Since our launch, the Matthew Perry Foundation has been driven by a commitment to compassion, courage, and community. Every day, we strive to honor Matthew’s wish by building bridges of understanding and providing tangible support on the path to recovery. Recovery is not a solitary endeavor—it is a shared journey that thrives on connection, care, and collective action. In these challenging times, our work is a testament to the truth that recovery requires not just resources, but the unwavering heart of a community united in hope. Together, we are rewriting the narrative around addiction, understanding that it is not a mark of weakness but a call for care, support, and solidarity.
Grassroots Recovery Grantee Spotlight: The Wall Las Memorias
In this edition, we are proud to shine a spotlight on The Wall Las Memorias (TWLM), a pillar of strength, advocacy, and healing in our community and a grantee of the Matthew Perry Foundation. For more than 28 years, TWLM has championed the cause of health and wellness in low-income, hard-to-reach communities across Los Angeles. Their dedicated efforts offer not just education but empowerment to Latino, LGBTQ, and other underserved populations on HIV and AIDS awareness, substance abuse prevention, and mental health. By reducing stigma and cultivating safe spaces for dialogue, TWLM has not only transformed lives but also sparked a movement for social change—with its iconic AIDS Monument serving as a catalyst for lasting community impact.
At the heart of their mission is a commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard and every individual is given the chance to thrive. Their partnerships with both LGBTQ and faith communities serve as a powerful reminder: when we come together with empathy and purpose, we create a world where healing is possible
United for Solutions: Conference on the Opioid and Meth Crisis
On March 26, 2025, the Matthew Perry Foundation had the privilege of standing alongside passionate advocates, community leaders, policymakers, and public health professionals at the United for Solutions Conference on the Opioid and Meth Crisis. Held at The California Endowment in Los Angeles and organized by The Wall Las Memorias, this gathering was more than just a conference—it was a rallying cry for action.
We came together not just to talk about the crisis, but to listen, to learn, and to lift each other up. We heard the raw, unfiltered truths from those on the frontlines—health professionals, policymakers, and, most importantly, the individuals and families living this crisis every day. Their stories reminded us why this work matters.
At the heart of every conversation was one powerful truth: real change happens when we come together. Whether through harm reduction strategies, expanded access to treatment, or breaking down the stigma that keeps too many from seeking help, we left this conference more determined than ever. The challenges may be great, but so is the power of a community united in purpose. Together, we don’t just imagine solutions—we build them.
Visionary Award and the Impact of Grassroots Recovery Grants
At the Matthew Perry Foundation, we believe that lasting change begins at the grassroots level. That’s why we are so deeply honored that The Wall Las Memorias recognized us with their Visionary Award, celebrating not just our mission, but the remarkable work of the organizations we support.
Through our Grassroots Recovery Grants (GRG) program, we have proudly provided unrestricted funding to over 20 organizations, including The Wall Las Memorias. These grants aren’t just about dollars and cents—they’re about trust, empowerment, and ensuring that the real changemakers on the ground have the resources to do what they do best: save lives, restore dignity, and ignite hope.
Every life touched, every stigma broken, and every door opened to recovery creates a ripple effect of hope and resilience. This is how we build not just a better today, but a future rooted in healing, dignity, and possibility.
In the News: Funding Crisis: Protecting Recovery in Uncertain Times
Recent policy shifts have stirred conversation at the national level. The abrupt revocation of approximately $11 billion in COVID-era funding for addiction and mental health services has raised concerns among public health experts and local leaders alike. These cuts threaten to undo hard-won progress, jeopardizing access to life-saving treatment and services. Critics warn that such cuts risk dismantling the progress made during a critical period, potentially leaving vulnerable communities without the necessary support.
As we navigate these uncertain times, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to uplift and empower communities. We will not waver in our advocacy for sustainable funding, because recovery should never be a casualty of budget cuts.
Elevating Care with the R95 Initiative
We are excited to amplify the Reaching the 95% (R95) initiative—a groundbreaking effort to expand access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Los Angeles County. Today, only about 5% of those who need help are able to access treatment services. R95 is designed to change that narrative by intentionally bridging the gap for the remaining 95% who have long been underserved. By breaking down barriers to care and dismantling outdated models, R95 paves the way for a system that listens, adapts, and responds to the real needs of our community.
At its core, R95 is a declaration that every person with a substance use disorder deserves support—regardless of where they are on their recovery journey. This initiative prioritizes evidence-based strategies and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that treatment is not one-size-fits-all but is tailored with intention and care. By focusing on outreach and engagement, R95 works to break down the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help, fostering an environment where compassion replaces judgment and access replaces obstacles.
R95 is more than just a policy shift; it is a bold reimagining of what recovery support can and should be. By embedding harm reduction principles and establishing low-barrier care, R95 empowers service providers to meet people where they are—without judgment, without unnecessary obstacles. At a time when the overdose crisis demands urgent, compassionate, and innovative responses, R95 is leading the way toward a future where recovery is not a privilege, but a right.
Now, More Than Ever, Your Support Matters
With funding for addiction and mental health services being cut, the need has never been greater—but neither has our collective power to make a difference. This is the moment to stand together, to ensure that life-saving programs don’t just survive but thrive. The Matthew Perry Foundation is committed to standing with those on the frontlines, ensuring that vital resources continue to reach those in need.
Your donation fuels grassroots organizations, provides critical support, and helps rewrite the narrative around addiction and recovery. Join us in this fight. Donate today and be part of the solution.