Transforming Residents into Mentors
In the battle against substance use disorder, many individuals find themselves feeling lost, hopeless, and disconnected from their purpose. However, there is hope for a bright future at Adult & Teen Challenge. This organization not only helps individuals overcome addiction but also empowers them to become leaders and mentors in their families, churches, and communities. Adult & Teen Challenge has had decades of experience equipping people who struggled with substance use disorder to now have leadership skills, Christian values, and opportunities to lead and inspire others.
Healing One Day at a Time
Naturally, it seems impossible for most new residents to even imagine leading a sober life, much less anything more. Adult & Teen Challenge requires anyone who is actively using to go to a detox prior to acceptance into the program. This is to ensure that they are safely monitored by medical professionals through the most acute withdrawal symptoms. However, it often takes weeks for the mind to adjust to being without drugs and alcohol.
During this orientation phase of the program, new residents are paired with a resident big-brother or sister. These are residents who have been in the program for at least 6-months and have proven themselves to be mature and committed to sobriety. Big brothers and sisters will help the new resident by giving them a tour, helping them understand program rules and schedules. Most importantly, they speak from their own experience about the amazing things God has done since they arrived.
New residents will immediately fall into the structure of the program. This is extremely important to people in recovery, who have often lived in chaos during their addiction. This means they follow the same schedule and rules as everyone else in the program. They are required to contribute to daily chores, usually beginning with a simple daily cleaning task. Naturally, newer residents are extended a lot of grace in the beginning.
James 5:19-20 “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Building a Strong Foundation
As residents progress through the program, Adult & Teen Challenge provides them with the tools and resources necessary to build a solid foundation of continued education. This includes continued education courses, clinical and family counseling, group studies, and life coaching. By addressing the underlying causes of addiction and helping individuals develop essential life skills, such as carpentry, auto mechanics, and culinary arts, Adult & Teen Challenge prepares them for success beyond recovery.
This has a myriad of benefits to the psyche and confidence of the residents. It teaches them not only that they are capable of learning new skills, but that with time and practice, they can master them. We believe that hard work plays an integral part in recovery and continued long-term success.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 “What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
Cultivating Leadership Skills
The later phases of the Adult & Teen Challenge program look to develop servant leadership skills in those in recovery. Throughout the mentoring process and experiential learning opportunities, participants develop the confidence and abilities needed to lead themselves and others towards a better future. They learn to make positive choices and serve as role models for those still struggling with addiction.
They are also taught to constantly invest in developing their own character by proactively taking responsibility for their actions and quickly resolving interpersonal conflicts. We believe that effective leaders shepherd others through their actions, and always lead by example with love. When a resident shows these character qualities, they are given more responsibilities as a leader.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
Becoming Mentors and Community Leaders
By the time residents complete the Adult & Teen Challenge program, they are not only equipped with the tools for personal and professional success but also become mentors inspiring others. All residents get ample experience sharing their story with others, and many show an aptitude for public speaking. We believe that this is part of the Great Commission of Christ to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
They are encouraged to share their stories of transformation, provide support to those in recovery, and actively contribute to their local churches and communities. By leveraging their own experiences, these individuals become beacons of hope, offering guidance, understanding, and empathy to those facing similar challenges. This is why so many of our graduates go on to become pillars in their communities.
The ripple effect of Adult & Teen Challenge’s transformative approach extends far beyond the individuals directly involved in the program. As recovered individuals step into leadership roles and serve as mentors, they become catalysts for change within their communities. They inspire others to pursue recovery, challenge societal stigmas surrounding addiction, and foster a supportive environment for those seeking help.
Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
Going beyond the traditional model of addiction treatment, Adult & Teen Challenge empowers individuals struggling with substance use disorder to become leaders and mentors. Through a holistic approach, participants are not only freed from the grip of addiction but also equipped with the skills, values, and confidence to make a lasting impact in their families, their churches, and their communities. Adult & Teen Challenge believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to transform their lives and become a beacon of hope for others. As these individuals embrace their new roles as leaders and mentors, they demonstrate that true transformation is possible and inspire countless others on their own recovery journeys.