Partner Spotlight
Emily’s Hope: Empowering Youth Through Education, Prevention, and Community Support
The Emily’s Hope mission is simple but powerful: removing the stigma of substance use disorder through awareness, education, and prevention; and removing financial barriers for treatment and recovery. Founded by Angela Kennecke in memory of her daughter Emily, who died from fentanyl poisoning at 21, Emily’s Hope focuses on proactive strategies to help youth make safe, healthy choices, and to support families navigating the risks of substance use.
One of the organization’s most impactful programs is the Emily’s Hope K–12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum, designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and emotional tools to avoid substance use. From kindergarten through high school, the curriculum introduces students to age-appropriate lessons on brain development, decision-making, peer pressure, and the real-world dangers of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, methamphetamines, and opioids like fentanyl. For elementary and middle school students, original animations, books, and comics bring the lessons to life, making complex topics engaging and accessible.
The curriculum isn’t just about teaching the dangers of substances; it’s about building lifelong skills. Teachers report that students gain confidence discussing sensitive topics, make more informed choices, and develop the emotional resilience to navigate challenging social situations. With fentanyl and opioids increasingly affecting communities across the country, schools now more than ever need a comprehensive, high-quality program that helps students understand the risks and equips them to make smart decisions.
Beyond the classroom, Emily’s Hope actively supports families and communities through initiatives such as the Youth Prevention Coalition, which empowers students to take leadership roles in creating substance-free environments, and the Post-Overdose Response Team, which offers guidance and life-saving resources to families impacted by overdose. Additionally, the organization distributes free naloxone kits across South Dakota, giving communities a critical tool to prevent overdose deaths.
Angela Kennecke hosts the weekly podcast Grieving Out Loud, offering support and insight for those coping with loss or personal challenges related to substance use disorder. She also leads a support group for individuals who have lost a loved one to a stigmatized death, providing a compassionate space to heal and connect.
By combining education, prevention, and community support, Emily’s Hope is making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and their families. Their work demonstrates that with the right tools, knowledge, and support, we can help students navigate risks, avoid substance use, and build brighter futures.
Learn more about Emily’s Hope and explore their K–12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum: emilyshopeedu.org.The curriculum isn’t just about teaching the dangers of substances; it’s about building lifelong skills. Teachers report that students gain confidence discussing sensitive topics, make more informed choices, and develop the emotional resilience to navigate challenging social situations. With fentanyl and opioids increasingly affecting communities across the country, schools now more than ever need a comprehensive, high-quality program that helps students understand the risks and equips them to make smart decisions.
Beyond the classroom, Emily’s Hope actively supports families and communities through initiatives such as the Youth Prevention Coalition, which empowers students to take leadership roles in creating substance-free environments, and the Post-Overdose Response Team, which offers guidance and life-saving resources to families impacted by overdose. Additionally, the organization distributes free naloxone kits across South Dakota, giving communities a critical tool to prevent overdose deaths.
Angela Kennecke hosts the weekly podcast Grieving Out Loud, offering support and insight for those coping with loss or personal challenges related to substance use disorder. She also leads a support group for individuals who have lost a loved one to a stigmatized death, providing a compassionate space to heal and connect.
By combining education, prevention, and community support, Emily’s Hope is making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and their families. Their work demonstrates that with the right tools, knowledge, and support, we can help students navigate risks, avoid substance use, and build brighter futures.
Learn more about Emily’s Hope and explore their K–12 Substance Use Prevention Curriculum: emilyshopeedu.org.