Our Mission

Hanover Cares is dedicated to eliminating the use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs among Hanover County youth, through education and community collaboration.

Our Story

1997: A Community Responds

The Hanover County Sheriff's Office recognized a growing drug problem in 1997 after six overdoses claimed the lives of county youth. A community forum was convened, committees formed, and a prevention coalition, ICARE, was established.

2016–2019: Becoming Hanover Cares

With the coalition evolving, members decided to update the name, mission, and vision statements. From this, the coalition became Hanover Cares. In 2016, the coalition hired a Program Director who has provided consistent leadership and developed an active coalition board and membership roster. In 2019, the mission was revised: "Hanover Cares is dedicated to eliminating the use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs among Hanover County youth, through education and community collaboration." The vision: Hanover youth make healthy drug-free choices.

1998–2009: ICARE Takes Shape

From 1998 to 2009, the ICARE coalition met monthly, and leadership was shared between a citizen member and a county staff member who served together as co-chairs. Although the process remained informal, coalition progress leaned heavily on the county prevention staff and school representatives. Decisions were made by an executive committee comprised of a few parents and key agency representatives.

2012: Growth and 501c3 Status

To increase both capacity and sustainability, the coalition established by-laws and applied for 501c3 status. The ICARE coalition was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and received 501c3 status in 2012. That same year, Hanover County experienced an unprecedented number of homicides involving teens. The Hanover Youth Survey (HYS), conducted since 2003 in collaboration with Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS), helped guide the coalition's response.

2018–Now: CADCA and Continued Growth

Participation and graduation from the CADCA National Coalition Academy in 2018 and the Graduate Coalition Academy in 2020 strengthened coalition efforts to improve the logic model, action plans, evaluation, and sustainability plans. Coalition members have also attended the CADCA Leadership Forum and CADCA Mid-Year conferences to expand their depth of knowledge in prevention, helping Hanover Cares establish activities and initiatives that directly impact youth substance use in Hanover County.

2012: Teens Care Too (TC2)

To engage youth voice and leadership in changing community norms, the Teens Care Too Coalition (TC2) was formed in 2012. The Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant (SFP-SIG) enabled Hanover Cares to focus on building capacity through sector recruitment, member engagement, and data collection, and guided the implementation of the strategic prevention planning framework.

Meet the Team

  • Anthony Keitt

    Hanover Cares President

  • Heather Shaheen

    Hanover Cares Vice President

    Christian Counselor

    Director of Outreach Ministries at Newsong UMC

  • Bethany Smith-Mullins

    Hanover Cares Executive Director

  • Abbi-Kate Richardson

    Hanover Cares Coalition Coordinator

  • Maryellen Vigilis

    Hanover Cares Treasurer

  • Gregory W. Six

    Hanover County Sheriff

  • Tim Papenfuse

    Hanover Sheriff’s Department

  • Dr. Lisa Pennycuff

    Dr. Lisa Pennycuff

    Hanover County Public Schools Superintendent

  • Gabriella Caldwell-Miller

    Hanover CSB Executive Director

  • Mackenzie Babichenko

    Hanover County Commonwealth Attorney

  • Chelsea Mitchell

    Hanover County Public Schools Emergency Manager

  • Anthony Nagg

    Ashland Police Department