“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
– Carlos Castaneda

My daughter attended Safe Harbor treatment center for women in Costa Mesa, California in August, 2005, as an after care program following her stay at Passages to Recovery. This is a residential treatment program located in a neighborhood in Costa Mesa. There were two nicely decorated homes with two to three women (over 18 years of age) per room, and I know at least one more has been added. When my daughter was there, most of the women are 18 to 25 years old, but I know women older attend as well.  Velvet Mangan is the founder of Safe Harbor, and I was very impressed with how she ran her program. She connected well with the girls, being a wonderful inspiration to them all. She also runs three after care homes that the girls can transition to, where they pay rent, work or attend school. There are definite house rules and a weekly AA meeting, and it was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to begin the transition into independent living.  Velvet has put her heart and soul into her program.  I would highly recommend Safe Harbor treatment center and Safe Harbor Sober Living.