House of HoPe

     There’s a home that exists in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania where 32 men live and coexist without conflict. 32 men, whose combined criminal record sheet would probably stretch across the carpeted living room floor, are rising every morning and slowly making their way to the mandatory, 8 AM morning meeting.

They awaken to a concert of alarms, an overly enthusiastic staff member or a vacuum in the hallway and wash up. They manage their way to one of the 6 bathrooms wondering how, exactly, they’ve ended up in this place.

After a pot of coffee and a cigarette are shared politely among the residents, this is where the men begin their day. It’s a 30 second walk from the bed to the living room. But, for many, it’s the beginning of the rest of their lives.

     A long journey of intense physical pain, powerful emotion fluctuation and life altering experience has resulted in one man standing alone in front of a bathroom mirror. He splashes some water on his face and stares into the reflection; questioning everything.

“What’s it gonna’ be like? The rules? The staff? The neighborhood? The people?”  A million questions stand in straight posture, blocking the idea of self-growth and exploration with fear and uncertainty.

After a trip through hell, the journey back to a life worth living can only be seen through the clear eyes of a focused warrior.   “But I am weak,” the young man thinks.  And, only after agreeing to shut down at the first sign of anything unagreeable, the man escapes the room and enters the shared space of the halfway house.

The man owns nothing.  He has no job.   He has no home.  He only retains a few scattered, questionable relationships with family.   He has no idea how he’s going to get back everything he’s lost.  Yet, he forces himself into the bright lights of the kitchen. 

     The man's attempts at holding on to the idea of independence immediately vanish upon the realization that he is sharing a home with 31 like-minded individuals.  They’ve been through the same struggles.  They’ve suffered from the insanity.   They’ve lived within the reality of the same profound thinking.   They’ve abandoned their children.   They’ve stolen from their Mom. They’ve lied and cheated.  They’ve manipulated and purposely hurt people.

“How in the world am I supposed to change myself surrounded by...myself?”

     Here, during the 8 o’clock meditation meeting, a bond is formed; a brotherhood.  The men gather on the couches and read from a series of daily meditation books.  They share how they are feeling, offer advice from experience and wisdom, and conclude with an undeniable prayer of wisdom.

Within the comfortable space of the home, uncomfortable skin surrounding a delicate and abused body begins its transformation.  There’s nowhere to hide now.  It’s time to reintroduce the world to the man’s true self.   It’s time to forgive.   It’s time to heal and grow.

The energy of the newcomer recognizes a similar version of itself, intertwining cautiously with the similar energies emulating from the house members . Tiny sparks of hope reignite old, passionate dreams.  The man begins to slowly arise from the sleeping depths of his old ways.

Although the idea of being a mentor makes them incredibly anxious, the senior members of the home take over the process of welcoming the newcomers.  Under the guidance staff members that clearly have the best interest of their growth, the men who’ve inhabited the home for 60 days or more extend the same open hand they received 2 months ago.

Compassion. Love. Wisdom. Truth. Recovery.

     As the chains of authority slowly snap and loosen from the minds of the ‘criminals’, freedom slowly drifts its way into their consciousness.  They can see the traffic whizzing by through the glass front door.   They watch as members of the house hustle their way to work or a meeting.  A refreshing and peaceful feeling relaxes the newcomer.  It's apparent he has a choice; to stick and stay or to run and hide.

Over the next few weeks, the men begin to remember who they were before the world ate away at their independence and uniqueness.  They begin to remember who they were before a drug or a drink played its part in their demise.  The memories are filled with regret and guilt.   It’s no longer a game of ‘who can tell the best story’.   He’s surrounded by people that have been there, done that.  At every turn, the option to run from himself is taken away by a soft and kind reassurance that, "You can do this."

The staff at Harwood House, and the rules they’ve put in place, are the dominant factor that's allowing these men to attempt and get their life back together.  You can find a friend, a mentor or someone to call you out on your immaturity at any second of the day.   With the wisdom of experience and a smile on their face, the counselors and technicians have created a thin line between friend and associate.

     This is a special place that has proven results.  Within the walls of Harwood House, a rotation of hope is spinning at all times.  Childish boys full of excuses leave the home after 90 days as grown men with unlimited potential.  

Harwood House should be recognized for playing its part in changing the world, one success story at a time.  It should be recognized for its impact on the community, and its impact on the war this country is facing against overdose and drug abuse.

There's a home that exists in Upper Darby where 32 men are given the opportunity to change their lives and the lives of those around them.