Sage's Army welcomes those in need to its new Hempfield location; open house set

Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sage’s army announced that the open house has been postponed.

Megan Riley first came into contact with Carmen Capozzi in August 2016.

He was the catalyst that helped her find sobriety. Now, he’s her boss at her first job as a certified recovery specialist for individuals and families at a new Hempfield center run by Sage’s Army, an organization Capozzi started after his son’s 2012 drug overdose death.

“It came full circle,” Riley said. “I’m truly a product of what Sage’s Army does.”

Riley and other staff members at Sage’s new recovery community center on Route 30 in Greengate Commons are working with anyone who needs help to navigate life in recovery from an addiction. An open house is planned from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at the center, which opened with the help of nearly $600,000 in grant money.

Sage’s Army started after Sage Capozzi, 20, died of a heroin overdose in a Hempfield motel room eight years ago. His father and volunteers staffed a help line (724-863-LIFE) and support groups formed at the organization’s Irwin center, which will remain open.

With the funding, Capozzi said he hired five staff members who will offer mentoring and a variety of life support services for those in recovery at the 2,400-square-foot Hempfield center.

“We’re filling in the gaps,” Capozzi said. “This is a whole new world for Sage’s Army.”

Those services will include working with rehabilitation facilities to find treatment, advocacy and helping people in recovery with life skills and coaching. The new center will have groups centered around grief and families and other gatherings and events to offer support, Capozzi said. Anyone can walk into the center to get help or information. Services will be free.

That type of support is something that is sorely needed when someone is coming out of treatment, Riley said.

“We consider it boots on the ground, the front line,” she said.

She earned her certifications last year after turning her life around with Capozzi’s help. Riley said she stayed in touch with him over the years.

“Now, I’m able to serve and give back and raise the bottom for other people,” she said.