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It Only Takes One
The First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin’s
Fentanyl Awareness Initiative
April 2025 Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
The arrival of spring brings with it a renewed sense of hope — and a reminder that every life saved is worth our unwavering effort. Through It Only Takes One, we are continuing to listen, learn, and act alongside Virginians across the Commonwealth to fight the fentanyl crisis and support recovery.
| |  | First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin celebrates the ribbon cutting of Hannah’s Home — a first-of-its-kind, faith-based recovery program in Colonial Heights where mothers can heal with their children by their side. 💛 | | |
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In Norfolk recently, I was grateful to gather with local faith leaders to discuss how we can equip and empower our communities with knowledge, compassion, and action. We are also celebrating the voices of women in recovery through art, sharing life-saving resources with students and families, and preparing for Virginia Fentanyl Awareness Day on April 29.
Whether you're new to this initiative or have been with us from the start, I’m glad you’re here. Together, we are building a network of light in the darkness — and showing that it only takes one voice, one act of courage, or one helping hand to make a difference.
Warmly,
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Suzanne S. Youngkin
First Lady of Virginia
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Mark your Calendar: Virginia Fentanyl Awareness Day
April 29, 2025
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Join us for the second annual Virginia Fentanyl Awareness Day — a day of remembrance, education, and action across the Commonwealth.
On Tuesday, April 29, we invite you to join us in honoring or acknowledging Virginia Fentanyl Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to elevate awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, encourage prevention through open conversation, and demonstrate that our communities are united in protecting Virginia's youth.
📺 Tune in: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin will be sharing how to talk to kids about fentanyl during a series of local news interviews airing across Virginia. Check your local listings for coverage.
🔗 Download the Toolkit to access activation ideas, a press release template, and suggested social media content to support your community’s involvement.
| | Faith Leaders Take the Lead in Norfolk | | | | |
On March 26, faith leaders from across Hampton Roads gathered in Norfolk for a candid conversation about the role of faith communities and their leaders in confronting Virginia’s fentanyl crisis. Thank you to every leader who joined us — your voices and commitment are vital to saving lives and strengthening communities.
Read coverage from:
🔗 13NewsNow
🔗 The Roanoke Star
🔗 Brunswick Times-Gazette
| | Watch: A Night with Arthur Brooks | | |
On March 26, the First Lady hosted award-winning author and happiness expert Arthur Brooks at Old Dominion University for a powerful conversation on building purpose, resilience, and joy — especially among young people.
🔗 Watch the full event recording
| | | Recovery is Possible: A Visit to Greensville Correctional Center | | |
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) Director Chad Dotson recently visited Greensville Correctional Center, where they spent time with participants of the Residential Illicit Drug Use Program (RIDUP) — an innovative initiative that supports recovery and aligns with the Governor's Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation plan.
Invited by Peer Recovery Specialists, the First Lady listened to moving personal testimonies of hope, healing, and the transformative power of recovery. These firsthand accounts brought to life the reality that it only takes one person, one opportunity, one conversation to change a life..
During the visit, VADOC also shared a new video, Recovery is Possible, now shown to all inmates. Funded by the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, it features inspirational messages from Peer Recovery Specialists, staff, and community leaders.
🔗 Watch the video
Hope is alive — and recovery is happening behind the walls.
| | Spotlight on “Hope” at the Executive Mansion | | |
During Women’s History Month, the Executive Mansion featured “Hope” — a powerful, collaborative painting created by 14 women in the Chesterfield County Jail’s Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP) program and Tri-Hope Life Ministries.
This inspiring piece, part of The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion, reflects the First Lady’s focus on recovery and second chances. Through vibrant color and shared perspective, “Hope” communicates resilience, healing, and the beauty of transformation.
🔗 Learn more about The Art Experience
🔗 Discover the mission of Tri-Hope Life Ministries
| | Nonprofit Spotlight - Faith Recovery | | |
Faith Recovery has been serving individuals and families across the Hampton Roads region since 1979, providing faith-based residential recovery programs for those battling addiction. What began as a small outreach effort in Newport News has grown into a 39,000-square-foot Hope Center that houses the organization’s Men’s Home and administrative offices. With deep roots in the community and a mission grounded in restoring hope, Faith Recovery has helped thousands of individuals find healing and purpose through long-term recovery support. Today, the organization continues to carry out its founding vision — transforming lives and strengthening communities across the Peninsula and Southside.
🔗 Learn more
| | Supporting Collegiate Recovery | | |
Navigating college life in recovery takes courage — and community. On Thursday, April 10, the Opioid Abatement Authority hosted a powerful webinar highlighting collegiate recovery programs across Virginia.
Participants heard from leaders at VCU’s Rams in Recovery, as well as representatives from Virginia Tech and Radford University, about the supports available for students pursuing sobriety or navigating recovery on campus.
🔗 Watch the recording
| | Become a Fentanyl Family Ambassador | | |
If you’ve lost a loved one to fentanyl, your story can help save lives. The Fentanyl Families Ambassador Program equips participants with tools to raise awareness and advocate for change through storytelling, monthly sessions, and ready-to-use materials.
🔗 Sign up
| | Add a Loved One to the Memorial Wall | |
The Memorial Wall is a sacred space to honor lives lost to fentanyl poisoning. If you would like to add a name to the wall, we invite you to share your loved one’s information with us.
🔗 Submit a name to the Memorial Wall
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The fight against fentanyl starts with awareness and action. Join the movement by taking the pledge to talk with the young people in your life about the dangers of fentanyl. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver, your voice can make a difference. By having open, honest conversations, we can protect our youth and prevent unnecessary tragedies.
Help us spread the word — encourage your friends, family, and community to take the pledge and explore resources available on the It Only Takes One website. Learn how to start the conversation, find support, and access life-saving training. Together, we can create a safer future for Virginia’s youth. Take the pledge today!
🔗 Find resources and sign the pledge
| | Keep Up with the First Lady and Virginia’s Behavioral Health Transformation, Right Help, Right Now | | | | |
Register for First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin's newsletters!
📩 It Only Takes One Newsletter – Raising awareness and taking action against the fentanyl crisis.
📩 W+g Newsletter – Supporting women and families through key initiatives, resources, and engagement opportunities.
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Register for Governor Youngkin’s behavioral health transformation newsletter!
📩 Right Help, Right Now Newsletter – Expanding mental health care, strengthening crisis response, and improving community services.
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