STARR didn’t begin as a program. It began at a kitchen table, with three children trying to stay connected to their father.

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When Corinthia Harper’s nephew was sentenced in 2012 to 14–21 years, his three young children suddenly found themselves navigating a world full of changes. Over the next several years, they moved between relatives’ homes in North Carolina and

Missouri, as their family did everything possible to create stability. They changed schools multiple times, adjusted to new routines, learned to make new friends, and at moments were even separated from one another. Each transition carried emotional weight — especially during those delicate years between middle school and high school.

 

Despite all the changes, one longing stayed constant: staying close to their father.

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Maintaining that connection wasn’t simple. Phone calls, visits, shifting schedules, and the emotional strain of growing up apart made communication difficult. Corinthia saw how deeply the children wanted to stay connected, yet struggled to bridge the distance.

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One afternoon, while they were gathered at the kitchen table, everything shifted. Corinthia was encouraging them to write letters to their father — a way to share their lives when everyday conversation wasn’t possible. The two younger children stared at their papers, unsure what to say. So Corinthia began offering gentle prompts:

 

What’s his favorite color?
Who was his favorite teacher?
What cartoons did he love as a kid?
What memory do you want to share?

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Slowly, their pencils started moving. A connection that felt out of reach began to take shape on the page.

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And in that small moment, a moment filled with hope, effort, and the desire to stay bonded, the seed of STARR was planted.

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Corinthia realized families shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. She knew that one day these children would face the complicated and emotional transition of welcoming their father home after more than a decade apart. Reunification is one of the hardest parts of the incarceration experience, and families are often left to navigate it without preparation or support.

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In 2019, the initially development of STARR — Start Talking About Rebuilding Relationships — began. STARR offers a supportive, trauma-informed pathway for parents and children to rebuild, reconnect, and understand each other again long before release day. It creates space for healing and communication, helping both sides prepare not just for the practical steps of reunification, but the emotional journey as well.

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The road hasn’t always been easy. Funding has come and gone. But today, STARR is supported through federal funding and is making a meaningful impact for families across North Carolina.

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Still, the vision is bigger than a grant cycle. Families need long-term support, and STARR is determined to become a lasting resource, expanding across North Carolina and one day becoming a national model.

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If this story resonates with you and you want to help more families reconnect and heal, your support can make that possible. You can also explore the full details of the STARR program to see exactly what your generosity sustains.