Harbor House Resource Center

05/08/2025

For those of you that know, this is my daughter, Madi.

For those of that don’t know, this is my daughter, Madi.

For those of you that know, you know.

For those of you that don’t know, she is an addict.

I have been on this journey with her since she was 14 years old. She will celebrate her 20th birthday in 37 days. Which is ironic because I was 20 when I had her. We are 6 years and 3 rehabs in. Read on.

Did you know that addiction is classified in the DSM-5? It’s a mental illness that lives in the brain stem: the same brain stem that serves a critical role in regulating certain involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat and breathing. Pause on that. Addicts feel that they need their drug of choice (DOC) the same way they feel they need to breathe. Pause on that.

Did you know that our society treats addiction as a moral issue and pawns it off on law enforcement to “control”? The average stay in jail is 14 days or less. Where addicts are left to detox alone…outside of medical supervision.
Did you know the detox process can be violent and result in death if not monitored by medical professionals?
The addict is then released at the time their serotonin levels are at their lowest, leading to a high rate of relapse. It’s a pun to say this is criminal. It takes an average of 14-16 months of sobriety for an addict’s brain to balance serotonin levels to that of a neuro-typical brain. Did you know that? Did you know that most insurances will only pay for

02/06/2025

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is hosting a regional forum to discuss and shape our advocacy priorities for the upcoming 2025 budget and legislative sessions. Come learn more about our advocacy efforts, and share your thoughts on what is needed! FREE RAFFLE: We will give out an ARR Conference Ticket!
Sign up to get a seat on the bus to attend our Annual Lobby Day in Albany on March 4th!

Friday February 7th at 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Buffalo & Erie Co. Public Library (Central Meeting Room)
1 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, NY 14203

For more information contact:
Adam Selon: [email protected]
Cornelius Delaney: [email protected] Luke Sikinyi [email protected]

10/16/2024

10/11/2024

Save the date: Mack Mack presents Hope for the Homeless Thanksgiving Edition. November 27, 2024 4-7pm at Empowerment Academy

07/18/2024

Jim Carrey once said: "Imagine struggling with being homeless and someone comes with a camera in your face to give you a meal and you have to take it... Imagine that feeling.
Please, stop doing that. If you go to help someone, do it with kindness and not your ego."

01/31/2024

One Goal Coalition Warming Event 10am-3pm on Friday February 2, 2024 at the Johnnie B Wiley Center 1100 Jefferson Ave. This event will provide FREE winter weather clothing including: coats, gloves, hats and much more. There will be free food and beverages.

Presented by One Goal Coalition in partnership with WNY Coalition for the Homeless and other organizations.

01/05/2024

A little light shed on our Harbor House Resource Center

12/09/2023

I received an email today from someone asking if he could help our homeless guests by arranging haircuts, clothing donations, and “spoken words”. We don’t get too may offers like that. The people we serve don’t tend to draw on the heartstrings of society. Intrigued, I replied to Marquell. His story - 20 years ago he landed at Harbor House Resource Center, our program that invites homeless people in for a cup of coffee, a safe space, and access to essential resources (a shower, laundry, phone charging, some food, and connections to counseling and other social services). We’re open 9pm-7am 24/7 when other services and supports are closed.

Back then, Marquell was a young adult left bruised, scarred, and homeless by a fragmented and inadequate foster care system. He had little hope or direction. The staff at Harbor House offered Marquell assistance in connecting with housing and other needed services. They conveyed hope, unconditional regard (and a cup of coffee).

Today, Marquell is a business owner, a poet, a promoter, and a human brimming with compassion. I’m so grateful he reached out. And I am reminded to maintain hope. Because hope and support (and a cup of coffee) is what Marquell needed on his path toward success in his life.

You just never know how one encounter 20 years ago can impact the trajectory of one’s life. I’m so glad the door to Harbor House was open that night, and the coffee was hot, and the staff were ready to listen and treat a homeless person with dignity.

I found the following spoken word piece by Marquell where he shares about his journey. Give it a listen. It’s beautiful!

Marquell and I have plans to meet on Monday (for coffee) to talk more about his interest in helping other homeless folks. See you soon Marquell!




Restoration Society, Inc.

, CASHAPP @ MACKPRESENTZ , FACEBOOK @ MACK MACK,

10/31/2023

UB HEALS free foot care clinic at our Code Blue Buffalo Winter Shelter at 586 Genesee Street. 5-9pm Friday November 17th.