Richard and Cathy Harmon know firsthand the struggle of addicts and their families as they personally faced the heartbreaking truth that a beloved family member was struggled with drug addiction. Walking with them on the long road to recovery, the Harmons felt a profound calling from God to establish Day By Day. Through divine grace, that family member is nearly 10 years sober and has begun a new life.
“We had an inescapable prompting from God to serve. We were convinced that the secular way of treating addiction fell short of completing the healing of substance abuse. We knew that God was calling us into this ministry. We made mistakes and through these mistakes we turned to God for guidance. What we learned from those mistakes began our journey, led by the Holy Spirit, to begin, what Cathy called, Day By Day.”
- Founder, Richard Harmon
Our Story
Day By Day is more than just a support group; it is a beacon of hope for families navigating addiction. Their mission is to remind everyone that recovery is possible and that, with faith and perseverance, new beginnings can grow from the darkest times.
With a compassionate approach, Richard and Cathy have built a community where individuals and their loved ones can find understanding, encouragement, and the tools needed for recovery. Each of their programs emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships, fostering personal growth, and rekindling faith. Sessions provide practical strategies for coping with the challenges of addiction alongside group time where stories of struggle are met with empathy and stories of triumph are celebrated with joy. Day By Day believes in the power of shared experiences and the strength that comes from knowing one is not alone.
As Day By Day continues to grow, Richard and Cathy are committed to reaching out to more families, offering a lifeline to those in need. Day By Day believes that Jesus is the Deliverer and the ultimate goal is to help those suffering from the disease of addiction come to a place of healing, restoration, and faith in Christ.
If you or a loved one needs help in overcoming their addiction please contact us for help.
“He saved my life! Richard answered my calls every time I called. This man named Richard saved my life, and I am forever grateful to call Richard my friend. So just know that when he tells you he cares, he really does.”
— Tara, Program Graduate
Our Team
Richard Harmon
In his primary career, Richard spent over thirty years as a building code official and as a Division Director of Columbia County Board of Commissioners. After addiction touched his immediately family, Richard felt called to serve those who are struggling and founded Day By Day along with his wife, Cathy, in 2018. You can read more of his story HERE.
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Christy Howie
With over 15 years of experience in health and fitness, Christy runs the physical training element of our programs, helping participants see physical progress and strengthen their body during their recovery. Christy is passionate about the transformative power of weightlifting and metabolic conditioning, and you can find her full-time at CrossFit North Augusta.
Personal Trainer
Board Member and MentorNicole Russo
As a Registered Nurse of 17 years, Nicole has used her own personal and professional experience with recovery by serving as a board member, and actively participating in Day by Day since 2020. She now homeschools her two children and is married to Matt, who co-owns a local family owned business. You can hear a bit of Nicole’s story HERE.
Addiction in Our Community
In the United States in 2025, roughly 44.6 million people aged 12 or older (15.3% of the population) had a diagnosable substance use disorder (SUD). 76,000 people died from drug overdose in 2025 alone, and accidental drug overdose remains the leading cause of death of Americans between the age of 18 and 45. (Cited sources: American Addiction Centers and National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH))
In Georgia, approximately 8.5% of adults experienced a substance use disorder in the past year with young adults aged 18-25 facing the highest risk. A significant gap exists between those suffering alone versus seeking treatment, with nearly 65% of Georgians identified with an SUD not receiving any formal treatment. Georgia currently ranks at the 15th highest among the 50 states for SUD prevalence, and Georgia alone recorded over 2,000 drug overdose fatalities in 2025. (Cited Sources: Georgia Department of Public Health and Mental Health Stats)
It’s important to understand that substance use disorder can affect anyone. People from all sorts of backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, culture, or income, can struggle with addiction. What's important is not your past, but the support you look to. Day By Day believes that as long as an addict is alive, there is hope. Recovery is possible, and reaching out for help is the key first step to getting back your future.
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