HARP Celebrates 10 Years of Recovery, Hope, and Second Chances
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) was proud to attend and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP) program, an initiative that has changed thousands of lives and reshaped how recovery can happen within Virginia’s jails.
The event brought together leaders from law enforcement, behavioral health, the courts, and community organizations, reflecting the broad partnerships that have made HARP’s success possible.
Since its creation in 2016 by Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard, HARP has taken a different approach, addressing the root causes of addiction and supporting individuals through a structured, peer-driven recovery model. In the last past decade, more than 4,000 participants have been impacted, with outcomes that include significantly reduced recidivism.
Reflecting on the early days of the program, Sheriff Leonard recalled the moment that prompted action. “How many more people have to die before we change things?” he said. That urgency led to the immediate creation of HARP, a program built from the ground up to focus not just on sobriety, but on long-term recovery.
At the heart of HARP is connection. Participants support one another through recovery, learning not only how to stay sober, but how to rebuild their lives. As one participant shared during the celebration, “The success of this program can be measured in people like me.”
The evening also featured a moving musical performance by current HARP participants, introduced by Kerri Rhodes, Director of Behavioral and Mental Health. “I have the honor tonight of presenting a song that was written for tonight about the 10 years of HARP,” Rhodes shared before inviting reflection from the audience. What followed was a powerful expression of the recovery journey, with participants using their voices to tell a story of struggle, growth, and hope. The performance reflected the discipline, confidence, and sense of purpose fostered through HARP.
Speakers throughout the program reinforced the importance of peer support and second chances. Ryan Hampton, nationally recognized recovery advocate and keynote speaker, reminded attendees that “Saving lives does not have a party,” emphasizing that compassion must remain at the center of the work. Donnie Newton, President and CEO of HARP RVA and a retired deputy sheriff, shared, “When I look in the eyes of people of HARP, I see hope.”
The program has also driven a broader shift in how the justice system responds to substance use disorder. Judges, prosecutors, and community partners have become active participants in recovery, working alongside HARP to support individuals seeking a different path, an approach that continues to set the program apart.
The evening highlighted the power of second chances through personal stories of resilience, accountability, and growth, reminders that recovery is possible when individuals are given the right support. As one speaker shared, “Hope is the currency of HARP.”
Ten years in, HARP stands as a model for what is possible when law enforcement, behavioral health professionals, and community partners work together.
And as one question lingered throughout the evening:
Where else does that happen?
In Virginia, it happens through programs like HARP, where recovery is real, second chances are possible, and hope is never out of reach.
