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One woman dedicates years to supporting men in recovery, helping them find renewed hope.
When men seeking second chances arrive at The Salvation Army’s Long Beach Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC), they’re welcomed by a team ready to help them rebuild their lives.
Among them is volunteer Joyce Quinn, who for more than 20 years has offered steady kindness and care, helping those in the six-month residential program work toward recovery and independence.
Her involvement goes beyond lending a helping hand—she counsels men one-on-one, working alongside them to address the roots of their struggles to help them reconnect with their families and build a stable future.
“We’re all God’s children, and at some point in our lives, we all face challenges of one kind or another,” Quinn said. “I think we can all be more understanding, loving, and caring toward those who may be struggling a little more.”
Her decades of commitment earned her Volunteer of the Year award at the Long Beach ARC’s Night of Hope, Sept. 13, an annual event that brings together alumni, current program participants, families, and community supporters to celebrate recovery.
During the evening, Quinn was called on stage by Captain Dan Garrett, Long Beach ARC’s Administrator for Development, to accept the award—a moment she remembers with humility.
“I’m already rewarded by seeing men improve their lives and return to their families,” Quinn said. “That’s what’s kept me coming back every day.”
Garrett credits her with helping hundreds of men achieve sobriety. “Her dedication has made a real difference in countless lives,” he said. “She invests love and care into every person she works with.”
“I started seeing such a need for someone to care for people experiencing some of the hardest times in their lives, and I just had a strong desire to help.”
Joyce Quinn, Salvation Army Long Beach ARC volunteer
Quinn’s involvement with the Long Beach ARC began over 25 years ago, after moving to California and seeing how deeply addiction affects individuals and families—a reality she hadn’t encountered growing up in a small town in Montana.
“I started seeing such a need for someone to care for people experiencing some of the hardest times in their lives, and I just had a strong desire to help,” she said.
She had previously worked as a counselor for children who experienced abuse, helping them navigate trauma and rebuild a sense of trust. When she learned the ARC was looking for counselors, she felt God had guided her to exactly where she belonged next.
“I know he led me to The Salvation Army,” Quinn said. “I was just welcomed in, and the ARC quickly became my place of purpose.”
After undergoing extensive training, she joined a team of counselors, each assigned to guide men one-on-one, helping them confront their obstacles and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Quinn often works with residents facing mental health challenges and connects them to psychiatric care. She said most counseling sessions are simply about listening and offering guidance when needed.
“I find that I portray the mother or grandmother figure for many of the men,” she said. “They realize I’m not here to judge or look down on them—I’m here to come alongside them with patience and love.”
Over the years, Quinn has stayed connected with many of the men she has counseled. After completing the program, many return to visit, sharing how her guidance shaped their recovery.
She recalls one individual she supported during her early years of volunteering, who recently returned to The Salvation Army to become a soldier. He told her that her dedication had inspired him to become a positive influence in the lives of others struggling with addiction.
“It’s amazing to see the difference and how men turn their lives around,” Quinn said. “They learn to love themselves and realize they want to help others do the same.”
Beyond individual counseling, Garrett said Quinn has helped build a strong community within the ARC by encouraging men to support one another, celebrate milestones, and hold each other accountable.
“She’s helped the men realize that they don’t have to do any of this alone,” Garrett said. “Her guidance gives them hope for a brighter future.”
While she guides others through recovery, Quinn says the experience is equally meaningful for her, giving her a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment.
“It brings me so much joy to see men return to their families and live a good Christian life,” she said. “It’s so rewarding watching them heal and grow.”
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