Finding Peace in Recovery
Men and women who come to The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center seeking recovery from addiction now have a new outdoor space to enjoy. It is a prayer garden that was designed as a space for peaceful reflection and devotion. This is a new and much anticipated element of the holistic treatment and care that is offered at the center. 
On Wednesday, July 17, dozens of Salvation Army staff and local volunteers came together on a large, unused plot of land on the south end of the property at 2400 N. Tibbs Avenue. In the course of just one day, the plot of land was transformed from a blank slate into a serene place of beauty and healing.
Volunteers from Turner Construction and iTown Church worked side-by-side with Salvation Army staff from both the Harbor Light Center and the Indiana Divisional Headquarters to lay new sod, plant trees and flowers, build benches, raise flower beds, and shape pathways.
Overseeing all of the efforts was Randy Sorrell, owner of Soundings Landscaping. With his direction, the group saw that the 4,400 square foot space quickly changed into a colorful garden. We were also honored to have Cameron Redford from Mayor Joe Hogsett’s Office stop by to congratulate everyone on the new addition to the center.
"The Prayer Garden will be an oasis for our consumers to escape the spiritual battles they face during their recovery here at the Harbor Light Center," said Major K. K. Mathews, Executive Director of the center. “God is a safe place to hide through prayers. He's ready to help when we need Him. This Prayer Garden will help all who use it to stand fearless at the cliff edges of recovery, ready to renew hope and begin healing."
The Harbor Light Center serves over 3,500 men and women from across Indiana every year. The adults who participate in the program have access to medically supervised detox, residential treatment, transitional housing, an intensive outpatient program, and spiritual counseling. Educational classes teach life management skills to help consumers re-enter the workforce, stay committed to sobriety, and heal broken relationships with their children, spouses, and other loved ones.
This Prayer Garden was made possible through a generous donation by Jay and Jan Brill. The Brills saw potential in the open land and dreamed of an outdoor space where prayer and contemplation could take place under an open sky. Major Mathews offered a prayer for the new space and all it will mean for those who find refuge there: “Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see You. We want to reach out and tell You we love and adore You. As we pray in this Garden, make us aware of Your presence, so we may share your hope with others.”
To learn more about The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, visit SAHarborLight.org. Stories of hope and details about the services provided by The Salvation Army at this Indianapolis facility can be found here, as well as information for those who may be seeking help in their fight against addiction.
For pictures of the prayer garden, visit our Flickr page here.