SAARA of Virginia

02/11/2026

🌟 Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2026 Voices for Recovery Peer of the Year! 🌟

We’re inviting the community to lift up someone who embodies the spirit of recovery—someone who has used their lived experience or training to support others navigating substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges. The ideal nominee stands out in their community, serves as a role model for recovery, and has positively impacted the lives of those around them.

This award is special because it is nominated by the community and voted on by the community—SAARA does not choose the winner. Your voice truly matters.

👉 Submit your nomination here: https://forms.office.com/r/f6rLhN6UR3
or visit www.saara.org/2026Luncheon for more information.

Know someone who deserves this recognition? Nominate them today! 💙

02/10/2026

📅 Save the Date! 📅

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Voices for Recovery Luncheon & Awards on May 19, from 11 AM–2 PM at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 🌿✨

This annual event is our chance to celebrate the people and organizations making a real difference in the recovery community across Virginia.

👀 Be on the lookout for an email coming soon with all the details, including ticket sales, Peer of the Year nominations, and ways to support the event.

📬 Not on our email list yet? Sign up at saara.org so you don’t miss a thing!

We can’t wait to celebrate recovery with you. 💙

02/09/2026

📢 Registration is open!

Sign up for our REVIVE! Basic Lay Rescuer Training on February 19th by visiting our upcoming events page. This virtual training is free, open to the public, and equips you with life-saving skills to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone. 💛

🗓 Wednesday, February 19
⏰ 10:00 AM
💻 Virtual | Free

Register here: www.saara.org/upcoming-events

02/05/2026

Despite winter weather canceling our planned Recovery Advocacy Day on January 27, we still showed up for recovery at the Virginia General Assembly on February 4! Our team met with legislators and had the honor of being recognized on the House Floor by Delegate Adele McClure.

We’ve shared a short clip of that recognition — plus photos from the day — on our website. Watch it here and see highlights from our time at the Capitol: https://www.saara.org/news/recovery-advocacy-day-2026 🌱

02/03/2026

Your voice matters in the Virginia General Assembly right now!

We’re asking community members to contact their legislators and urge them to vote YES on HB1820 and HB656/SB524 — bills that would strengthen supports for people and families impacted by substance use and recovery.

You can take action in just a few minutes using our automated advocacy tool. It finds your local legislators based on your address and generates a ready-to-send email (you can personalize it if you’d like).

👉 Take action here: https://www.saara.org/news/general-assembly-2026-call-to-action

Even one message makes a difference — thank you for speaking up for recovery and healthier communities.

02/02/2026

Join us at Diversity Richmond on March 6 from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM for the 2026 Resource Fair

✔️ Free and open to the public
✔️ Community, recovery, housing, health, and employment resources
✔️ REVIVE! overdose response training offered on-site

👉 Organizations interested in tabling (recovery resources, hiring, housing, health, and more) are invited to participate. There is a suggested $25 vendor donation.
📩 Email [email protected] for more information on registration.
*Organizations must register to table at this event*

Know someone who could benefit from this event? Please share!

01/30/2026

https://www.saara.org/news/general-assembly-2026-call-to-action

Contact your legislator by email using the buttons below. You’ll be directed to a pre-written email that automatically goes to your local legislator based on your address. You’re encouraged to personalize the message by sharing your own experiences or concerns, but you can also send it as writte...

01/30/2026

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/30/five-virginia-localities-awarded-opioid-settlement-funds-for-new-programs/?emci=9292cdff-59fd-f011-832f-000d3a1f0e4c&emdi=ced90e38-d3fd-f011-832f-000d3a1f0e4c&ceid=568208

A committee of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority approved more than half a million dollars in new grants this month, directing settlement funds to five localities for programs aimed at reducing opioid use, expanding access to treatment and strengthening community-based responses to addiction a...

01/27/2026

📢 Ethics Training Announcement! 📢

Join us on Saturday, March 28, 2026 for a Virtual Ethics Training designed for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS). This training fulfills the required 6 ethics CEUs needed for recertification. 🎓

💻 Virtual Training
🎓 Earn 6 Ethics CEUs (CPRS recertification requirement)
🎟 Early bird tickets: $35 (limited availability)
🎟 Regular pricing: $50

Spots are limited—don’t wait!
👉 Register here: www.saara.org/upcoming-events

Stay certified, strengthen your skills, and keep doing the important work you do in recovery. 💙

01/26/2026

Due to the weather conditions, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Recovery Advocacy Day at the Virginia General Assembly. The safety of our community is our top priority, and we do not want anyone traveling in unsafe conditions.

While we are disappointed that we won’t be gathering in person, advocacy does not stop here. There are still meaningful ways you can stay engaged and make your voice heard throughout the General Assembly session.

Stay Informed on Legislation

We encourage you to continue following bills being considered by the House and Senate that impact recovery, substance use, mental health, and harm reduction. Staying informed allows you to respond quickly as bills move through committees and floor votes.

📣Reach Out to Your Legislators
Legislators want to hear from their constituents. You can:
-Call or email your Delegate and Senator to share your support or concerns about specific bills
-Ask for a brief meeting (virtual or in-person) with their office
-Share your lived experience or why these issues matter to you personally

You can find your legislators and their contact information through the Virginia General Assembly website or at www.saara.org/advocacy

📣Testifying on Bills in the Virginia General Assembly

Public testimony is another powerful way to advocate:
-Individuals can sign up to testify during committee hearings, either in person or virtually
-Sign-up instructions are typically posted on the committee agenda prior to the hearing, usually within a 24 hour window. You can find the committee schedule here: https://lis.virginia.gov/schedule
-Testimony can also be submitted in writing if you are unable to attend live

Testifying does not require expertise—your lived experience and perspective are valuable.

We are grateful for your commitment to recovery advocacy and your willingness to show up, even when plans change. We will continue to share updates, resources, and opportunities to engage throughout the session.

Thank you for standing with us and for continuing to advocate for policies that support recovery and save lives across Virginia.

With appreciation,
SAARA of Virginia

01/22/2026

Want to get involved in advocacy this session? 📣
Visit www.saara.org/advocacy
to:
✅ Access SAARA’s Bill Tracker
✅ View our 2026 Priority List
✅ Find your local legislator’s contact info

Whether you’re following a bill or reaching out about a concern, we make it easy to stay informed and take action.

01/21/2026

We’re excited to bring our Annual Community Resource Fair back to Diversity Richmond on March 6 from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM!

✔️ Free and open to the public
✔️ Community, recovery, housing, health, and employment resources
✔️ REVIVE! overdose response training offered on-site

👉 Organizations interested in tabling (recovery resources, hiring, housing, health, and more) are invited to participate. There is a suggested $25 vendor donation.
📩 Email [email protected] to sign up.

Know someone who could benefit from this event? Please share!