The Shadow
This feature is presented in a Q&A format to allow readers to hear directly from the business owner.
From Recovery to Purpose: Building Hope Through Recover Virginia
What began as a personal journey of overcoming addiction has grown into
a mission dedicated to helping others find hope, healing, and a path
forward. Through Recover Virginia, Chad Stancil has transformed his life
experiences into a source of encouragement and support for individuals
and families impacted by addiction. His story is a powerful reminder that
our past does not define our future. Today, as a successful nonprofit
Executive Director and advocate for recovery, he is making a meaningful
difference in communities across the Alleghany Highlands and surrounding
areas by helping others discover that recovery is possible, purpose can be
restored, and new beginnings are always within reach.
What inspired you to start Recover Virginia?
Honestly, a lot of things inspired me. I wanted to do more for the
community. Looking at what I’ve been able to accomplish and what I still
want to achieve has helped me believe in myself and take things a step
further. Thinking about doing something and actually doing it are two
different things, and I reached a point where I knew I needed to take action;
people were dying.
What does the name “Recover Virginia” mean to you?
I didn’t actually come up with the name Recover Virginia. It began as an
idea connected to an event I learned about while attending a recovery
meeting in Lexington. I heard about something called Recover Fest that
was going to be held at Hull’s Drive-In. At that time, Recover Virginia wasn’t
a nonprofit yet; it was more of a concept focused on addiction recovery and
raising support for organizations like ours that are on the front lines of this
work.
I attended the event the following Saturday, and I was asked if it became a
nonprofit, If I would join the board. I had never been asked to serve in that
kind of role before, so I said yes. The plan was to host three Recover Fest
events the following year, one in Covington, one in Staunton, and one in
Nelson County. I was the only representative from Covington, so we met
virtually in January of 2022 for our first official board meeting after being
incorporated in December of 2021. I already had a venue at the Jackson
River Sports Complex, a band, and insurance lined up, while others were
still in the early stages. Because of that, it was decided that we would focus
on hosting the Covington event.
During that early period, from September 2021 to January 2022, the name
Recover Virginia emerged out of Recover Fest. As things developed, I
became more involved, meeting people and building connections.
Following Recover Fest in Covington, Recover Virginia experienced a
significant leadership transition.
I traveled to Richmond to speak with someone who had started a peer-led
organization nearly 28 years earlier. From those conversations, I learned
the importance of having a nonprofit physical space and a stable bank
account as foundational steps.
I reconnected with the person who was still serving as president and
shared my ideas. Through that, Allen Dressler with the City of Covington
allowed us to use the Edgemont School space.
To me, Recover Virginia is a powerful name. On one hand, it can be
misunderstood as being tied to the state, which can create confusion. But
on the other hand, it represents unity; it’s not limited to just Alleghany
County, and anyone is welcome as long as they are respectful and sober. It
speaks to a broader mission that includes people across the region and
beyond.
I didn’t choose the name, and I’m not looking to change it. But I do respect
what it represents and what it has come to mean through this journey.
What services does Recover Virginia provide?
Recover Virginia primarily provides peer support. That means offering a
listening ear from people who have lived experience with addiction and
recovery, including living life on life’s terms. At its core, peer support is
about connection; someone who has benefited from it is often the same
person who later gives it back. If someone hasn’t experienced it, they may
not fully understand its value, but those who have usually recognize how
powerful it can be.
We also provide support through groups, meetings to develop life skills and
workforce development. We’re still growing in that area, but we help with
things like job searches, resumes, and connecting people to employment
opportunities. A big part of what we do is simply meeting people where they
are and giving them a safe place to come to feel better after leaving.
For me, this started from my own experience with addiction, alcohol, and
drugs, and what I quickly realized is how important it is to have an honest,
human connection and a safe, sober space where people can breathe. A
place where they can begin to rebuild relationships and work through what
they’re going through.
Ultimately, our goal is to be a place people think of before they make a
harmful decision, whether that’s using substances, hurting themselves or
someone else, quitting their job, having a major conflict at home, or making
an impulsive choice during a difficult moment. We want people to feel like
they can come in, sit down, talk, or decompress with someone who
understands.
Everything shared with us is confidential, except where required by law or
when there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.
Can you share a success story that has impacted you personally?
One success story that has really impacted me happened very recently.
Last year, a couple would stop by Recover Virginia from time to time while
they were in a difficult relationship. Eventually, the relationship ended, and
one of them went to treatment for a few months.
When they completed treatment, they didn’t have stable housing and were
living in a tent. One of the first places they came was Recover Virginia.
They spent hours with us almost every day, simply having a safe place to
be and people to connect with.
During that time, they met someone and ended up staying with them for a
couple of weeks. Looking back, that probably wasn’t the best decision, but
it gave them a temporary place to land while they continued coming to
Recover Virginia. While they were with us, they found a job, secured
housing, and are now about a month into steady employment.
What made this story even more meaningful was that yesterday their
former partner came into Recover Virginia and said, ‘I was told I really
needed to come here.’
To me, that’s a huge success. We didn’t solve every problem for this
person, but we were there when they needed somewhere safe to land. We
provided support, connection, and stability during a very difficult time.
Sometimes that’s all someone needs to begin moving forward. Seeing
them go from treatment and homelessness to having a job, housing, and
now watching their story encourage someone else, that’s exactly why
Recover Virginia exists.
What keeps you motivated each day?
What keeps me motivated each day is my past and my faith in God. Those
two things are my foundation. We have a Bible study each week, and my
faith reminds me why I do this work.
What also keeps me going is seeing people change. I don’t always see a
breakthrough every single day, but I see progress. Sometimes it’s a change
in someone’s attitude, their behavior, or the hope they begin to have. It
might happen while they’re here, later that afternoon, or weeks down the
road.
Hearing those success stories and witnessing lives begin to change
reminds me why Recover Virginia exists. Every breakthrough gives me
hope because I know there’s another person who will walk through our
doors tomorrow, and another after that. Knowing we have the opportunity
to be there for each of them is what motivates me to keep showing up
every day.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
For me personally, the most rewarding part of this work begins with my own
recovery. Recovery has to be personal first. I have to be able to look back
at where I used to be and recognize how far I’ve come. Some people might
call that selfish, but I believe it’s necessary. If I’m not continuing to grow
and stay healthy myself, I can’t effectively help anyone else.
Seeing that growth in my own life keeps me motivated. It reminds me that
change is possible and encourages me to keep learning, even when it’s
difficult or frustrating.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about the exciting moments; it’s about
showing up consistently. It’s about doing the hard, often boring work that no
one sees: staying focused, being disciplined, learning from mistakes, and
continuing to move forward one step at a time. That’s what creates lasting
change, both in recovery and in life. Without that commitment to the
everyday work, you really don’t have anything to build on.
What partnerships or collaborations have been important to your
success?
The most important partnership to Recover Virginia’s success is the trust
we have built with the individuals and families we serve. People choose to
come through our doors because they know they will be welcomed without
judgment and supported through real-life challenges. That trust is the
foundation of everything we do.
Partnerships have also been essential to our growth. Looking back, I
honestly don’t know if Recover Virginia would be where it is today without
the support of the City of Covington, especially Allen Dressler. He gave us
an opportunity early on by allowing us to use space at the Edgemont
School. When we later had to leave that location, the City once again
stepped in and allowed us to use the Covington Depot for a period of time.
Having a place where we could meet with people during those early days
made all the difference.
Another person who had a tremendous impact on our journey was Gerald
Franson. I remember him asking if we had a budget, and I had to honestly
tell him that we really didn’t. We were only about seven months into
operating under our new mission. We had two employees we were trying to
pay, a couple of grant applications pending, and I had only written two
grants in my life. I had no idea how things were going to turn out.
He then asked me why I was doing this and whether I truly believed God
was leading me in this direction. I told him I did. His response was, “I have
a place for you.” That conversation became a turning point for Recover
Virginia. Not long afterward, one of our grant applications was awarded,
giving us the stability we needed to continue moving forward.
The Alleghany Foundation has also been an incredible partner, awarding
us two grants that have helped expand our services and strengthen our
ability to serve the community.
When I reflect on Recover Virginia’s journey, I realize we wouldn’t be where
we are today without the people and organizations that believed in our
mission before we had much to show for it. They invested in our vision,
gave us opportunities when we needed them most, and helped lay the
foundation for an organization that is now making a meaningful difference
in the lives of individuals, families, and our community.
What are your goals for Recover Virginia over the next few years?
One of our biggest goals over the next few years is to find a larger facility.
We actually outgrew our current space not long after we moved in. Several
times each week, we find ourselves saying, ‘We just need more room.’ We
need additional meeting space, private areas where people can have
confidential conversations, and outdoor space where we can offer more
activities.
I’d also love to create a workshop space with a concrete floor and garage
doors, a place where people can learn practical, hands-on skills. Recovery
is about much more than overcoming addiction; it’s about building
confidence, independence, and purpose. Something as simple as learning
to read a tape measure, use a drill, operate a saw safely, or complete basic
home repairs can give someone skills they can use for the rest of their life.
Beyond helping people maintain their own homes, those skills can spark
creativity and even create opportunities to earn income by building and
selling handcrafted items. My vision is to help people become more self-
sufficient while also creating opportunities that make Recover Virginia more
sustainable as an organization. Ultimately, it’s always about investing in the
person first and giving them the tools they need to build a better future.
Is there anything else you would like the community to know about
your mission?
I want the community to know that we are a local organization, not a
statewide program. We are right here in the community, and we’re open to
anyone sober and respectful.
Our mission goes beyond addiction alone; it’s about support, connection,
and helping people rebuild their lives in a healthy environment.
I also want to clarify that being local is actually a strength, not a limitation.
Sometimes people hear the name and assume we’re a large statewide
organization, which can make them hesitant to come in. But we’re here for
our community, and our focus is on serving the people right here at home.
Your story is one of redemption, resilience, and purpose. What
message would you like to leave with anyone who may be facing one
of the darkest seasons of their life right now?
My message to anyone going through one of the darkest seasons of their
life is this: you have to be honest with yourself, and you have to be willing
to ask for help. It’s not too late.
One question I often come back to is whether the fear and pain of staying
the same is greater than the fear of change. A lot of times, people stay
stuck because they’re more afraid of the unknown, what others might think,
or what might happen if they try something different. But the reality is, the
pain of staying where you are usually becomes heavier than the fear of
moving forward and that’s when change happens.
At some point, you have to be willing to be honest about how you really
feel. That honesty is what opens the door to freedom, support, and change.
It’s not always easy to get to that point, but it’s necessary.
So many people have reached that moment in their lives where they finally
choose to open that door, and when they do, it can be life-changing. For
me, that’s also where faith comes in. It’s a place of surrender, recognizing
that I can’t do it alone and I don’t have to.
The hardest part is admitting that I can’t fix everything myself. But once I
accept that, I can start asking the right questions: Am I really moving
forward, or am I going backward? That honesty is where real change
begins.
Where can readers learn more or book a visit?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoverva
Website: https://recoverva.org
Phone: 540-597.3488
Email: cstancil@recoverva.org
Closing Statement
As our conversation comes to a close, one thing is abundantly clear:
recovery is not just about overcoming the past; it is about building a future
filled with purpose, hope, and opportunity. Through Recover Virginia, Chad
is doing more than operating a business; he is changing lives by showing
others that no matter where their journey begins, transformation is possible.
His story is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the power of second
chances. We are grateful for his willingness to share his experiences and
for the impact he continues to make in our communities. His journey
reminds us all that some of the most inspiring success stories are born from life’s greatest challenges.
