What We Do

Harbor of Hope is a recovery home, located at 3650 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, Iowa, that strives to provide men coming from prison, jail, treatment, or other programs with access to resources in the community. Our goal is to plug clients into the community by providing safe, adequate housing and information on how to utilize the resources Des Moines has to offer.

Harbor of Hope works hard to provide an environment that cultivates positive growth, mutual respect, and a fellowship to attain freedom from drugs and alcohol. We have developed a Lifetime Recovery Program and through that have built strong relationships with providers in the community to ensure our residents have access to the best resources available.

Read our clients’ testimonials to learn more about the impact our program has had on their lives.

The Harbor focuses on five key areas of recovery:
Education
Employment
Financial Training
Reconnecting to family and friends
Physical and mental health

Where We've Been

Harbor of Hope was established in 1984 as a homeless shelter and eventually transitioned into a recovery center for drug addicts in 2005. The original Harbor of Hope building was constructed in Des Moines’ River Bend neighborhood in 1880 and served as the permanent home for Harbor of Hope for 28 years. In 2019, the Harbor of Hope moved to our new home located at 3650 Cottage Grove Ave.

  • 2014

    • 34 applications received
    • 21 clients admitted

  • 2015

    • 76 applications received
    • 32 clients admitted
    • 25 clients completed a six-month commitment

  • 2016

    • 108 applications received
    • 42 clients admitted
    • 28 clients completed a six-month commitment

  • 2017

    • 142 applications received
    • 46 clients admitted
    • 32 clients completed a six-month commitment

Who We Are

Tom Pontow

Executive Director

Brandon Akes

Program Director

Joseph Byrkett

House Manager

The Harbor Board of Directors

  • Barry Freed (President) – Freed Construction
  • Erin Broich (Secretary/Treasurer) – Nestle Foods
  • Pastor Tammy Harris-Brantley – Elpis Christian Fellowship
  • Craig Millhollin – RBC Wealth Management (Retired)
  • Chris Aldinger – Christ the King Parish
  • Frank Chiodo – Cornerstone Government Affairs
  • Brad Young – Young Appraisal
  • Jeff Hackbarth – Rolloffs of Des Moines

Harbor of Hope partners with the following local resources