We are so excited by the developments taking place at InStill, and hope you are too.

Last year we asked you to help us thrive, and now we are asking you to help sustain the thriving.

Here are some of most important developments we would like to share with you:

Peer Support Specialist: We are delighted to welcome Kelsea Blose to our team. With support from Hemera, we have been able to add Kelsea on a part-time basis. But what is a Peer Support Specialist? This is an individual who has been through the same kind of experiences as the people they are trying to support. In this instance, we have employed Kelsea to help people struggling with homelessness, substance abuse, and the impacts of incarceration. We would love to employ Kelsea on a full-time basis. Your support will help make that possible.

Harm Reduction Program: We are collaborating with VDH’s Rise Above to offer harm reduction services every week through our Center in Pulaski. In order to make these services as effective as possible we need to invest in making our space more trauma-informed and will need to utilize other spaces in the Beans & Rice building. Your support will ensure some of the most vulnerable people in our community are receiving the kind of care they need.

Jail program: We have been working with New River Valley Regional Jail to develop a professional development training for Correctional Officers. The pilot for this program is scheduled to commence in June. With your support, we will be able to offer ongoing programming that supports both the COs and the prisoners.