The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation presented staff from the Potomac Highlands Guild (PHG) with a $75,000 check on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
The gift is the largest in PHG’s history and will be used in support of its efforts to combat substance use disorder in the Potomac Highlands region.
According to PHG Executive Director Mike Landis, the funding will specifically aid in the expansion of the CravAlert system, a patient monitoring tool designed to provide real- time support for vulnerable and high-risk individuals during critical mental and behavioral health transitions.
“It connects the person with addiction or early recovery with us. If they’re struggling or having problems, we can be alerted, and we can provide an intervention to keep them on the right track,” he said.
Landis said the CravAlert project started three years ago, but there was little to no funding attached to it to get it off the ground. “This grant, this gift here, will allow us to complete it and maybe take it even further,” he said.
Substance use disorder remains a persistent challenge in the Potomac Highlands region. The CravAlert system is a new step in addiction recovery, using wearable technology, real-time data monitoring, and peer recovery coaching to help prevent relapse and save lives.
“Recovery isn’t just about treatment; it’s about sustained support, timely intervention, and giving people the tools they need to succeed,” said Charlie Maddy, President of Burke & Herbert Bank. “CravAlert is a game-changer because it allows for proactive care, not just reactive responses. We are honored to support Potomac Highlands Guild in this effort to empower individuals on their recovery journey,” he said.
PHG provides programs and services in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and community initiatives to clients in Pendleton, Hampshire, Mineral, Hardy, and Grant counties.
PHG has an operating budget of around $14 million and receives the bulk of its funding from the state’s Bureau for Behavioral Health, according to Landis. He said PHG serves around 3,000 clients across the five counties at any given time.
Landis said he views this as a true partnership with Burke & Herbert. “I would like to thank Burke and Herbert Bank with providing us a grant that will help us continue our project and for a lasting partnership in helping the communities we serve,” he said. “That’s how you build as a community. That’s how you build as an agency.”
“Potomac Highlands Guild is a pillar in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, specifically in Hardy, Grant, Pendleton, Hampshire, and Mineral counties offering essential health and recovery services, and we are proud to stand alongside them in this mission,” said Maddy.
