WOCOTM Awarded 3VCF Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Alameda County
WOCOTM Awarded 3VCF Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Alameda County
June 26, 2025 | Alameda County, California
We are proud to announce that Women of Color On The Move (WOCOTM) has been awarded grant funding as part of the second round of the Opioid Settlement Innovative Mini-Grants initiative, administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF) in partnership with the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD). This initiative is made possible through an additional $2.5 million investment focused on combating the devastating opioid crisis in our communities.
This grant award represents more than just funding—it symbolizes recognition of our unwavering commitment to saving lives, empowering families, and providing culturally grounded, community-led solutions to address addiction, overdose, and recovery challenges disproportionately impacting Black, Brown, and underserved communities.
“We are honored and grateful to be part of this powerful initiative. At WOCOTM, we believe in healing that centers women, youth, and families—especially those who have historically been left out of the conversation around addiction, trauma, and recovery,” said, Dr. Sonia Pellerin, Founder and CEO of WOCOTM.
A Life-Saving Mission Backed by Data and Driven by Purpose
The urgency of this initiative is supported by sobering data. In 2023, Alameda County recorded 309 opioid-related deaths, marking a 65% increase from the previous year. The crisis is disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups—especially African American residents, whose opioid mortality rate is nearly double the county average, as well as unhoused individuals and formerly incarcerated populations.
This crisis calls for bold, grassroots leadership. WOCOTM is rising to that call.
What This Grant Supports
With this funding, WOCOTM will expand its trauma-informed mental health workshops, launch opioid awareness sessions for youth and families, and provide navigation and recovery support for women impacted by opioid use. Our work will include:
- Culturally responsive outreach in local neighborhoods
- Peer-led support circles and recovery coaching
- Youth-led prevention education to increase awareness and reduce stigma
- Connection to vital services, such as housing and treatment referrals
Our goal is to reach those most affected—before it’s too late—with care, compassion, and real solutions.
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder With Change-Makers
We are humbled to stand alongside nine other organizations in this round of funding who are leading the charge in this critical moment. These organizations, ranging from mobile outreach teams to harm-reduction scientists, reflect a collective commitment to ensuring that every life has value and every individual has a path to healing.
As Kelly Bowers, President of 3VCF, shared:
“Despite significant challenges—ranging from political polarization to funding instability—these organizations remain unwavering in their efforts to reduce harm and build recovery pathways.”
Looking Forward
This grant fuels our mission and reaffirms what we already know: community-based organizations like WOCOTM are essential to solving the opioid crisis. We’re not just offering services—we’re creating safe spaces, changing narratives, and fighting for futures.
We thank 3VCF and the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department for investing in our vision and in the power of women, youth, and communities of color to lead healing and recovery efforts.
To our community: stay connected. We will be sharing opportunities to get involved, attend workshops, and access resources in the coming months.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we will move.