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After struggling with alcohol addiction and hitting rock bottom, Alex Uhl found hope and recovery through The Salvation Army Denver Harbor Light Center and now stands as a mentor to others.
Alex Uhl said he knew his family loved him, but they could only love him from a distance as alcohol abuse took over his life.
He came close to losing his apartment. He lost close friends, and, most of all, himself. He said he had tried to quit drinking, but nothing stuck.
“I was spending all of my money on alcohol—I had lost control of my life,” Uhl said. “I would go off the handle, then come back and apologize. The people in my life got tired of the back and forth.”
One night in February 2023, he hit a breaking point. He looked up and said aloud, “God, what do I need to do?”
The following day, his parents visited to tell him about The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Denver, a free residential program serving individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Having never tried a rehabilitation program before, he said he felt God was leading him to where he needed to be. He researched the program and scheduled an intake interview.
“It got to the point where I was willing to try anything and everything just to get this addiction under control,” he said. “I wasn’t looking for a cure-all, but I needed help managing what I was struggling with.”
During the six-month program, participants receive guidance through case management, life skills development, and spiritual and emotional support. After graduating, participants can remain in Harbor Light transitional housing as they continue to build a stable recovery foundation.
“Having a go-to person while someone is in recovery and breaking bad habits is vital. Through mentoring and coaching, individuals gain new perspectives from those who have faced similar obstacles.”
Jeffrey Morrison, Lead Resident Manager
The Harbor Light Center currently has 71 participants: 41 in treatment and 30 in transitional living. All participants work with case managers to prepare for future employment and permanent housing.
Lead Resident Manager at the Harbor Light Center Jeffrey Morrison first met Uhl during his intake and has continued to mentor him. As a program graduate himself, Morrison knows how critical support systems are in recovery.
“Having a go-to person while someone is in recovery and breaking bad habits is vital,” Morrison said. “Through mentoring and coaching, individuals gain new perspectives from those who have faced similar obstacles.”
Uhl said his newfound support system provided a sense of community and understanding.
“Being around other people who were struggling or had struggled with the same things I was was comforting—it’s what I needed,” Uhl said. “I realized I’m not the only one going through this; I’m not the only one feeling this way in life.”
Uhl said the social support was eye-opening, and gave him hope that he, too, could reach recovery and support others.
“Jeff became a trusted mentor to me,” Uhl said. “I knew he was there to listen, and he’d drop a knowledge bomb almost every day that taught me something new.”
He said their continued communication kept him accountable and on track, providing the steady support he needed to stay focused on his recovery goals.
Uhl graduated from the program in August 2023 and remained on-site in transitional housing while working a new job at Coors Field in Denver.
When a Resident Manager position at the Harbor Light Center opened in February 2024, he knew it was the opportunity he’d been waiting for.
“The program saved my life,” he said. “I believe in it wholeheartedly and wanted to demonstrate to other men that recovery is achievable.”
Now, as Resident Manager, Uhl oversees program participants, ensuring they adhere to rules and stay on track. Through this role, he has built connections with participants and become a role model to others.
He said this often involves offering a listening ear and providing guidance or perspective when asked. “I always reassure them that whatever they’re feeling is valid and a normal part of the journey,” he said.
Witnessing men trust him and view him as a role model has kept him grounded in long-term recovery, Uhl said. “I just want to keep showing these guys that it’s possible to not be chained down by addiction anymore.”
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