NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 12, 2023) — The New Rochelle Police Department has announced that it is partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley, a program that helps people with substance use disorders access treatment and recovery services. The program is expected to launch soon and will offer a safe and supportive way for people to seek help for their addiction.
Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley is a program of the Tri-County Community Partnership Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to bring law enforcement, community organizations and volunteers together to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce dependency with any substance, including heroin, prescription drugs, and alcohol.
The program works by allowing anyone who is struggling with addiction to walk into any participating police or fire station and ask for the Hope Not Handcuffs program. They will be treated with compassion and respect, and a call will be made to a volunteer Angel from the Hope Not Handcuffs team. The Angel will come and provide support and guidance until a suitable treatment option is found. The program also offers follow-up services and peer support to help people stay on the path of recovery.
The program is free and confidential, and open to anyone who lives in Westchester, Rockland, or Putnam counties. The program operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
To launch the program, Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley is seeking volunteers to join its team of Angels. Angels are trained to provide support and guidance to people who seek help through the program. Angels do not need to have any professional or personal experience with addiction, but they must be compassionate and willing to make a difference in someone’s life. The hours are flexible and the work is incredibly rewarding.
Annette Kahrs, the president of Tri-County Community Partnership and the director of Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley, said that volunteers are the backbone of the program and play a crucial role in its success.
“Volunteers are an integral part of Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley,” Kahrs said. “They are the ones who show up and offer hope and support to people who are ready to change their lives. We are always looking for more volunteers to join our team and help us expand our reach.”
Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley started in Orange County in January 2019, and has since grown to include 65 police departments across six counties. The program has a volunteer force of over 500 Angels, and has helped more than 900 people enter treatment.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer Angel can apply online at www.hopenothandcuffshv.com or contact hnhcommunity@gmail.com or (833) 428-4673.