Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health Update: August 28, 2025

ELKINS, W.Va. — September 2, 2025 — The Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health convened last week, highlighting both the critical needs and the resilience efforts of community organizations across North Central West Virginia. While the City of Elkins does not provide social services directly, its officials work as a facilitator for these crucial partnerships, supporting groups that often operate with limited staff and budgets to develop long-term solutions.

Key Updates from Community Partners:

• “Save A Life Day” will be held at Elkins City Park on September 25 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The event will also include tables for multiple community groups, seven speakers telling their life stories, Narcan training, live music, and food. Markie Jeffries is the county organizer for this event, which is occurring across West Virginia; this is the third year she is organizing Save A Life Day here in Elkins. This event is occurring nationwide: More information can be found about the event by clicking here or scrolling down to the end of this article; anyone interested to learn more about this event occurring throughout the U.S. visit https://soarwv.org/.
• Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS): The task force identified an urgent need for more certified PRSS professionals in the community. The primary focus of the next meeting will be to identify organizations that can host PRSS and locations for them to complete their required 500 volunteer hours.
• Treatment & Recovery Capacity: Statewide, treatment facilities report 198 available beds against a waitlist, underscoring the high demand for services. Lighthouse Community Recovery and Centers Against Violence (CAV) currently have beds available.
• Sober Living Expansion: Significant progress is being made on new sober living facilities. Ally’s Hope is renovating a home for women, projected to open in late October with capacity for 10 residents (a waitlist already exists). WV Sober Living is preparing to open a justice-impacted men’s home in Morgantown by the end of the month.
• Transportation Solutions: Transportation remains a major barrier to care. Celebrate Recovery is purchasing a van specifically to transport individuals to and from treatment. Davis Medical Center has an ambulance available for this purpose but noted a separate grant for transportation is currently unused.
• Catholic Charities reported a continued need for food pantry donations and is now also requesting assistance for client security deposits and rent.
• WV Department of Health is focused on bringing point-of-care rapid testing and safe sex supplies to vulnerable communities but is awaiting more supplies for testing.
• Randolph County Family Resource Network (RCFRN) continues its food trucks and baby pantry and is now developing community training for mandated reporting and CPR classes. They are always in need of volunteers.
• United Way announced a Day of Action on September 5 after losing funding for its AmeriCorps program.
• Other Community Events: WV Sober Living is hosting a Recovery Kickoff in Charleston at Magic Island on August 31 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Next Steps:

The Task Force will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Phil Gainer Community Center. The meeting is moved from its normal Thursday schedule due to the Save A Life Day event on the 25th.

Residents are encouraged to attend this monthly meeting to learn more and engage with participating organizations to volunteer or share ideas. As of press time, the meeting’s focus will be on recruiting more PRSS professionals for our local communities.

About the Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health:

Established in May 2021, this task force brings together local officials, law enforcement, and community organizations to address homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health needs; it meets monthly in Elkins, WV. The Task Force strives to identify gaps in services, coordinate resources, and implement sustainable solutions to these challenges in North Central West Virginia—including identifying peer recovery support specialists (PRSS), safe sober-living spaces, and expanded recovery facilities.