ROANOKE, Va. – The organization, commonly known as the RPA, relies on a $125,000 annual federal grant to fund its operations — a grant that is now expiring. Without a replacement funding source, the coalition may be forced to shift to an all-volunteer model, drastically changing how it operates.
Karen Pillis, treasurer of the Roanoke Prevention Alliance, says the financial loss could reshape the organization entirely.
“At this point we will not have paid staff unless we were to be partnering with another agency that would provide that staff. It would be all volunteer as we see it moving forward,” Pillis said.
Community need remains high
Despite the funding challenges, Pillis says the need for the RPA’s work has never been greater. The organization serves a broad and diverse population of young people in the Roanoke area…