Yannick Harris’s path to recovery wasn’t one he chose—at least not initially.
“I definitely wasn’t at a point where I was ready to stop,” Yannick said, recalling his mindset when his journey began. “I didn’t really know what rehab was, other than commercials of Passages Malibu in California. I think I probably kind of looked at it like it would be a vacation, honestly.”
Today, Yannick is celebrating his tenth year of sobriety and has come full circle. He now works as a counselor at The GateHouse—the very place that helped him establish his foundation in recovery. But his journey there was anything but straightforward.
The Unexpected Intervention
Yannick’s struggle with substances began in high school with alcohol. By college, his drinking had “taken off,” as he described it, and he got involved in legal trouble—primarily for selling drugs. His substance use deepened over time, eventually leading to harder drugs.
It was his mother who first confronted him about his addiction.
“I was probably about 40 pounds underweight,” Yannick said. “I was always really close with my mom since I was a kid, so she just asked me what was going on, and something told me to be honest with her.”
His mother responded first with tough love, telling him he couldn’t be around her house if he was using. But shortly after, she called with a different approach: she wanted him to go to rehab. Through connections with his uncle in Florida, arrangements were made for Yannick to enter treatment.
Unfortunately, the Florida experience quickly fell apart. What had been described as a solid treatment plan turned out to be disorganized and unavailable. After arriving in Florida, Yannick discovered there wasn’t actually a bed reserved for him. Though he eventually found a detox center, against medical advice, Yannick left after just three days. He wound up using again on the streets before flying back home to Pennsylvania.
What Yannick didn’t know was that his mother had other plans when he returned from his brief, unsuccessful stint in Florida.
“My mom had arranged for me to go to rehab without me knowing,” he said. “So, I get on the plane back to PA, land at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, and get into the car. I guess I fell asleep because when I woke up, there was this old man there to take me to rehab.”
Finding Structure at The GateHouse
After 103 days at the Conewago Snyder treatment center in Beavertown, PA and 25 days in a partial program at Cove Forge in Williamsburg, PA, Yannick finally arrived at The GateHouse. Still not fully invested in recovery, he was initially drawn to the practical aspects of the program.
“The most enticing thing you hear is that you could start working, you could take family passes, and things like that,” Yannick said. “I wasn’t even necessarily looking at it as, ‘I’m going to continue to work on myself internally.’ I was more so like, ‘Okay, I get one step closer to being done with all this stuff.'”
Despite his initial reluctance, the structure at The GateHouse became the foundation of Yannick’s recovery. Two elements stood out to him: learning healthy communication through The GateHouse’s “pull-up system” and getting involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
“The biggest thing was getting involved in AA, which I actually procrastinated with in a lot of ways until right before it was time for me to go,” he said.
The Turning Point
Yannick’s true recovery journey didn’t begin until he was nearly ready to leave the residential program at The GateHouse. With just two weeks left before moving to a transitional living house, he still hadn’t secured a sponsor or a job—both requirements for the next phase.
“The whole clinical team met with me and pretty much said, ‘Listen, you’re self-sabotaging,'” Yannick recalled. His counselor issued an ultimatum: get a sponsor that night or risk losing his place in the recovery house.
This moment of accountability became the catalyst for Yannick’s genuine recovery. He asked someone who had been giving him rides to meetings to be his sponsor—someone he already had a relationship with.
“That sponsor I called daily,” Yannick said. “I started doing step work. I would say that was the start of my recovery, even though I already had four or five months abstinent at that point.”
Building a New Life
Yannick stayed in the transitional living program at The GateHouse for 15 months, following the structure that had been established and continuing his involvement with AA. His approach was simple but effective.
“I just followed the rules,” he said. “And because I followed the rules, one day I woke up and I was a different person. It’s kind of hard to explain how I really got there, other than I followed the rules and got connected to AA as a result.”
After leaving transitional living, Yannick secured his own apartment and continued working at Our House Cafe, where he had risen to a management position. Eventually, his personal life stabilized as well—he reunited with the mother of his children for a time and regained custody of his kids, who had been living with his mother for several years.
Though his relationship eventually ended, Yannick maintains shared custody of his children, now ages 12 and 11, alternating weeks with their mother.
Coming Full Circle
Yannick’s professional journey led him first to The Retreat, where he progressed from Clinical Aide to Patient Care Coordinator (Case Manager) and ultimately to Behavioral Health Technician Manager for his final three years there. During much of this time, he simultaneously worked part-time at The GateHouse—a position he held for four years before focusing solely on his role at The Retreat.
When The Retreat unexpectedly closed last year, Yannick found himself drawn back to The GateHouse, where he now works as a counselor—helping others on the same journey he once traveled.
“The deciding factor was knowing the people there,” Yannick said. “I knew the person who would be my supervisor. I knew several people who were still there… they’re great people, and I love them all. It was just an easy decision.”
While continuing his work at The GateHouse, Yannick is also pursuing further education at Millersville University, building on the associate degree in social services he earned from HACC. Though he’s certain about his passion for social work, he’s considering moving beyond direct client work to focus on policy and grant writing.
“I would actually like to get involved more on the macro level,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Yannick acknowledges the many people who helped him along the way—from his mother who set firm boundaries, to the staff who held him accountable, to the AA members who showed up offering rides to meetings.
For Yannick, what began as merely following rules to avoid homelessness transformed into a life of meaning, connection, and service.
“Sometimes recovery finds you,” Yannick said, “even when you’re not looking for it.”
The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living, or residential extended care programs. If you’re looking for help now, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or reach out to us today to get started.
Dr. John Conahan brought 30 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Addictions Counselor to our board. His expertise in substance use disorder treatment and commitment to recovery services has been invaluable to our growth and development.
Dr. Kathryn Gregoire brought insight to The GateHouse from her experience chairing Millersville University’s Social Work Department. Her extensive research on the connection between child abuse and addiction, combined with her leadership in social service organizations, helped shape our comprehensive approach to recovery.
Laurie Bodish leveraged her 30+ years of corporate finance experience and certification as a Trust and Financial Advisor to strengthen our organization’s financial foundation and strategic planning processes.
Mark Walmer contributed his legal expertise as CEO of PA Pardon Services, bringing a deep understanding of second chances and rehabilitation that aligned perfectly with our mission of supporting recovery and renewal.
Bri Callahan (Board President) – Co-founder of Winston Health, Bri brings unique healthcare industry insights gained from her experience in health insurance and operations management. Her passion for continuous improvement and industry innovation drives her work in developing solutions that enhance physical, mental, and financial health outcomes.
Robert Wummer (Vice President) – An Executive and Ontological Coach with an MBA from LaSalle University, Robert brings over 25 years of executive leadership experience. His background includes significant achievements in the building and construction industry, coupled with a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring. As an adjunct professor at Albright College, he continues to share his expertise in management and leadership development.
Kenneth Falk (Treasurer) – A semi-retired partner who is now of-counsel at Ross Buehler Falk & Company, Ken offers substantial experience in taxation, business acquisitions, and general management counsel. His expertise spans from small businesses to large entities, with particular strength in financing, mergers and acquisitions, and succession planning. His York College education and decades of experience since 1985 provide valuable financial oversight to our organization.
Gregory Funk (Secretary) – Lead Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Greg brings over 45 years of ministry experience to our board. His journey includes church planting, youth ministry, and senior pastoral roles across multiple communities. His master’s degree from Regent University and dedication to community service perfectly coincide with our mission of spiritual restoration.
Tim Martin – With nearly 40 years in real estate and land development. Tim brings extensive experience in property management and community development. His involvement with Habitat for Humanity and the Chamber of Commerce demonstrates his commitment to community service, while his expertise in residential and investment properties provides valuable perspective to our facilities management.
Ryan Vandenberg – As Senior Security Engineer at Knack, Ryan contributes crucial technological expertise to our organization. His background in information security and software development, combined with his Millersville University education, helps ensure our organization stays current with modern security and technology needs.
Ann Woodland – A Pennsylvania licensed psychologist and graduate of the Gestalt Training Institute of Philadelphia, Ann served alongside outgoing members, whom she credits with making many contributions to The GateHouse. As she continues her term, Ann brings valuable clinical expertise to our board. Her approach combines cognitive-behavioral and Gestalt therapeutic strategies, enriching our understanding of mental health aspects in recovery.
Hannah M. Schroer – An associate at Barley Snyder specializing in employment law, Hannah brings unique legal insights from her experience as a Judicial Clerk and her work with various community service organizations. Her cum laude achievements from both Villanova Law and Rutgers University, combined with her commitment to community service, make her an invaluable addition to our board.
Marcy Nechemias – An IBM Data Analyst with over two decades of experience, Marcy brings sophisticated analytical capabilities to our organization. Her extensive background in system analysis, software pricing, and technical support provides a unique perspective for our strategic planning and operational efficiency.
Auria Bradley – As Associate Vice President of Workforce & Continuing Education, Auria contributes 21 years of experience in program management, academic advising, and community college administration. Her bilingual capabilities and expertise in mentoring and career development strengthen our ability to serve diverse populations and develop effective programs.