Libera Receives $499,999 from Appalachian Regional Commission’s INSPIRE Initiative

Morgantown, WV, September 18, 2024 —Libera, inc has been awarded $499,999 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand their mentorship program to new counties in West Virginia. The award is part of a recently announced nearly $11.5 million package through ARC’s Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative, which addresses the region’s substance use disorder crisis with investments that strengthen services in the recovery ecosystem and helps facilitate workforce entry and re-entry.

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“I commend Libera for their work supporting the recovery ecosystem in Appalachian West Virginia and are integral to bringing our INSPIRE projects to life,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Libera is a great asset in our efforts to address the region’s substance use disorder crisis, and I look forward to seeing how they will help build a strong recovery ecosystem and a stronger workforce for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

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“We are so honored and excited to be one of the awardees for ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative,” said Kelsey Riggi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Libera. “This funding will give young women in WV impacted by substance use disorder access to vital resources, new opportunities, and a chance to hope.”

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Since INSPIRE was established in April 2021, ARC has invested $53.6 million in 166 projects across 360 Appalachian counties. The nearly $11.5 million package for Fiscal Year 2024 is projected to improve 851 businesses and prepare 6,445 individuals for new opportunities in the workforce.

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ARC is expecting to issue a request for proposals for the next round of INSPIRE grant opportunities in early 2025. Additional information and resources are available at www.arc.gov/SUD.

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About Libera, inc

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Libera, inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures for youth and young women in West Virginia. Founded in 2015, Libera has traveled across the state listening to girls’ stories, connecting them to resources, and helping them find hope. Libera’s programs meet girls where they are and provide access to mentorship, education, and employment opportunities. Learn more at www.liberawv.com.

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About the Appalachian Regional Commission

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The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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