
Upcoming Events
Get Involved
Learn How You Can Help
It is absolutely true that giving back and being a part of Rave Safe Inc’s work will not only improve the lives of so many but bring you a sense of unparalleled satisfaction. Making the EDM community a better and safer place starts with small steps that evolve into profound transformation. But we can't do it without you! Each donation goes towards our overhead costs and helps us continue to provide the "extras" you see at our tables! Consider helping out our cause today!
Volunteers of the Month
Every month we feature a volunteer who has gone above and beyond within the organization from each city!
Kansas City
MEET KANSAS CITY’S VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Shane Dennis!
Shane is always a helping hand around Kansas City’s Rave Safe team. We are so thankful to have him apart of our team!
Here’s some fun facts and questions we asked Shane about volunteering with us
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How long have you been in the scene?
•My first EDM show was Subtronics Tesseract Spring of 24.
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What made you want to become a volunteer?
•I wanted to help keep the amazing people in this community to enjoy their shows while knowing they can do so safely.
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What’s your favorite thing about volunteering with Rave Safe?
•My favorite thing about volunteering w RaveSafe is the nonstop support and love we see that random community members will show. Every single show I am overwhelmed by the amount of care I see from random strangers.
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What’s your favorite show you’ve been to with Rave Safe?
•Favorite show w RaveSafe - a locals show at Westport Bowery NYE 24 I believe. Great venue and best place to see real homies wanting to just chill and vibe.
Saint Louis
MEET ST LOUIS’ VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Liam Quinn!
Liam has been a staple of the STL team since moving here, & we couldn’t be happier to have him on our team!
• How long have you been in the scene?
I’ve enjoyed music my entire life, but I truly started connecting with electronic music during my college years and began attending shows about 8 years ago. The first festival I ever attended was back in 2021 for the first ever ARC Music Festival in Chicago. I’m fairly new to the area and the scene in STL and started attending shows last year. I have really enjoyed becoming a part of this wonderful community that has been built here over time!
• What made you want to become a volunteer?
I saw Rave Save posts on social media and immediately knew that it was an organization that I wanted to be a part of. I saw the opportunity to contribute to a graceful and positive message of harm reduction in the community. As a St. Louis area transplant - I felt it’d be a great way for me to meet and collaborate with amazing individuals in a very fun and energizing setting!
•What’s your favorite thing about volunteering with rave safe?
My favorite thing is that wherever we table, we help to contribute to a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone just with our presence, while also vibing to the music and having fun of course!
•What is your favorite show that you’ve been to with Rave safe?
Camping with the Rave Safe team at Homie Campout last year was a highlight! I met some great people and enjoyed my first experience at beautiful Astral Valley. I’m looking forward to future festival experiences with Rave safe!
Andi Thomason - Director and Founder of Rave Safe Inc.
I’m Andi Thomason, the director and founder of Rave Safe Inc., a nonprofit organization I started in 2023 after my life-changing experience at my first EDM festival. During that event, I was faced with a critical moment that led me to administer Narcan to someone in need, and that sparked a passion for making EDM events safer. I wanted to do something proactive, so I started by reaching out on local Facebook groups, letting people know I would be attending events and carrying Narcan and fentanyl test strips. The response was overwhelming, and that's how Rave Safe Inc. was born. What began as a simple post turned into a movement. In just two years, Rave Safe Inc. has expanded into two cities and grown to include more than 50 dedicated volunteers who share the mission of harm reduction in the EDM community. It's been incredible to see the impact we've made together, and we’re just getting started! Outside of my work with Rave Safe, I’m a proud Kansas City native. I've spent most of my life here, and it’s where I call home. When I’m not advocating for harm reduction or attending events, you’ll likely find me spending time with my beloved cats, Peter and Stinky. I also attend many shows throughout the midwest with my loving husband Spencer. They bring so much joy to my life and keep me grounded. I also have a background in addiction, with over 7 years off of meth. My personal journey has given me a deep understanding of the importance of mental and physical well-being, which is why I’m so passionate about the work we do at Rave Safe. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re making our community safer, one event at a time.
Our City Leaders
Joshua Thornhill - St. Louis Rave Safe President
Josh grew up in the greater Saint Louis area, and has been part of the dance music community for most of his adult life. As a kid, Josh was initially exposed to dance music through friends from England, who would often share Drum and Bass or Hardstyle tracks with him. At 19, he attended his first rave and began exploring altered states of consciousness. This led to a series of heart-opening experiences which unfolded on the dancefloor, solidifying his sense of belonging and purpose within the community. In his early 20’s, Josh received outstanding peer-support from the Interfuse harm-reduction team, and this ignited his interest in providing similar care for others. Realizing the lack of harm-reduction services available to the dance music community in Saint Louis, Josh and the other founding members of our Saint Louis chapter began collaborating with Andi to expand Rave Safe’s reach. They launched their first event on September 21, 2024, and have been busy bees ever since! Josh’s enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and desire to learn has made him the go-to person for his peers and friends when substance-related questions arise. Finding joy in this act of service and love, the hard working Saint Louis team is cultivating a feeling of togetherness and safety which ripples through their local community.
Kris Nelson - Kansas City Rave Safe President
My name is Kris Nelson, and I joined Rave Safe in October of 2024 after attending Dancefest for the first time. My first EDM show, Said the Sky at Red Rocks in September of 2021, was unforgettable and showed me just how powerful the EDM community can be. I really started to dive into the scene more as my kids got older and I had more time for myself. I love the music and the connection the scene creates, but my involvement with Rave Safe comes from a very real place. I have kids in the scene, and their safety, along with everyone on the dance floor, is incredibly important to me. I'm the one with the water, fan, Narcan, and test strips for everyone, the unofficial rave mom of any group I am with. Rave Safe gives me a way to turn that care into action. I am passionate about harm reduction because I believe people deserve access to honest information, support, and life-saving resources without shame or judgment. Stepping into a leadership role has meant a lot to me, and I am proud to support our volunteers and help make events safer and more welcoming for everyone. Outside of Rave Safe, I am very community-oriented and love staying involved in ways that make a real impact. When I'm not working events or helping behind the scenes, you can usually find me juggling school, teaching financial literacy to young students through Junior Achievement, delivering meals with Meals on Wheels, or going on adventures with my kids. And when I do get a chance to slow down, I'm just as happy curled up with a good book as I am catching a Tape B set.
Naloxone Training Video
Where can I order Narcan and Fentanyl test strips for free?
The state of Kansas and the state of Missouri both offer free Narcan and Fentanyl test strips delivered straight to you!
For Kansas residents: https://www.dccca.org/naloxone-kit-request-form/
For Missouri residents: https://nextdistro.org/mochoice
How can I identify an opioid overdose?
Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak, or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
ALWAYS CALL 911 AFTER ADMINISTERING NARCAN!
Where should I go if I need treatment or more resources?
Our friends at First Call KC can help you navigate the next steps if you decide you want additional help.
You can call their 24/7 crisis line anytime at 816-361-5900
Or you can reach out via their website at www.firstcallkc.org