Salvation Army adult rehab center in Long Beach gives veterans, other men a 2nd chance

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- What would you do if you were given a second chance?

That's the question posed by the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center in Long Beach.

"It really takes a heart of wanting to change. A heart of desire to get out of the situation that you're going through or you're in. So if you come with a willing heart, it'll take you far," said Capt. Dan Garrett with the Salvation Army.

The center offers free, six-month and one-year programs that include therapy, anger-management classes and counseling.

"The men come in broken and what we try to do is walk alongside them and build them up to where when they leave here they can be a successful citizen in society," said Garrett.

Right now, more than 70 men, including veterans, are part of the center.

Among them is John, a navy and air force veteran who wants to keep his identity private until he completes the program in just days. He says the rehabilitation program has allowed him to regain control of his life.

"Not only do I get to be me again, but I get to be me for other people. That's huge."

The Salvation Army says there are countless stories of people needing help. They want to let the community know there are resources available. All they have to do is reach out.