Our History
How It Started
Community organizations across Central Virginia came together under the coalition name Central Virginia Addiction and Recovery Resources (CVARR) in 2019.
But this work didn’t begin there.
In 2016, Virginia’s Health Commissioner declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Central Virginia was not immune—families, schools, and communities were feeling the impact. It became clear that no single organization could address the growing need alone.
A Community Response
Local leaders, stakeholders, and community partners came together to find a way forward.
The Central Virginia Opioid Epidemic Coalition, the Orth Virginia Opioid Workgroup, and the Community Coalition to Address Substance Use in Pregnancy aligned their efforts—forming one unified voice for prevention, treatment, and recovery.
With strong support from the Virginia Department of Health and a shared commitment to the community, CVARR was born.
Why It Matters
Substance use impacts every part of a community—but so does collaboration.
CVARR was built on the belief that lasting change happens when people work together across sectors, bringing different perspectives, resources, and expertise to the table.
No one organization could carry this burden alone—so we built something stronger together.