Never Give Up, Never Back Down: A Legacy Rooted in Service

Some charitable funds begin with a long-held vision. Others begin with love.

The Never Give Up, Never Back Down – Richard K. Urey Memorial Fund established in 2023, was created in memory of Richard “Rick” Urey, whose life’s work was helping people overcome addiction and build lives in recovery. Rick held a master’s degree in counseling psychology and, at the time of his passing in November 2022, served as Chief of Addiction Services for the State of Delaware. His work focused on expanding access to treatment, supporting recovery programs, and helping individuals navigate the challenges of substance use disorder. His passion was never simply treating addiction. It was seeing the person behind the struggle and meeting them with compassion, dignity, and hope.

Turning Grief into Action

After Rick’s sudden death, his wife Jackie and their daughters knew they wanted his legacy of service to continue, but they weren’t sure how to make it happen.

Working with The Community’s Foundation (TCF), they quickly established the Never Give Up, Never Back Down Fund, named after one of Rick’s favorite T-shirts. What began as a family’s tribute has grown into a powerful community resource for individuals in recovery and the professionals who serve them.

Supporting Recovery, Strengthening Communities

Today, the fund provides grants that make recovery more accessible by helping individuals cover living expenses while staying at Oxford House sober living residences in Delaware and Delaware County. It also invests in the future of addiction treatment by supporting behavioral health professionals pursuing licensure, certifications, and specialized training.

Always looking for innovative ways to meet emerging needs, the fund has also partnered in harm reduction efforts by providing wound care kits for free public vending machines throughout Delaware.

Impact

In just a few short years, the fund has made a measurable impact:

More than $38,000 awarded to 94 individuals through Addiction Recovery Grants supporting Oxford House residents.

Professional Development Grants helping addiction and behavioral health professionals advance their education and credentials.

A $5,000 contribution to provide wound care kits for Delaware’s harm reduction vending machine program.

A Community That Keeps Giving

The fund’s work is powered by a community that continues to grow. Annual events, including a golf outing and Wiffle Ball tournament, bring together family, friends, and supporters who believe that recovery deserves encouragement, opportunity, and investment.

golf outing 1

Click on the left & right arrows for event photos

Honoring Rick’s Legacy

When accepting The Community’s Foundation’s Community Impact Award in 2025, Jackie reflected on how creating the fund transformed her own journey through grief.

“It has been said that grief is love with no place to go. This work helps channel that grief and share our love for Rick with everyone, even those who never met him. Through this fund, he continues to help people even in death.” – Jackie Urey

That sentiment captures exactly why The Community’s Foundation supports Community Advised Funds: to support people creating lasting change in our communities.

Rick’s legacy lives on in every person who finds stability in recovery, every counselor who gains new skills to serve others, and every life touched by the fund that bears his name.