Hello. My name is Brian Johnson and I am

a Veteran and a graduate of The Salvation

Army‟s San Francisco Harbor Light Center.

This is a letter of appreciation directed to the

Harbor Light Center and the Veteran‟s Ad-

ministration.

Upon my arrival at the Harbor Light Detox, I

was afforded an opportunity to start the re-

covery process with the respect my addiction

had discarded. I was under medical detox

from several psychotropic prescribed drugs

along with alcohol, cocaine, crack, marijuana,

and crystal meth, all coupled with an alcohol-

ic mind.

My addiction had big plans on how to maneu-

ver right through the program and get back

my way of life. Little did I know the staff at

the Harbor Light Center knew how to sepa-

rate an individual from their addiction.

One of the great influences afforded me, be-

sides a great and loving family support sys-

tem, was the Veteran‟s Administration which

eliminated the financial burdens of my stay;

they not only helped me financially, they also

provided all necessary medications and treat-

ments along with daily visits to the VA hospi-

tal for groups and counseling.

I had been in treatment programs twice be-

fore, and neither of those came close to the

Harbor Light Center‟s Social Model Program

where alcoholics and addicts not only run the

house, but in turn nurture each other along the

road towards recovery and a new life.

(Continued Page 2)

Brian’s Story

The Signal Spring 2011

Harbor Light Center Building Receives a Makeover

If you have driven past the Harbor Light

Center recently you might have noticed

that the massive three story stone build-

ing at 1275 Harrison St. is overrun with

scaffolding and translucent tarps. What

you are witnessing is a once in a lifetime

event; the restoration of a classic Terra-

Cotta façade building. It has been at least

70 years since the last time the exterior of

this building was restored. Possibly long-

er.

„The work on the Harbor Light is restora-

tive, not cosmetic” says Envoy Jack

Clitheroe, Executive Director of the San

Francisco Harbor Light Center. “This once in a

century treatment became necessary as the years

of wear on this building had become all too ap-

parent.” (Continued Page 3)

Quarterly Publication of The Salvation Army Quarterly Publication of The Salvation Army Quarterly Publication of The Salvation Army

San Francisco Harbor Light CenterSan Francisco Harbor Light CenterSan Francisco Harbor Light Center June 30th, 2011

Volume Three, Number One

Inside this issue:

Brian’s Story 1

HLC Makeover 1

Gardeners’ Box 3

Interview with Envoy

Jack Clitheroe

4

Corps Corner 5

Alexander and

Alexandra’s Story

6

Genentech Helps

Out

7

Fordham Annual

Alumni Outreach

7

By The Numbers 8

Being welcomed by staff and peers with the

addition of a set of new rules was one of the

most beneficial components of the program.

It challenged my mind long enough for me to

hear why I was at the Harbor Light Center.

My arrival was not unique in any way. I

came to HLC not believing in God, not trust-

ing people, and I had a plan and answer for

any and everything that came my way. These

patterns of course always led me back to my

addiction. What I heard, perhaps for the first

time, was “get a sponsor and work the 12

steps from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anon-

ymous.” With reluctance I became willing to

take these “suggestions” to heart and with a

great deal of fear I approached a man at a

meeting and asked him to be my sponsor;

together we opened the Big Book and for the

first time I read it and understood.

What happened next is a miracle.

My addiction has been drowned out

of my heart by a flood of faith and

the promise of the 12 steps. The

Steps in sequence led me back from

the gates of hell and despair. It all

started with the admission to myself

that I was an alcoholic. At that point

I had an opportunity to stop mim-

icking others and believe in a God

of my own understanding; one that

would help me through the transi-

tion and psychic change required

for liberation from alcoholism.

Today I live in the realization that I

am alcoholic, and that I can live

free, sober, and in faith despite it. I

do the necessary steps to continue to

improve my conscious contact with

God as I understand him, and

through this I am helped to over-

come the obstacles life has for me.

Under or over reacting to life is a

roller coaster I wish for no human

being. By asking God with my heart for help

awards me with results that keep me in a state

of awe and humility.

Life has come at me fast, and it is good. I

now have a job after not having worked for

29 years. I have a place to live. I drive a car

and have a license. I pay my bills on time. I

live clean and sober. I am free. These simple

things are all gifts from God, and I know this

now.

Hurting other people and myself 24 hours a

day, seven days a week, God has replaced

this with love, compassion, and empathy;

empathy for the next suffering alcoholic or

addict who like me is in need of an oppor-

tunity to change their life.

-Brian Johnson

Brian’s Story (Continued form Page 1)

Page 2 The Signal

“I came to HLC

not believing in

God, not trusting

people, and I

had a plan and

answer for any

and everything

that came my

way.”

As a resident of Harbor Light

Center (HLC) I have what is

called a “house chore”. We

all have one, just a task of

some sort that contributes to

the function of the house and

the comfort of all of us.

Chores are an essential part of

our treatment here. They

provide structure and promote

accountability. Whether we

like it or not our chores are a

fact of life here at HLC. I

must confess with a bit of

guilt, I love my chore.

My responsibility is the care

of the garden here at Harbor

Light. I tend to the flowers

and plants that we have grow-

ing all around the facility. In

various boxes, pots and con-

tainers we have such a won-

derful array of plants here at

HLC showcasing everything

from succulents to roses.

There are petunias in the win-

dows, passionflowers over the

trash compactor, some sweet

peas creeping up under a win-

dow of the women‟s dorm,

beautiful hydrangeas here and

there and a number of azaleas

that I suspect began their

journey as Mother‟s Day

gifts. Near the entrance to our

dining room there are two

hanging boxes spilling over

with flowers. I remember

seeing those two boxes the

day I first visited here.

Last summer, hoping to re-

ceive treatment at HLC I was

interviewed and given a tour.

It was a very difficult time in

my life and I was frightened.

I remember the relief that I

felt when I was escorted out

onto the patio and through the

breezeway; seeing all of the

flowers in bloom and the col-

orful boxes on the window

ledges was reassuring. It

comforted me to know I was

coming to a place that cared

enough to provide an environ-

ment so beautiful and peace-

ful. Nine months later I have

the privilege of helping to

care for that environment.

Each day I fuss over the blos-

soms that opened since the

previous afternoon. I like to

stop other residents and show

them what is happening –

which flowers our humming-

bird is partial to, the zinnias

and calendulas that were

grown from seed in the ware-

house this spring, and the

crazy “leaves” that have

sprouted from the tops of a

potted cactus. I know a lot of

them just humor me but when

I am outside tending to the

garden I tend to see the gen-

tler, softer side of the people

that I live with. Rarely does

anyone pass by without a

pleasant word or two about

how things are looking or

even how happy I seem when

I am doing my chore.

We are very fortunate to be

here in this place. I have

learned so much about myself

at HLC due in part to my

house chore. My counselor

considers the garden part of

my treatment and I am very

fortunate to be able to be of

service in a way that does so

much for me.

overseeing the project from

its beginning. “When this

project is complete, we will

see this building as it proba-

bly looked over 80 years ago.

This is very exciting.”

“The process, being done by

the Tom Lewis Construction

Restoration and Construction

Company, includes profes-

The Harbor Light Center

building was built in the late

1800s and it is has a very

beautiful terra-cotta (stone)

exterior with a beautiful gran-

ite entrance. “Stone like this

chips away over time just as it

does in the mountains” says

Sky Weber of the Harbor

Light Center Maintenance

Department. Sky has been

sionally cleaning the stone,

filling chipped areas with

specially matched materials to

restore the building‟s original

look, and finally sealing the

stone to protect it against

weathering. Keep your eyes

open; work should be com-

plete over the summer.”

-John McKnight

Gardener’s Box

Harbor Light Center Building Receives a Makeover (Continued from Page 1)

Volume Three, Number One

“It comforted

me to know I

was coming to

a place that

cared enough

to provide an

environment

so beautiful

and peaceful”

Page 3

On the wall of the office of the San

Francisco Harbor Light Executive Direc-

tor, Envoy Jack Clitheroe, rests a framed

poster of a picture from Gen. William

Booth‟s “In Darkest England and the

Way Out.” The image depicts millions of

people lost and drowning in a sea of vic-

es and man-made misery. Centered in the

picture is a lighthouse calling them to

shore, where they are being helped to

their feet by Salvationists in classic

1890‟s wear. The picture, of old England,

shows the many routes one of the healed

could take as they endeavor to rebuild

their lives and bring the light of hope to

the troubled people of our world. At the

very top of the map, lies a destination

labeled “The Colony Across The Sea”

and in the far distance there are lands and

cities bathed in the glow of the setting

sun which in my imagination is undoubt-

edly the western United States.

I asked Envoy Clitheroe what this poster

meant to him. “It is a reminder to me of

the long history The Salvation Army has

of helping people recover their lives.

Their souls.” Pointing to the “Farm Colo-

ny” in the picture‟s foreground he said

“The Salvation Army believes in the

importance of earning one‟s way. “ As I

studied the poster further, Envoy Clith-

eroe broke out his copy of General

Booth‟s book and opened to a page con-

taining a favorite passage of his. The

book was carefully marked with post-its,

labels, and personal notes. He opened the

book, clearly familiar with its‟ full con-

tents, right to the page containing the

passage he was looking for.

I could not help but notice that the poster

was signed a group of people who had

thanked him for his service. I asked who

they were. “They were my staff at the

Los Angeles Harbor Light Center.” En-

voy Clitheroe got quiet. Solemnly he said

“I thought my next assignment was going

to be as Executive Director of the Los Ange-

les Harbor Light Center, but it was closed last

year. An entire center, a facility, like this lost

because they could not adapt to changes in

their financial management. When I think of

all the people we helped, and all of those now

we are unable to reach.” He paused. “That

will not happen here.” He gestured for me to

sit down.

Whereas the Salvation Army‟s history here in

San Francisco dates back before the turn of

the century, The San Francisco Harbor Light

Center has, in name, been around for over 60

years. It began as a Corps function, and then

developed into a facility when The Salvation

Army bought the Avondale hotel and convert-

ed it into the James House in 1957. The

James House was augmented by the old

Southern Station jail house which became the

Bridgeway building. In the 1970‟s, The Har-

bor Light Center moved here to it‟s present

location at 9th and Harrison streets. From our

humble beginnings we have grown into a

$4million per year operation with an on-

campus population of over 120 persons. Our

Harbor Light Center maintains a men‟s and

women‟s detox center, a 76 bed long term

recovery house that is a fully licensed recov-

ery program, a 50 bed family based recovery

facility for single parents in recovery, a fully

licensed child care facility, and of course a

vibrant Corps program at the heart of it all. I

am deeply proud and satisfied with we do

here.”

From a small stack of pictures Envoy Clith-

eroe pulled out a photo showing a proud fam-

ily holding their new born baby. It was dated

1960, and the parents, both Salvation Army

Officers, were standing in a familiar room in

the Harbor Light. “That‟s me in the picture,

and those are my parents.” Envoy Clitheroe

told me that his grandfather was the Execu-

tive Director of the Harbor Light Center back

in the 60‟s, and in fact he was fifth generation

Salvation Army.

Trajectory: An Interview with Envoy Jack Clitheroe, Executive Director

Page 4 The Signal

“It is a

reminder to me

of the long

history The

Salvation Army

has of helping

people recover

their lives.

Their souls.”

“I have learned from the best as to what

works, and what doesn‟t, in The Salvation

Army. For the Harbor Light Center to re-

main in service and available to the souls

that need it, we must continue to adapt to

the changing environment around us. That

means we must know what the needs are of

the population we are serving, and we must

take full advantage of the resources that are

out there. As the city and State shut down

primary care services because of budget

shortcomings, we need to adapt and be-

come a fully comprehensive program

providing for all the stages of recovery

from Detox to job placement and long term

follow-up. This is what our immediate fu-

ture holds for us. In order to accomplish

this goal, we need to get the word out.

There are people out there who are passion-

ate about our mission. We need to let them

know what we are doing, and provide them

the opportunity to join us in our common

goal.”

As our time came to a close I asked Envoy

Clitheroe what was his greatest hope for the

San Francisco Harbor Light Center. He

needed no time to think. “For it to be around

long after I have retired and left this earth. I

want The Harbor Light Center to become

self-sustaining so it can continue to be avail-

able to the person who needs it. For the per-

son who‟s soul is crying out for a chance to

come closer to God.” I thanked Envoy Clith-

eroe for his time, shook his hand, and started

to leave. As I did I noticed again the poster

on the wall and thought of that distant colo-

ny pictured under the setting sun. I won-

dered if General Booth was thinking of a

future time, our time, when we would be

sitting here in San Francisco carrying on his

message of hope and salvation. I had to think

he did.

-John McKnight

camp attendees the tools they

need to retell the story to their

family and friends.

Each week has a Bible verse

associated with it as well. So

far, the children have done a

better job of memorizing the

verses than the camp staff! I

am reminded of the psalmist

discussing how a young per-

son can remain pure by hiding

God‟s Word in their heart

(Psalm 119:9-16). These kids

will be better prepared for the

challenges of life because

they have hidden these words

in their own hearts!

In addition to devotion times,

craft projects, and a variety of

indoor and outdoor play time,

this summer‟s day campers

As I write this, the SF Light-

house Corps 2011 Summer

Day Camp program is in full

swing. Elementary-aged chil-

dren swarm the campus each

morning, bouncing with an-

ticipation for the events of the

day.

Each day the kids start with a

story carefully chosen from

the Bible to teach them some-

thing they can use in their day

to day lives. For example, the

story of Ruth‟s caring for her

mother-in-law Naomi showed

how being kind to others

without asking for repayment

can become its own reward.

Crafts and game activities

tied to the story of the day

help repeat the lesson in

unique ways and give day

get to take two field trips eve-

ry week. They visit the SF

Kroc Center, a Salvation Ar-

my community center in the

Tenderloin which provided

them with access to a swim-

ming pool, a full-sized gym-

nasium, and a game room.

The kids all love visiting the

center and trying out new

activities. The second trip

each week is always a differ-

ent outing. Some of this sum-

mer‟s trips include visits to

„Zeum, the SF Zoo, Muir

Woods, the Exploratorium,

and a local water park.

While summer will only last a

few more weeks, the impres-

sion made on this group will

last a lifetime.

-Envoy Roger McCort

Trajectory (Continued)

Corps Corner: Summer Day Camp in Full Swing

Volume 1, Issue 1

“There are

people out

there who are

passionate

about our

mission. We

need to let

them know

what we are

doing “

Page 5

In late August of 2010 Harbor House had

a phone call for an intake. This was for a

single parent father. This father had lost

his daughter due to the hold his addictions

had on him. She was only five and this

was the fourth time she was taken from her

dad.

Her mother had never been in the picture.

At Harbor House one of the things we do

is work with single parents to reunify with

their children; one of these ways is

through our brand new Dependency Drug

Court (DDC) contract. Both Child Protec-

tive Services (CPS) and DDC felt there

was an extremely slim chance of the father

regaining custody. He had lost her several

times in such a short life, he was an addict,

he was homeless, had no job, and she was

actually about to be adopted. Since staff at

Harbor House (HH) loves challenges, nat-

urally we accepted him.

Our participant had, on his own, entered

Walden House and was now on outpatient

status. This made no difference to CPS.

They actually stated to the HH program

director that, “this child will never return to

her father.” The foster parents were filing

for adoption and it was almost at the end

phase of the adoption. DDC, with HH‟s

help, filed a petition in Superior Court. This

was the first step in giving our participant a

very slim chance to even see his daughter.

Our participant was granted once a week

supervised visits with his daughter. This

was a step but we still had a long way to

climb. The father had to comply with the

court judgment which also had many things

he had to do weekly; see a therapist, per-

form the 32-40 hours of groups/meetings at

Harbor House to ensure his program was on

track, see his daughter, maintain outpatient

at Walden House, and take a course in

plumbing. He did this with grace and a

smile on his face. He performed in the HH

program very well and is a role model to

new participants in HH.

He graduated his plumbing course, and

started to work. During this time staff

worked with DDC to ensure a successful

outcome though meetings with Superior

Court Commissioners, and other agencies.

After several court dates, finally, in March

of this year, our participant was reunited

with his daughter. He has full custody and

both of them are flourishing and thriving

together.

Recently he found an apartment, which the

day before he was to move in burned down.

His comment was, “I guess a higher power

wants me to stay at Harbor House a little

longer.” This week, he was given an award

for participant of the month at Harbor

House.

-Marcy Orosco, MSW

Alexander and Alexandra’s Story

Page 6 The Signal

“there was an

extremely slim

chance of the

father regaining

custody....this

child will never

return to her

father.”

“What a difference a day makes,” and

in the case of Genentech‟s visit an after-

noon was more than enough. On Friday,

June 17th , fourteen employees from

Genentech Inc. came to the Harbor Light

Center to help make sandwiches as part of

the company‟s “Genentech Gives Back”

day of service.

The “Genen-Team” of sandwich makers

were virtually unstoppable. In the four

hours they spent here at the Harbor Light Center

they made, wrapped, and packaged more than

2200 sandwiches. Their efforts went right to

work as our Outreach teams hit the streets Friday

night with enough sandwiches for everyone.

The Salvation Army and the San Francisco Har-

bor Light Center are grateful for the generous gift

of time and talent that Genentech provided that

day. “It is through partnerships with our commu-

nity that we can fulfill our mission of outreach to

those in need” said John McKnight, Volunteer

Coordinator for the Harbor Light Center.

On Saturday, June 18th, five volunteers from the Fordham University Alumni

Chapter came to the Harbor Light Center to prepare sandwiches for the Home-

less Outreach program. They were able to assemble 330 sandwiches in less than

two hours. Eva Fordham, Financial Development Director with The Salvation

Army and Young Alumni Director with Fordham Alumni Chapter said, "It's

wonderful that we have the opportunity to volunteer with Harbor Light. Ford-

ham University, as part of Jesuit tradition, always had a strong emphasis of giv-

ing back to the community, and I am glad we can help out The Salvation Army".

Shawne Bradley, Food Services Manger, told the group that those sandwiches

would be able to feed enough homeless in two-square blocks of the South of

Market District.

Genentech Volunteers Come to HLC to Help with Outreach

Fordham College Alumni Group Reaches Out

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7

“The “Genen-Team” of

sandwich makers were

virtually unstoppable”

Contact The Signal at:

The Salvation Army

San Francisco Harbor Light Center

Attn. John McKnight, Editor

1275 Harrison St

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: 415.503.3048

Fax: 415.864.5974

E-mail: john.mcknight@usw.salvationarmy.org

Golden State Division

The Mission of The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian

church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is

motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to

preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet hu-

man needs in His name without discrimination.

By The Numbers-A Glimpse into the Work HLC Does Every Month

The following services and values are for the month of May 2011. These numbers represent only 1 month of services, and

are only a small portion of the services rendered at The San Francisco Harbor Light Center.

Meals Served at The San Francisco Harbor Light

Center 9,024 Meals Served

Days of Lodging Provided 5,514 Days of Lodging Provided

Hours of Counseling and Case Management 1,177 Hours of Counseling Services

Families Housed Together Off the Street 26 Families

Meals Served to the Homeless (Outreach) 8,830 Meals Served, and 588 volunteer hours dedicated to the prep-

aration and delivery of these meals.

Hours of Child Care 1,825 Hours of Child Care Provided

Religious Services 35 Religious Services Ministered

Detox Treatment 68 Men and Women Were Provided with Detox Treatment

It is only through your contributions that this work is made possible. Thank You!