May 2025 Newsletter

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Short in Stature / Long in Sobriety

Albert Lopez – affectionately known as “Shorty” – has just recently reached three years of sobriety here at Soul’s Harbor! Shorty has become one of the most trusted individuals on our campus. He is a sturdy beam that supports the foundation of recovery at Soul’s Harbor. Shorty is one of our kitchen supervisors. In the interview below, I challenged Shorty to delve into his longest length of sobriety:

How did you come to live at Soul’s Harbor?

I was here 20 years ago. I stayed for four months. Years later, I was in the hospital for kidney failure, heart failure, and pneumonia. I was in a coma for seven and a half weeks. When I awoke, I had reached rock bottom. Someone at the hospital mentioned Soul’s Harbor and I remembered how well I was treated there the first time. I was in a coma and got a second chance at life, and God brought me here. I’ m grateful for every day.

What is your favorite meal here?

Every Sunday Ashley comes to volunteer her time and cook for us. Everything she cooks is amazing and tastes like a home cooked meal.

How many times have you had three years of continuous sobriety?

Just one time. I also had a stretch of three years when I was younger. Then I relapsed and after 2 years ended up in the hospital, in a coma. And God brought me to Soul’s Harbor.

How did the community of Soul’s Harbor help you get a year clean?

Just being in the community with other guys trying to stay clean. There is more accountability between a bunch of men trying for the same thing.

Is there a specific brother from Soul’s Harbor who has helped you in your sobriety? Someone you admire and hope to model yourself after?

Derrick and Brian. They helped me by sharing what they had been through themselves. Hearing their stories made me feel like, if they can do it, I can do it. They went through so much and made it, which gave me the strength to do it myself.

Are there any fears that still plague your day-to-day thoughts?

No. Well, I fear doing my dialysis, because I feel like it may not work. Just thoughts that I have because it could mean terrible things for my health.

How do you get past those fears??

I pray to God. And stay busy with my work. Then pray some more. I cook and clean. I give my fears to God. And I stay sober, one day at a time.

 

A Night to be Remembered

Soul’s Harbor started off the month of May with a bang! We held our Spring Celebration, and thanks to our sponsors and donors, we were able to raise over $30,000 to be used for our Capital Fund Campaign.

Best-selling author Sarah Hepola pictured was our keynote speaker. Sarah shared her story with grace and levity. Kevin Jackson, a resident, also told his story about his path to Soul’s Harbor. Including a hilarious imitation of our Executive Director and Kevin’s surrogate father, Brent Burmaster. The food was tasty, and the music played by The Collective had us dancing until the lights went down.

We would like to thank the Board of Directors, the sponsors, and all the donors who contributed to making The Spring Gala such a beautifully successful night! God gives us blessings every day and this night was especially blessed!

The Harbor Needs Your Help

If you would like to contribute financially through PayPal using your debit card or credit card, click the yellow “DONATE” near the bottom of our pages.If you unable to contribute financially, please consider donating your old clothes, furniture, appliances or other household items. You have your choice of either completing our “Household Donation Request Form“ or by contacting our dispatch office at 972-286-1940. Our dispatch office hours of operation are: Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Soul’s Harbor is sustained primarily through yours and others generous contributions where they are then sold at one of our four area thrift stores.Soul’s Harbor also has the ability to accept and process your vehicle donation. Please see our “Vehicle Donation Request Form“.From all of our program members and staff here at Soul’s Harbor, we would like to extend a big Soul’s Harbor THANK YOU, and to others who have contributed by donating their personal items, to those who have contributed financially and to all of our loyal thrift store customers. Because without all of you, there would be no Soul’s Harbor.

Thank you and God Bless.
Brent Sig
Brent Burmaster
Executive Director of Soul’s Harbor Homeless Shelter

For information regarding intake/admission into our recovery facility, please contact:

Dispatch Representative
Soul’s Harbor, Inc.
13134 Nile Drive
Dallas, Texas 75253
972.286.1940
972.286.5282 Fax		 Soul’s Harbor Substance Abuse Program Questions and Intake
Please contact our intake Manager
Cell number 214-663-9684
contact@soulsharbordallas.org

New Online Donation Processing:
Soul’s Harbor, Inc.
13134 Nile Drive
Dallas, Texas 75253
972.286.1940
972.286.5282 Fax
donate@soulsharbordallas.org

To make a financial contribution to Soul’s Harbor click the donate button below.

Thank you so much for your financial consideration. Note, your tax-deductible contributions may also be submitted through PayPal to donate@soulsharbordallas.org.

Published by SoulsHarbor