Adult & Teen Challenge Southern New England Women’s Home is a reprieve from standard treatment options in the midst of the drug epidemic. Located in Taunton, MA, the home is on the front lines in combating addiction. The home is situated on 5.5 acres and is under 8000 square feet of beautiful living space. Since the home opened in 1994, thousands of women have come through the doors to find changed lives.

Our belief is that drug addiction is just a symptom of underlying issues. Over the course of our 10–12 month program, residents face the deep rooted issues that ultimately led to their addiction. The transformation residents experience here is rooted in encountering the life changing love of Christ. We simply offer the environment where broken women can come to have the space to find spiritual, physical, and emotional wholeness.

We believe that addiction does not have to prevent someone from going on to live a passionate, purpose filled life. Regardless of how many promises to yourself and your loved ones you have broken, regardless of how many times you have tried and failed, there is hope.

Deb McDonald

Senior Director, Adult & Teen Challenge Women’s Homes

When Deb heard of her friend Jacqui Strothoff’s long awaited vision for a women’s home, the beauty of God’s plans for her life truly began to unfold. Together, they found the house on Elmwood Avenue that would eventually become the first Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey Women’s Home.

Since the doors of the Adult & Teen Challenge Women’s Home opened in 1994, Deb’s heart has been for the women of this ministry. Throughout her 28 years of service, she has had the privilege of witnessing the miraculous power of God to transform lives in the face of addiction. It has been a tremendous honor and blessing to serve the ministry of Adult & Teen Challenge and she is constantly reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness because while using her to nurture broken women, He ministers to her own heart as a mother who has lost her son to an accidental overdose.

Deb lives in North Providence with her faithful companion; her dog Gloobie.  Both her eldest son, JoJo, and Joe, her husband and love of her life for 50 years have gone on to be with the Lord. Deb bravely continues on with her two loving and supportive adult sons, Tony and Mikey, his wife Gianna, and (much to Deb’s joy!) their new baby daughter, Lily Grace!

Contact via email: dmcdonald@t

Shondi Fabiano

Director, Adult & Teen Challenge Southern New England Women’s Home

Although she grew up in church faith, Shondi’s family split during her teen years, setting her on a path of self-destruction. By age 24, a 12-year crack cocaine and heroin addiction had completely destroyed her life and everyone around me. Her two children were taken from her. She was a disaster.

God began a healing process in Shondi’s life upon arrival at Adult & Teen Challenge in 1998. She had to face not only her addiction, but the inner dysfunction and lies she believed about herself that caused shame, rebellion, and low self-esteem. She found the truth in Jesus as Lord of her life learning who and Whose She was.

After completing the program, she stayed on at Adult & Teen Challenge until 2015, helping others like herself. During this time she married Peter, also a graduate of the program, and they have two beautiful children.

Today, she has the privilege and honor once again to serve at the Adult & Teen Challenge. She is blessed to help other broken women find true freedom in Christ and His purpose for their lives. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!

Contact via email: sfabiano@tcsne.org