Helios Alliance Announces ‘Project Persevere’ To Combat Opioid Crisis In Mobile, Alabama

September 22, 2025

The Helios Alliance, in partnership with the City of Mobile and Mobile County, Alabama, announced “Project Persevere,” a comprehensive communications campaign aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder and increasing awareness of local treatment recovery support resources. The initiative represents a pioneering “bottom-up” approach that puts those with lived experience at the center of the solution, while establishing a potential model for statewide implementation, according to the announcement.

Project Persevere emphasizes measurable outcomes and data-driven strategies, making it an attractive model for potential statewide scaling, according to the announcement. By focusing on reducing stigma and increasing resource awareness, Project Persevere addresses two of the most significant barriers to recovery: shame, and lack of knowledge about available help.

The campaign, operating under the tagline “Changing the face of the opioid experience—A model that addresses opioid use at every stage—offering real pathways to belonging, purpose, and recovery that lasts,” will coordinate efforts among 16 local organizations receiving opioid abatement funding to create a comprehensive network of prevention, treatment, and recovery services, according to the announcement. Project Persevere intends to launch its public-facing campaign in the coming months, with coordinated messaging across digital, traditional, and community-based platforms, the announcement stated. The effort will highlight real stories of recovery and resilience while connecting individuals and families to comprehensive local resources.

The announcement drew support from multiple levels of government, signaling potential for broader implementation across Alabama. Mobile County has formally committed to supporting the initiative, with discussions currently underway for potential regional expansion, the announcement stated.

While opioid deaths are down across Alabama, Mobile County continues to significantly exceed the national average of opioid prescriptions per capita by 130%, according to the announcement. Alabama ranks among the highest nationally for opioid prescribing rates, making comprehensive community-based interventions essential. The 16 organizations funded by the City of Mobile opioid grant program represent a diverse array of services addressing every aspect of the opioid crisis, the announcement stated.

Prevention and early intervention services:

• Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama (prevention programming)
• Mobile United (peer-to-peer prevention in schools)
• INTO LIGHT Project (stigma reduction through art and storytelling)

Treatment and recovery services:

• Franklin Primary Health Clinic (comprehensive treatment and outreach)
• Mobile Metro Treatment Center (medication-assisted treatment with transportation support)
• USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital (specialized maternal and infant care)
• Family Counseling Center/Lifelines Counseling Services (wraparound family services)

Housing and long-term recovery services:

• Door to Serenity (recovery housing and comprehensive support)
• Home of Grace for Women (faith-based long-term recovery)
• The Lovelady Center (comprehensive women’s recovery programming)
• Waterfront Rescue Mission (recovery readiness and support services)

Specialized populations:

• Mobile County Veterans Treatment Court (justice-involved veterans)
• Mobile Community Corrections Center/Mobile Adult Drug Court (alternative sentencing)
• Mobile Area Interfaith Conference/The Neighbor Center (reentry services)

Innovation and prevention:

• Goldfinch Health (surgical opioid reduction through evidence-based protocols)
• Yosemite Consulting & Wellborn Strategies (communication and coordination)

The initiative also includes plans for comprehensive evaluation and measurement, ensuring that lessons learned can be documented and shared with other communities facing similar challenges, according to the announcement.

Helios Alliance is an Alabama nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering collaborations that drive positive change in public health, the announcement stated. By uniting leaders, experts, and communities, Helios Alliance aims to address pressing health challenges and create healthier societies.

This was reported by The Helios Alliance on August 7, 2025 (accessed September 19, 2025).

Contact information: Stacy Wellborn, Communications, The Helios Alliance, 358 St. Louis Street, Mobile, AL 36602; Website: https://www.theheliosalliance.com/