Finding Light at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center
For more than a century, The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Harbor Light program have offered spiritual, emotional and social assistance to those who have lost hope. The Salvation Army’s programs provide housing, food, counseling and community while working to treat the symptoms, and ultimately the root causes, of prolonged alcohol and drug dependence. The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division’s Harbor Light Center, located in Pittsburgh’s Northside, is a licensed long-term residential treatment program for men ages 18 or older with substance use disorders, many of whom have significant medical, mental health, co-occurring disorders, legal, and social needs. For a man named Herman, the Harbor Light Center became an indispensable resource on his road to recovery.
Herman’s journey with The Salvation Army started months before his arrival at the Harbor Light Center’s doors. In September 2022, Herman was in a rehabilitative center in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, recovering from a fall that occurred in his public housing. The injuries he sustained left him unable to walk short distances and required him to use a power wheelchair. He often visited the local Salvation Army in Beaver County and became familiar with other services that were offered, including the local food bank and worship services.
“I loved stopping in at The Salvation Army just to say hello,” Herman said. “There was always a familiar face and someone [who] would make me feel like they cared about me.”
When Herman was discharged from the rehabilitative center in October, he did not have a home to return to. When he came back to Allegheny County, he also fell back into a routine of using substances. Herman says during this time he was not properly caring for wounds from his injuries, his chronic physical health conditions, nor his mental health. In November 2022, Herman made it to a hospital where he was able to safely detox and begin to stabilize his medical conditions. The social worker at the hospital discussed long-term rehab options with Herman and mentioned that The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center may be a good fit for him.
“Once I knew that the Harbor Light was run by The Salvation Army, I knew where I was going,” Herman said. “I figured everyone was so nice to me back in Beaver County, that Harbor Light had to be a good place too.”
By the week of Thanksgiving, Herman was transferred to Harbor Light Center where he would spend the next few months rebuilding his life. Herman had an infant son at the time and was working with the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) to be a part of his son’s life. After working to comply with CYF stipulations, Herman was finally able to have supervised visits with his son.
“Seeing my baby made recovery that much better,” he said. “I knew I was in recovery for myself, but then holding this tiny baby, my son, made my determination and hunger for recovery even bigger.”
By March 2023, Herman began to complete his goals at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center. He had secured independent housing, obtained a sponsor, began treatment for his mental health and trauma and fully stabilized his medical conditions. He continues to work toward building a life with his son and strives to be a positive role model and father. This life-changing recovery is only made possible thanks to generous supporters of The Salvation Army. For more information about the Harbor Light Center, visit salvationarmywpa.org/harborlight.