WVFF Continues “Hold the Line” Tour with Visit to Semper Liberi

WEST VIRGINIA (September 24, 2025) – The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) advanced its “Hold the Line Tour” last week with a visit to Semper Liberi, an Initial Opportunity Grant (IOG) awardee from Region 2 that received $400,000 to establish a 48-bed Recovery Village in Berkeley County.

Semper Liberi provides safe housing and comprehensive support services for individuals in recovery, with IOG funds supporting staffing, operations, and critical services such as transportation assistance, recovery coaching, and job training. By expanding access to housing and resources, the project strengthens recovery pathways and promotes long-term stability for those working to rebuild their lives.

Board members and staff toured the developing Recovery Village, met with leadership, and saw firsthand how IOG investments are laying the groundwork for a sustainable, community-driven approach to recovery in the Eastern Panhandle.

“This is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a village of support and a future for people in recovery,” said Teresa Jenkins, Recovery Village Director. “With WVFF’s support, we’re building a program that meets people where they are and gives them the tools to thrive.”

The Semper Liberi visit marked the third stop of the 2025 Hold the Line Tour, a statewide initiative celebrating IOG awardees on the front lines of West Virginia’s addiction crisis. Each tour stop is paired with a WVFF Board meeting or site visit to keep Directors closely connected to the communities and programs their decisions impact.

“Our responsibility is to turn settlement dollars into opportunities that save lives,” said Jonathan Board, WVFF Executive Director. “At Semper Liberi, you see that in action: safe housing, recovery support, and real hope for people rebuilding their lives.”

WVFF is now accepting applications for its second grant cycle, the Momentum Initiative Grant. For more information on WVFF, visit wvfirst.org. To learn more about Semper Liberi, visit https://www.semperli.org/.