Sharpsburg ministry puts new spin on addiction recovery in effort to heal 'whole person'

Yoga, finance classes and spiritual mentoring are part of an expanded roster of offerings meant to heal “the whole person” at the Addiction Recovery Ministry in Sharpsburg.

“We realize that addiction is physical, mental and spiritual,” said Rosemarie Haas, director of the agency along Ninth Street. “We’re trying to help on all three ends and we’re really ramping up our programs.”

Open to all ages and denominations, the group is working to meet a dire need, she said. Activities are free and offered at the John Paul 1 Center across from Madonna of Jerusalem Church.

Next month, the group will kick off a slate of new programs to welcome those in need of spirituality, mentorship or socialization.

On Sept. 20, a resource fair will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with experts from the Pittsburgh area recovery community. Attendees can learn about resources to help with employment, sober living, housing and more. Groups scheduled to be on-hand include Cedar House Recovery, Garden Home Ministries, Veterans Place, DreamLife Recovery, FamilyLinks and PA Connecting Community, among others.

Featured speakers at the event will include State Trooper Kalee Barnhart, Dr. Janet Astle and Sharpsburg Councilman Corey Ochai.

In October, the ministry will start monthly self-help classes – first up will be meditation, followed by mindful eating.

Haas said there will be half-day retreats at the John Paul 1 Center this fall, as well as drop-in days twice a week where people can find a friendly face to play a board game with or have a cup of coffee.

“There’s no specific faith or religion, it’s just a way to be around people and talk about things,” she said.

Founded in 2019 in Sharpsburg by the late Rev. Michael Decewicz, Addiction Recovery Ministry grew its programming for years from St. Franicis of Assisi in Harmar. In a return to the borough, Haas took the reins and is committed to carrying on Decewicz’s legacy.

With a variety of weekly meetings that include Al-Anon and Narcotics Anonymous, the group serves nearly 1,000 people a year.

Brother Joseph Dudek, spiritual advisor, said the ministry is impactful because everyone’s path of recovery is unique.

“Although our ministry is based on well-established recovery principles of acceptance, a strong personal relationship with God, community and service, we encourage each person to discern and value God’s unique path for their recovery,” Dudek said. “We offer support that best serves that end.”

Detox and treatment are only the beginning of the journey, he said.

“We hope that the values we model and embrace will sustain recovering addicts for a lifetime.”

Haas is planning to open a clothes closet where people can shop for free. She plans to continue family support programs and fun events like trivia, bingo and cornhole.

“Everything is free,” she said. “People don’t have money to spend on these things, but it’s important to their well-being.”

Also available at the center is a sober game room that opened last year, where people can hang out and play arcade games, pool, air hockey, ping pong and darts.

That amenity appears to be popular. Haas said she can hear people laughing in the game room and it makes her feel good.

“I think we’re making a difference,” she said. “More people are reaching out to us. They’re starting to come from outside the Lower Valley.”

To learn more, call 412-378-9290.