Eight community organizations across the Commonwealth were recently awarded $60,627 in Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) Alcohol Education and Prevention grants to help reduce underage and high-risk drinking.
The selected organizations’ proposed projects will aim to prevent high-risk drinking and the devastating impact it can have on Virginia’s communities. Grantees will reach audiences across all ages with the important message of prevention, including teens, college students and those recovering from domestic violence.
Over the coming year, these grantees will work in partnership with Virginia ABC’s Community Health and Engagement Division staff to implement their plans.
“Virginia ABC’s Community Health and Engagement Division works to eliminate underage and high-risk drinking by building the capacity of community groups to educate individuals and prevent alcohol misuse,” said Virginia ABC CEO Dale Farino. “We look forward to partnering with these grantees to positively impact the communities they serve.”
The 2025-26 grantees are:
Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services- $10,000
The Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, the Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and partners will address underage drinking and driving among young people aged 15-17. The initiative will target Driver Education classes in Danville and Pittsylvania County schools, with lessons focused on underage drinking prevention and safe driving. A media campaign will also target parents on these issues, plus the issue of social hosting/providing. The program will be evaluated to improve its effectiveness and overall impact throughout the grant cycle.
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare- $10,000
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) will partner with five substance abuse prevention coalitions through the BRBH Prevention and Wellness Division to reach Roanoke Valley residents. Projects will include 5 points Creative’s implementation of a media campaign that targets adults ages 18 and older in the Roanoke Valley with a focus on the Hispanic population in Roanoke City and promotes the message that youth are less likely to use alcohol when their parents disapprove. BRBH and its partners will host a Hidden in Plain Sight event, with a focus on alcohol. BRBH will also partner with the Roanoke Prevention Alliance to complete a Project Sticker Shock in the City of Roanoke with eighth graders.
Carl’s Care- $4,433
This project in Suffolk aims to prevent high-risk drinking among domestic violence survivors by providing education and support to reduce alcohol misuse as a coping mechanism. Through evidence-based strategies, workshops and partnerships, this initiative equips survivors with healthy coping skills, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency. Aligned with Virginia ABC’s prevention goals, the program addresses alcohol risks before dependency develops. By empowering survivors with knowledge and resources, this project promotes informed choices, long-term well-being and a stronger community.
Christopher Newport University- $10,000
This project will establish a designated substance use prevention workgroup at Christopher Newport University under the Wellness Action Team for Captain’s Health (W.A.T.C.H.). Campus leadership will be trained in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Strategic Prevention Framework and best practices to address problematic alcohol consumption on campus. A comprehensive climate survey will be administered to gain an understanding of undergraduate alcohol use and its relationship with other health concerns. CNU students will be educated about the risks of underage and high-risk drinking through educational campaigns and promotional items distributed at campus events.
Mount Rogers Community Services- $4,444
This initiative will promote alcohol prevention across audiences of all ages through two strategies. Grant funds will support a digital campaign focused on underage drinking prevention with the goal of 10,000 digital impressions, and a regional wellness fair, which reaches over 2,500 attendees annually. Through public service announcements (PSAs), and educational outreach, the project will raise awareness of the risks of alcohol.
Tidewater Community College- $7,500
TCC’s Alcohol Abuse and Prevention Program will be a train-the-trainer model, recruiting and training TCC students on the basic risks of underage drinking, the risks of social providing and social hosting and the risks of high-risk drinking. Trained students will then participate and host engaging events and activities that educate their peers on the risks of underage and excessive drinking.
Virginia State University Public Health Institute- $10,000
“Motivated, Educated and Empowered” will be an in-person education program offered bi-monthly to 70 students in Petersburg City Public Schools, aged 14-18. These one-hour sessions provide information about alcohol use by minors and how it impacts various facets of their lives. The project aims to not leave any aspect of day-to-day life untouched, including but not limited to making responsible decisions, substance use, social media influence and risk-taking.
Word of Life International Church- $4,250
Word of Life’s program is designed to combat the problem of underage drinking in Fairfax County through the combined utilization of education and mentorship. Word of Life will recruit, train and equip a network of caring adults to build sustainable relationships with youth and provide real-time guidance and assistance in times of crisis. A dedicated team of community partners, including medical personnel, school counselors, administrators, parents, law enforcement officials and behavioral health professionals will educate youth on the consequences of drinking, provide positive messaging on the benefits of abstaining and equip youth with the tools needed to be successful.