Opportunity
Eagle’s Nest Regeneration (ENR) is a long-term, faith-based recovery center providing substance abuse treatment in Floyd, Virginia. Beginning in 2007, ENR has continued to grow and expand services while contributing substantially to the surrounding community.
Recent reports from the Appalachian Regional Commissions (ARC) indicate great disparity between Appalachian and non-Appalachian areas of Virginia in diseases of despair. Appalachian areas experience mortality rates 58% higher than other regions of Virginia. According to the CDC, suicide rates rose 53% in the Appalachian region between 1999-2018. Rural areas experienced rates of overdose, suicide, and liver disease higher than metropolitan areas.
Community Context
Floyd, Virginia is a part of the ARC footprint. The ARC areas of Southwest Virginia have a diverse economic history dominated by below-ground assets, namely coal. Over time, industries either left the region or greatly reduced workforce and production activities.
The economic dislocation suffered across the region created high unemployment, outmigration to seek better opportunities, loss of hope for a better tomorrow, and high levels of “diseases of despair”. According to a report from ARC, mortality rates from overdose, suicide, and liver disease in the region are over 45% higher than in the rest of the country.
Yet, despite distress, the area is diversifying and focusing on areas of economic development to allow for communities to grow and thrive, namely tourism. The region is on the road to economic renewal and recovery. And while the population continues to experience high rates of opioid abuse, ENR is working to address recovery in a variety of faith-based, state-approved, holistic, and community-minded ways.
Strategy
ENR and Locus have built a long-term partnership in service of the goal of program expansion. As the needs of the community have grown, ENR has continued to meet clients where they are in their journeys of recovery and to grow itself into a thriving organization.
In terms of strategy, Locus meets partner organizations in a similar manner, tailoring solutions to intended outcomes. As ENR’s growth trajectory has unfolded in stages, Locus continues to follow their lead to meet the needs of the community. Beginning in 2017, Locus assisted with efforts to renovate and add facilities for ENR to increase opportunities for residents, including mentorship programs, counseling, and workforce development.
Renovations and expansion were necessary to house more clients. The success of the programming led to increased awareness of the organization and referrals. Workforce development programming grew to include in-house landscaping and painting businesses, both of which offer re-entry training.
Outcomes
Eagle’s Nest Regeneration is an exceptional organization that changes lives and communities. As a result of their approach, they now offer 60 licensed treatment beds for the men’s program (ENR) and 12 licensed beds for the women’s ministry, (The Well). They are hopeful to reach 100 beds in the next year.
In 2023, they added 10 beds to the 140-acre men’s campus, which is maintained impeccably for residents in the eight-month program. ENR also broadened its housing and services to women. The Well was established in May of 2023 and houses 12 women on 11 acres in Floyd County.
Lessons Learned
- Long-term partnerships between CDFIs and community organizations/community-minded businesses result in beneficial outcomes that create positive ripple effects. For example, Locus can utilize lessons learned within this project to help launch and sustain future partnerships of a similar scope and mission.
- Capital is a piece of the puzzle that can be large or small. Sometimes, capital is only a portion of a productive relationship between community partners.
- Economic development and the opportunities that development creates may mitigate the rate of substance abuse; however, true recovery necessitates a holistic approach to community development that leaves no one behind.
Next Steps
For Locus, two goals are to build on the long-term partnership with ENR to continue to support their community building efforts while also replicating that partnership model in support of other community initiatives across the region.
For ENR, future goals are to expand the ability to care for more men and women working to overcome addiction. They intend to develop a multi-purpose building which will serve as a recreational center, dining hall, and meeting space. They also plan to expand services by starting a men’s program in Rocky Mount, Virginia, as well as a women’s program in Lynchburg, Virginia.
For more information about Eagles Nest Regeneration, click here. To learn more about Impact Lending at Locus, contact Cindy Green.