The event, held in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, celebrates individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to support efforts to end domestic violence and assist survivors throughout the year. The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton (Capital Room A), 600 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, West Virginia.
Marshall team members accepting the award include Dr. Amy Saunders, Dr. Tammy Collins, Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, Kelly Wiltsey, M.A., and Austin Persinger, M.S.I.
The Weave WV Project helps address barriers faced by individuals affected by intimate partner violence by exploring the intersection of substance use disorder and intimate partner violence—two interconnected challenges that often compound one another. Intimate partner violence remains a significant barrier to accessing health care and social services, often preventing survivors from seeking the support they need. The project builds on West Virginia’s existing statewide networks by training front-line providers.
The Weave WV Project is a collaborative effort among several key partners, including the:
• National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health
• Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery
• West Virginia Perinatal Partnership
• West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health
“We were excited to collaborate with our partners to provide these trainings to providers across the state to help reduce barriers for individuals impacted by substance use and intimate partner violence,” said Dr. Amy Saunders, associate vice president of the Marshall University Research Corporation and managing director of the Center of Excellence for Recovery. “Over the past three years, we have hosted 46 trainings, reaching more than 2,700 participants. The trainings are now available on demand through our website, where they have already been accessed more than 1,400 times.”
Members of the media are invited to attend the event to highlight the inspiring work being done across West Virginia in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
View the full list of 2025 honorees: https://wvcadv.org/awards
Access the on-demand courses: https://wvbhtraining.org/recordings-resources → “Online Learning Portal”