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Dennis Kopczak attended The Salvation Army’s Night of Hope fundraising event in fall 2024, anticipating a meaningful evening of fellowship and reflection as the Long Beach Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) community gathered to celebrate lives transformed through recovery.
What Kopczak didn’t expect was to be called to the stage by Long Beach ARC program administrators Captains Taneya and Dan Garrett and honored as the ARC Alumni of the Year.
“I was completely shocked,” Kopczak said. “It reminded me just how far I’ve come.”
The award honors Kopczak’s dedication to supporting fellow alumni and strengthening the recovery community through his role as president of the Long Beach ARC Alumni Association.
With his involvement, the association has grown from just three members to 60 over the past two years, with members now gathering weekly for fellowship and meetings.
“Dennis has remained committed to building a community that supports and empowers alumni to stay strong in their recovery,” Taneya Garrett said. “Staying connected is a key part of sustaining long-term recovery.”
Before joining the six-month ARC program in 2019, Kopczak said he felt lost. He was caught in cycles of addiction, newly released from jail and facing homelessness.
“I just felt comfortable, welcomed and loved. I knew I was in the right place.”
Dennis Kopczak
“With God by my side, I stepped into the Long Beach ARC, but I was scared,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect or what that change would look like.”
While waiting for intake, he said an ARC beneficiary sat with him and offered comfort—he was one of the first individuals to show him kindness and care in a long time.
“I just felt comfortable, welcomed and loved,” he said. “I knew I was in the right place.”
That moment marked a turning point for Kopczak, motivating him to complete the program and become a leader in the community who was dedicated to helping others experience the same support and belonging.
“Getting back into a routine was huge for me,” he said. “Addiction strips that away, and everything becomes chaotic. Having structure again helped me feel stable.”
After graduating from the ARC, Kopczak saw a full-time position open at The Salvation Army Bell Warehouse in Bell, California, and applied, seeking a fresh start. Today, he coordinates operations there, overseeing the storage and sorting of Christmas and seasonal donations.
When he’s not working, he stays engaged with the Long Beach ARC community by attending ARC events and graduations, sharing his testimony and offering guidance to others.
“The guys know they can reach out to me anytime,” Kopczak said. “It’s all about being there for one another and making sure no one feels alone.”
Kopczak aims to help ARC graduates take their next steps by connecting them with job opportunities through The Salvation Army and other local organizations.
He also joined the Long Beach Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP), a six-month community development course. Now halfway through, he’s learning to apply for grants and organize resource fairs to better support ARC alumni and the community.
He said he’s already in the process of planning a job fair alongside The Salvation Army Long Beach Red Shield.
“It’s important for guys to feel hopeful about their next steps,” Kopczak said. “I try to show them that opportunities are waiting for them and that they have what it takes to succeed.”
His work within the Long Beach community and his recognition as Alumni of the Year caught the attention of Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who honored him with an additional award for his commitment to community building in October 2024, following the Night of Hope event.
“Dennis consistently demonstrates commitment and leadership in helping alumni and the community,” Garrett said. “He’s passionate about supporting people along their journey.”
For Kopczak, it’s about guiding others to discover the hope and courage to rebuild.
“I just tell people to love yourself and give yourself time,” he said. “Everything won’t happen at once, but stick with it and see what you can achieve.”
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