WVU and Ascend WV Partner with WVFF to Provide Statewide Support to Combat Opioid Epidemic

WEST VIRGINIA (September 12, 2024) – The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF), West Virginia University and Ascend WV – the nation’s premier talent attraction and retention program supported by the WVU Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative – have joined forces to support the fight against the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.

West Virginia University, along with Ascend WV, which was established through a gift from the Wing To Wing Foundation and in partnership with West Virginia Department of Tourism, stepped forward to provide working space for WVFF to carry out its charge to distribute nearly $1billion of opioid settlement funds to help people across the Mountain State.

Under the agreement, space at Ascend WV locations in Morgantown, Fayetteville, Elkins, Martinsburg, Fayetteville and Lewisburg will be available to the West Virginia First Foundation at no cost.

“I want to thank WVU and the Ascend WV program for their generous contribution of office space,” West Virginia First Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Board said. “Having these outreach locations will allow the foundation to be present within communities in every region of the state as we focus on serving the people who most need help.” 

WVU President Gordon Gee said the university sees the lending of space as an opportunity to assist in an effort that touches all West Virginians. “West Virginia University cares about the people of this state and we are a force for good,” Gee said. “This is the essence of being West Virginia’s land-grant flagship University.”

Danny Twilley, OEDC assistant vice president of economic, community and asset development, said the WVFF effort to connect directly with communities is an approach his organization understands, values, and wants to support. 

“This is where we see our role in this endeavor,” Twilley said. “Community engagement has been a cornerstone of our program from the start, whether we’re connecting ‘ascenders’ with resources and opportunities in their new home, helping native West Virginians find their way back or supporting communities in their endeavors to thrive.”

For more information, visit the West Virginia First Foundation website.