The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office celebrated recovery, resilience, and community at its annual HARP Alumni Picnic, held October 5 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.
Founded by Sheriff Karl Leonard in 2016, HARP (Helping Addicts Recover Progressively) has guided more than 3,500 participants through a structured program focused on long-term recovery and personal growth. Sheriff Leonard credits much of HARP’s success to the agency’s ongoing re-entry and post-release support.
“A large part of our success is directly attributed to our post release and reentry work we do for everyone who leaves the program,” Sheriff Leonard stated. “That’s what really separates our program apart from others, where you normally break relationships with inmates upon their release from jail, we really start our work in earnest to build those relationships even stronger upon release.”
The annual alumni picnic reflects that commitment, bringing together graduates, staff, and community partners to reconnect and celebrate progress. The James River Rotary Club once again sponsored and served meals, with assistance from Chesterfield Parks and Recreation. The event featured entertainment, family activities, and plenty of fellowship for those walking the path of recovery.
As Kerri Rhodes, Director of Behavioral and Mental Health at the jail, shared, “Today was about celebrating the GIFTs of RECOVERY and the people that walk through the FIRE to get there and choose it every single day. Standing in the GAP is not for the weak, and days like today remind me WHY it is so important. As Ian Roeber put it so well today, this is like our victory lap. We all left full and not because we shared a wonderful meal but we got to spend time together and catch up. No better use of time.”
Among those celebrated was Jennifer Hughes, a former HARP participant who is now being hired as a Peer Recovery Specialist through Project ReConnect, a VCU-led initiative supporting individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Hughes will assist with re-entry services at the Chesterfield County Jail, continuing the cycle of support and second chances that HARP embodies.
For more information about HARP and its ongoing recovery and re-entry initiatives, visit www.harp-rva.org.
