August 11, 2005

Changing lives

Teen Challenge brings hope to troubled teens, adults and children

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

The outside of the Teen Challenge Thrift Store on Winchester Boulevard, between Campbell Avenue and Cherry Lane, looks like any other second-hand shop. But what goes on inside is truly remarkable. Lives are transformed.

Frank makes sure everything is in its place at the Teen Challenge Thrift Store on Winchester Boulevard. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“It’s wonderful seeing people’s lives change,” said Teen Challenge NorCal/Nevada Director of Development Dana Rowe. “By the time they come to us the person feels so hopeless about their pain. Here they realize people love them and their lives begin to change. They can break the cycle of abuse.”

Teen Challenge originated in 1958 by David Wilkerson. He went to New York City to help drug addicts and gang members. Since then the faith based organization has expanded to more than 130 centers in the United States and over 150 centers in other countries.

Teen Challenge NorCal/Nevada began in San Jose in 1971. It operates one of only two women and children’s centers in the country and the only family center. The thrift store opened its doors in 2002 and gives students of Teen Challenge skills needed to work retail and customer service. It has a total of eight centers in northern California and Nevada.

Teen Challenge is “A group of residential programs providing ministry to youth, adults, families and children who have life controlling problems including drug abuse, alcoholism, behavioral reactions to sexual and physical problems,” according to the group’s brochure.

The organization is a one-year residential program in which drug addicts, alcoholics, gang members, victims of abuse, dysfunctional families or any other life-controlled person can meet the Lord and learn to follow him. Teen Challenge helps individuals in spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational issues.

Programs
The Teen Challenge programs encompass the following types of ministry:

Phase I – Evangelism and outreach. Teen Challenge centers conduct evangelism and outreach by street meetings, jail and prison services, hotlines, substance abuse prevention, counseling and literature distribution.

Phase II – Crisis Intervention and referral. Residential Teen Challenge centers provide short-term places to stay for those with life-controlling problems to deal with an immediate crisis.

Phase III – Induction. This beginning residential discipleship process involves three to four months of Bible study, character development and middle school or high school for the adolescent program.

Phase IV – Training. The eight to twelve month residential program involves Christian growth and development, academics and vocational improvement.

Phase V – Re-entry. The residential Teen Challenge centers provide reintegration into society, employment and Christian fellowship.

Thrift Store
The Campbell Teen Challenge Thrift Store, there is another in Concord, is one of the ways that the organization helps people learn employment skills and raise funds for the non-profit. Participants commit to a one-year program where they receive life skills to create successful transitions into a life substance free and with new methods to deal with problems.

Students and employees take a break for a group photo at the Teen Challenge Thrift Store recently.

Re-entering the work force is strengthened by experience in retailing, working with people, picking up donations, setting up displays, etc. at the shop. Many of the employees have attended or in the process of the program. Others are committed to Teen Challenge’s mission and join as employees or volunteers.

Below are some examples of employees at the Campbell Teen Challenge Thrift Store who have been helped by Teen Challenge.

Allison
Allison had three driving under the influence convictions and was facing three years in prison. She knew all about drugs, alcohol, gangs and unhealthy relationships. A concerned probation officer said “you’ve never had any help” and sent her to a Teen Challenge center. After two months, her children joined her, and now she works at the Campbell thrift store.

“Teen Challenge helped me to be responsible in many ways,” said the clear-eyed, attractive 21-year-old woman studying for her GED and working at the thrift store. “I am a loving, caring person and mom now. I have absolutely no desire to go back to the lifestyle I came from. You can grow from your mistakes.”

Susanna
Susanna grew up in El Salvador under her grandmother’s care. At 12, she joined her mother in Monterey, Calif. It was difficult for the young girl to adjust to a new country. By 15, she started using drugs and alcohol with her high school friends.

“Pot, alcohol, smoking, cocaine,” said Susanna who at 21-years-old is now the manager of the recently expanded thrift store. “Whatever was available, I wanted to try it.”

Susanna was expelled from high school and asked her father for help. That is when Teen Challenge entered her life. She has been part of the program for three years.

“There’s always a second chance no matter what,” said Susanna whose future plans include continuing school and a career in decorating. “There’s a place like Teen Challenge to help you out.”

Frank
“I landed in jail over a disagreement with my wife,” said 33-year-old Frank. “Now I work here and my wife works at the women’s center.”

Frank, his wife and there three children were at the end of the road by the time they reached Teen Challenge. Both had grown up in dysfunctional families with parents who abused drugs. With no life skills and a growing substance abuse problem, domestic abuse began to disintegrate their marriage.

They lost their home and began living in motels. As the cycle continued, Frank did jail time. He knew he could not continue. When his wife and children went to a homeless shelter, Frank entered the ministry of Teen Challenge. Now, the family is together and “more in love than ever before.”

“My life has totally changed,” said Frank. “My family is restored. Teen Challenge helped me grow and have a better relationship with God.”

Hope for the future
And so with the help of others who have walked the path of drug abuse, gangs and life problems, Teen Challenge helps those who have lost all hope.

“Many of our students at Teen Challenge were victims of sexual abuse, abandonment and rejection,” said Rowe.

“Drugs and alcohol are only a few of the manifestations of trauma. The only apparent hope is to God. Here at Teen Challenge, we are getting to the root of the problem and seeing victory. It is not an easy task. But nothing good comes easy.”

Teen Challenge has a 70- to 86 percent cure rate for those individuals who finish the one year commitment by independent studies shown on their Web site. That is much higher than most drug and alcohol recovery programs.

To volunteer or donate items to Teen Challenge call (408) 445-0661 or go to www.teenchallenge.net.