In times of need - recovery

It’s often said that The Salvation Army has a ministry of  “presence” – of being there in times of need.

The Salvation Army has been assisting people in need of recovery on the Central Coast since 1966 when The Salvation Army converted a farm into a recovery services centre for men.

In 1969, the service was relocated to the site of a former country club at Morisset, and renamed Miracle Haven. Miracle Haven is one of the iconic drug and alcohol services in the NSW drug and alcohol sector. It’s been held as a place of prominence, not only just a bit of a name in the Army, it’s a name in the broader sector as well, says The Salvation Army’s Clinical Director of Recovery – Mission and Resource – Gerard Byrne.

Along with exceptional counsellors and a successful program, more than 10,000 men have come through the Miracle Haven centre over the years. It is an historic site, being among the first Army recovery centres to be opened outside Sydney.

In 1974, The Salvation Army’s property at Chittaway Point became a recovery services centre for women, named “Selah”. A purpose built facility for women was built at Berkeley Vale in 1983.

In 2013, Miracle Haven and Selah merged to become the Dooralong Transformation Centre. The 345-acre facility, formerly a luxury holiday resort, allows both men and women the opportunity to overcome their addictions while living in a tranquil environment.