by Katherine Basaran
A new prayer garden is a place of peace, meditation and hope for those struggling to overcome addictions at the Indianapolis, Ind., Harbor Light Center. It is a space for peaceful reflection and adds an outdoor element to the holistic treatment.
Dozens of Salvation Army staff and volunteers came together this summer and, in the course of just one day, transformed a large, unused plot of land on the property into a 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 Indiana Divisional Headquarters to lay new sod, plant trees and flowers, build benches, raise flower beds and shape pathways.
Overseeing the efforts was Randy Sorrell, owner of Soundings Landscaping. With his direction, the group saw the 4,400-square-foot space quickly changed into a colorful garden. They were honored to have Cameron Radford, Director of Community Outreach in Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office, stop by to congratulate everyone on the new addition to the center.
“God is ready to help when we need Him,” said Major K. K. Mathews, executive director of the center. “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.
The prayer garden was made possible through a generous donation by Jay and Jan Brill, who saw potential in the open land and dreamed of an outdoor space where prayer and contemplation could take place under an open sky.
