Lauren's Wish

07/31/2026

Today we remember Matt Clawges on the 6th anniversary of his passing. 💜
Matt’s family remembers him as being an amazing uncle to his nieces and nephews. They remember how he was always involved with all that they did. He loved to go to their sporting events, especially football! He loved them more than anything.
He was a wonderful son and brother, and he was his father’s best friend.
Matt was a kind man, the kindest person you could possibly know and love. His addiction did not define him.
Matt is the nephew of our very own Eddie and Kathy Boyle.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family today as we mourn the loss of a truly wonderful young man taken from us too soon by addiction.

Rest in Peace, Matt💜

We honor Matt’s memory today by continuing to help those in need fight the battle against substance use disorder.

07/16/2026

Registration for our 6th Annual Birthday Bash and Golf Tournament is now OPEN!!!🌻😊

Be sure to register for these events if you’re looking to have a great time while helping to support a great cause!

Birthday Bash:
https://laurenswishwv.harnessgiving.org/events/3977

Golf Tournament:
https://laurenswishwv.harnessgiving.org/events/3978

07/16/2026

Interested in joining our team?
Lauren’s Wish is now hiring a Licensed Social Worker (LGSW or LICSW)!
If you are interested in the position please email resumes to [email protected] or call 304-241-4000

Details about the position are posted below!

Licensed Therapist / Licensed Social Worker
Licensure Required: LICSW, LPC, LCSW, or LGSW (West Virginia)

Telehealth and On-Site Options Available

Employment Type: Part-Time

We are currently seeking a licensed Therapist or Social Worker to join our team and support the clinical intake and assessment needs of clients entering Lauren’s Wish for Outpatient Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS). The ideal candidate will bring strong clinical judgment, excellent assessment skills, and a commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered care. This role is essential to ensuring accurate clinical documentation, appropriate service matching, and continuity of care from intake through ongoing support.

Key Responsibilities
Complete comprehensive Biopsychosocial (BPS) assessments for clients entering outpatient PRSS services

Conduct required clinical and screening assessments.

Collaborate with Peer Recovery Support Specialists, case managers, and external providers to support individualized service planning

Support LWATC’s mission through ethical practice, professionalism, and trauma-informed care

Skills and Qualifications
Active, unrestricted West Virginia license as one of the following:
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field

Experience completing biopsychosocial assessments and standardized clinical screenings and creating of peer centered treatment plans

Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment levels of care and ASAM criteria

Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary team

07/09/2026

Remembering 🌻 Lauren 🌻

07/09/2026

Today marks six years since we lost Lauren to fentanyl, but her story continues to save lives every single day💜 We remember her for the strength and courage she had and her willingness and determination to help others in need.
Lauren's life became the inspiration behind Lauren's Wish, a mission rooted in hope, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.
While we wish Lauren were still here, her legacy lives on through every person we support, every family we educate, and every life impacted by awareness and recovery.
Today, we honor Lauren's memory by continuing the work she inspired. We remember her, we say her name, and we recommit ourselves to fighting the fentanyl crisis so that fewer families experience this devastating and heartbreaking loss.
Our thoughts are with the Cole family today and everyday.
Forever remembered. Forever loved. Forever our reason why.
Rest easy, Lauren Renee Cole🌻💜

9/16/1993-7/9/2020

Our future depends on what we do today.

07/06/2026

We are truly honored by the kind words shared by Facing Fentanyl National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day August 21 about Lauren's Wish.
We would like to take the time to thank you for your support for our organization and for helping raise awareness about the devastating impact of fentanyl.
It takes all of us working together to educate, advocate, and save lives. We are grateful to stand alongside you in this mission. 💜

This week, we recognize the Cole family and their beautiful daughter, Lauren.

Before Lauren’s passing, she had a conversation with her dad about helping others- those seeking recovery in their greatest time of need. Her father, Michael and mother Cherie, honored that request. From Lauren’s hope to help others, Lauren’s Wish was born.

I remember, in the beginning stages, Michael sharing the obstacles he faced in getting this work off the ground. He stated them plainly to me, almost as if they were not obstacles at all. With God’s help, and through the Cole family’s determination and deep love for their beautiful child, Lauren’s Wish has become one of the most meaningful and beautiful projects I have seen in this space.

Every life they touch matters. Every person they serve carries Lauren’s light forward.

It is not typical for us at Facing Fentanyl to share donation links or GoFundMe-style requests. But, I find this to be an exception today, because of the extraordinary work Lauren’s Wish is doing and the lives they have helped save. This was not requested by the Cole family- they have not even been made aware of my post. I am sharing it because I believe deeply in this work.

No gift is too small or too large. Even skipping one coffee shop run today and giving that amount can make a real impact for someone seeking help at one of the most vulnerable moments of their life. Many that have experienced moments some of our children did, when nobody was there outside of their family to help. I can say with confidence that if you are able to contribute, this is one of the most meaningful donations you will ever make.

To the Cole family, thank you for bringing integrity, compassion, and hope to a place where so many families have known heartbreak. During this week of Lauren’s passing, we remember her light and the love that continues to shine through her family’s work.

𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟑
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐭: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎

𝐀 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

https://laurenswishwv.harnessgiving.org/donate/?selected-method=one-time&amount=50&campaign_id=0
Fly high Lauren,
Andrea- Founder Facing Fentanyl

07/05/2026

Mark your calendars! 🗓️
Our 5th Annual Birthday Bash is happening on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Topics Restaurant in Morgantown.
Stay tuned for more exciting details! 🌻💜

06/26/2026

From sober living to her very first apartment, furniture (that she never expected to be so excited about getting!), and a promotion at work. Danika is building a life she once only dreamed of. We’re so proud of you! 🛋️💜

06/18/2026

It takes a village to make a difference. We are thankful to have joined Jacob’s Ladder for their First Golf Scramble and we deeply appreciate their generous food donation to Lauren’s Wish. Partnerships like these remind us that community support is more than showing up. It’s coming together to lift one another up and ensure no one faces challenges alone. 💜

Keep sending your support by donating to Lauren’s Wish using the link below: https://laurenswishwv.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/11982

06/15/2026

This past weekend, our team had an amazing time at the Harmony Ridge Block Party held at Magic Island Park in Charleston, WV!
It was the perfect mix of live music, sunshine, good food, and incredible resources all in one place. We loved catching up with old friends and making new ones in the recovery community.
Days like this are such a powerful reminder of how strong and supportive our recovery community can be. Huge thanks to Harmony Ridge for hosting such a fantastic event!

Our future depends on what we do today.
Help us continue fulfilling our mission using this link to donate!💜🌻
https://laurenswishwv.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/11982