One life lost is one too many.
Behind every overdose statistic is a son or daughter, a sibling, a friend, or a neighbor whose story ended far too soon. For the families left behind, grief doesn’t simply fade with time. For many, it becomes a calling to ensure that no other family has to experience the same heartbreak.
That calling became Taylor’s HOPE.
Founded by Maria and Keith Miller, Taylor’s HOPE is dedicated to reducing overdose deaths by educating the community about substance use disorder, mental illness, and the dangers of illicit drugs. Their mission is rooted in awareness, compassion, and the belief that education has the power to save lives.
Thanks to the generosity of Erie Gives donors, that message is reaching more people than ever before.
Support from Erie Gives has helped Taylor’s HOPE expand its educational and awareness initiatives throughout Erie County. One of the organization’s most visible efforts is its digital billboard campaign, which features the faces of local young people whose lives were lost to substance use. Paired with facts and statistics about the dangers of today’s illicit drug supply, the campaign serves as a powerful reminder that this crisis affects families in every corner of our community.
The organization is also completing a professional documentary in partnership with Erie-based Oddity Productions. More than simply telling a story, the film will become an educational resource for local schools, accompanied by speakers, musicians, and a curriculum designed to spark meaningful conversations with students about mental health, addiction, and prevention.
These programs aren’t meant to frighten people.
They’re meant to create understanding.
Substance use disorder often carries stigma that prevents individuals and families from seeking help. Taylor’s HOPE works to replace judgment with compassion, silence with conversation, and misinformation with education. Every event, every billboard, every presentation, and every story shared is another opportunity to remind someone that help exists and that recovery is possible.
Erie Gives has also allowed the organization to remain active throughout the community, participating in local events where they can connect directly with families, answer questions, and continue building awareness around an issue that touches countless lives.
Changing the future begins with changing the conversation.
Because of Erie Gives, Taylor’s HOPE is helping our community do exactly that—one family, one student, and one conversation at a time.
This story is part of The Erie Community Foundation’s What Erie Gives Makes Possible series, celebrating the lasting impact of Erie Gives and the power of collective generosity across our community.