RPA at a Crossroads: Funding Crisis and Youth Needs | Roanoke News

It's August 4th. Welcome to Roanoke News Today, powered by AI. The Roanoke Prevention Alliance, or RPA, is facing a major funding cliff. They've been operating on a federal grant worth $125,000 annually, but that money is running out. If they can't find a new source of funding, they're looking at a significant shift,

potentially moving to an entirely volunteer-run operation. This change would mean no more paid staff unless they partner with another group that can provide them. The treasurer, Karen Pills, explained that this could completely reshape how the RPA functions on a day-to-day basis. It's a big deal for an organization that serves a diverse group of young people in the Roanoke area.

Pills emphasized that the need for their services is actually growing. The young people they work with are reporting increased substance use, early pregnancies, and other risky behaviors. The RPA sees it as their mission to figure out how to best address these needs, even with these financial hurdles. The RPA's board has been meeting to strategize.

They've set up a timeline to figure out their next moves, and community input is a big part of that. They're collecting written feedback until August 12th, with a follow-up meeting on August 13th. A final decision on their path forward is expected on September 10th. This process is also about making sure the voices of young people are heard.

Pills mentioned that it's not just about kids expressing themselves and feeling listened to, but also about adults understanding what needs to be done to support them. It's a community effort to step up for the youth.