Alexa V.
Growing up I experienced a lot of chaos. There was a lot of pressure on me as the oldest to take care of my two youngest brothers. The first time I had alcohol was when I was 13 and by the time I was 15 years old I was doing cocaine and marijuana. As an adult I progressed to harder drugs in order to cope with past trauma. I did get off of drugs and was clean for almost a year but unfortunately, I relapsed on alcohol. I came to the Home of Hope to be sober, work on my relationship with the Lord, and to have restoration with my family. While here I hope to accomplish these things.
Favorite Scripture:
Angel A.
My childhood was good and bad. It was just myself, my brother, and my mom. Though my mom and I didn’t really get along she did try her best to be both mom and dad, but at the time it was hard because she didn’t know the love of God. It wasn’t until she met my stepfather that she discovered how to love her kids through Christ. When I was a senior in high school my family had a Christmas Eve party and my step cousin offered me an edible and a hit off her vape pen. That was the first time I got high and I enjoyed it. My parents also let my best friend stay with us temporarily and she also had different vapes on her. We would spend every night getting high and that’s when I became heavily dependent on smoking. I chose drugs because it made me happy, careless, and it helped to numb my anxiety and emotions. Smoking finally caught up with me though and I had an anxiety attack twice in one week. My mom told me about the Home of Hope before, so I decided to give them a call so I could start bettering myself. I want to learn how to overcome my addiction and give all my struggles to God. I want to learn more about myself and continue to have this fire in my heart for the Lord.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Angel J.
From what I can remember, growing up I had a pretty normal childhood. I grew up in a pretty big family and my parents were good examples of the type of love and marriage I wanted for myself. I started drinking and doing drugs socially in middle school and I didn’t see it as a big problem at the time. After I had my son in 2015, I started smoking heroin and meth with my boyfriend. After a while our addictions ended up tearing our relationship apart. In October of 2023 I was arrested and I came to realize that I could no longer out run the Lord. He has been calling me to Him for years now and at first, I thought that I had my life under control but I was clearly mistaken. I’m hoping to complete this program and by doing so I would like to build my relationship back up with my family and son.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:19 For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Annastasia O.
I grew up in a broken home. My mom was abusive and toxic and I was beaten every day. I lived in fear of what would happen next. I felt so alone, abandoned and rejected and could never understand what was going on. My addiction began around age eighteen smoking weed and drinking alcohol. I have cerebral palsy and so it helped with the pain. It made me forget the pain of what I was going through both mentally and physically. It made me feel numb. What brought me to Teen challenge was the fact that I wanted something different than what I had been experiencing and I heard good things and knew they were centered on God and that’s what I wanted. I hope to grow to be a better and stronger person out of this with God and learn how to trust Him in the process.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Aretha N.
As a child I remember being alone with no adult supervision most days. I learned at an early age to care for myself along with other children of the family. I was introduced to weed, alcohol, and crack cocaine at the age of 13 by my older sister. Shortly after that, I was then taught how to prostitute to supply my crack addiction. I now know that I used drugs and alcohol to numb my pain from self-hate, rejection, depression, and loneliness. Two years ago, I relapsed after having five and a half years of sobriety. With no desire to live paired with homelessness and a heavy meth addiction I knew that I needed to get help. Fearing that my daughter would be removed from my care by DCS I chose to enter Teen Challenge immediately. I’m here to finally allow God to heal my wounded soul and to return back to my first love so I can live for God.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Ashley C.
My childhood was good and even amazing at times but my mother was young when she had me so she was learning herself. Growing up I never knew who I was or who I was meant to be. I was abused and taken advantage of for a few years of my childhood and it was hard because I didn’t know who I could trust or tell. At the age of 14 I started smoking weed. As I got older, I started using cocaine because I felt that I wasn’t good enough for the people in my life and using drugs helped me to not feel my pain or my emotions. After a while I got clean and I haven’t used cocaine for the past 10 years. I have a daughter who is almost a year old and I was with her father for about 5 years until he got hooked on meth. He turned into someone I no longer knew and after a while CPS got involved and we ended up losing our daughter. I want to forgive the people who have done me wrong and I want to become closer to God so I can be the best mother I can be for my daughter.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Briana G.
My life growing up was chaotic and full of abuse. I never felt safe by my loved ones, friends and family. The addiction started when I was 17 with a bunch of boys and my child’s father. I used drugs to prove to my parents what an addict looked like when I was a teenager. But as an adult, I used drugs to please my child’s father. Further down the road I used drugs and alcohol to get motivated to do anything and deal with my emotions and abuse I went through as a child. I mainly used drugs and alcohol to help me get through the abusive relationship with my child’s father. I got tired of being part of an abusive relationship cycle and I wanted to fully embrace gentle parenting. I realized I was losing touch with myself and my daughter. I’ve never felt more ready to be here and ready to feel safe and trust God again. I hope to accomplish an unbreakable relationship with Jesus Christ and my daughter! I hope to accomplish gentle parenting fully and learn to deal with my emotions and mental health. I also hope to accomplish knowing what healthy relationships look like with friends’ parents and intimate relationships through Jesus Christ!
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Christina R.
Growing up, I went to church as a teenager, but I moved out on my own at just 15 years old. My addiction started when I was a freshman in high school. What ultimately brought me to the Home of Hope was the repeated cycle of a toxic relationship with my spouse and meth. I used it to numb the emotions I didn’t want to face. During my time in this program, I want to develop the discipline and strength that will lead to success in my walk with Christ. My goal is to break free from the past and build a foundation that allows me to grow spiritually and emotionally.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. And whose hope is in the Lord.
Crystal M.
Growing up was challenging—filled with good and bad, happiness and sadness. I was a loving and caring person, yet I also experienced hurt, failure, and disrespect, both from the world and myself. I never felt like I truly fit in. My first addiction was meth, which controlled my life for ten years. But since coming here, I’ve begun to find meaning and hope. I used to run from my problems, avoiding anything too difficult to face. Even now, I’m still searching for answers as to why. I once gave God only a little, calling on Him when I needed help but still putting my own desires first. Now, I want to truly find myself—to understand joy, love, and, most importantly, to know God’s presence spiritually and mentally.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Crystal O.
Growing up, I was a shy child who depended on my mom a lot and I loved my brother. Most of the time, I was alone, but I searched for ways to have fun. I remember the difficult times, too. My struggle with addiction began in high school. I used substances to escape bad memories and to feel good. I was drawn to the way they made me sleep or just sit and think. At the same time, I loved laughing with friends and holding onto moments of joy. What ultimately brought me here was my suicide attempt. I had placed everything else before God, which led me down a path of confusion and darkness. In this program, I hope to grow spiritually, develop discipline, and learn to forgive myself so I can move forward. I want to fully accept God’s love and overcome the hypocrisy that once clouded my faith. I know I have misrepresented God’s name in the past, but I am ready to change.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 5:8 - "But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Denelle V.
Growing up I had a decent childhood. I was always outgoing, free spirited, happy, fun, loving and caring. My addiction began with my first drink of alcohol at age 13, then I was introduced to meth at 16 years old. I believe I used because I wanted to, it was all fun until life got real. I came to Teen Challenge to get closer to God and continue the transformation and restoration process and allow him to finish the work he began in me. While in this program I hope to gain better structure, communication skills, and have restoration and be reunited with my kids and to be free from my past!
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:14 “I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.”
Desiree L.
Growing up I didn’t have anyone to show me how to manage my emotions or be a responsible adult. My dad did the best he could by raising me with the tools he had available to him but he also wasn’t taught these things by his parents. I’ve recently become a mother and I want to be able to provide the best life possible for my son. I came to the program because I know people who have completed the program themselves who now live happy, successful lives. While I’m here, I hope to obtain the life skills I need to be the best woman I can be for myself and my family.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Ebony B.
Life growing up for me wasn’t easy with me being raised by my family because both my parents were addicts. My aunts and cousins did the best they could to take care of me financially, however I lacked receiving emotional support. As I got older, I began looking for that support in bad friends and drugs. My addiction began in my early 20’s. I was initially curious to find out what it was about drugs that made my mom never come back to me. I later justified using drugs in order to stay thin because the industry I was in required it. When my life became unmanageable, I realized my addiction served me no purpose. After being in recovery I found out my life can become unmanageable even without the use of drugs if I don’t include God in all that I do. While here, I hope to gain a closer relationship with God, self and other healthy individuals who put their spiritual health first.
Favorite Scripture: John 15:4 “So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.”
Erika T.
I was fortunate to grow up in a loving, happy, and fun environment. I loved growing up with my brothers and all of my cousins. My addiction began at the age of 12 when I started smoking weed. Then at 14 I started drinking alcohol and by the time I was in my 20’s I was binge drinking. When I got into my 30’s I was drinking on a regular basis but I always had alcoholic tendencies from the beginning. At first, I drank because everyone else was doing it and it was socially acceptable at family functions. My heavy drinking started because I was sad, broken, and had no idea who I really was. I heard about Teen Challenge from a friend that went through and had successfully completed the program. He has been sober for 5 years and has turned his life over to Christ. I wanted what he had. I want to complete my 12-month program and heal back together. I want to leave here knowing who I am, have confidence, and to love myself the way God does and to have a personal relationship with Christ.
Favorite Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Gracie M.
Life growing up was hard financially. My mother divorced my father and my father was a drug addict. My struggle began with mental health problems at the age of 15. My parents started noticing it as well and sent me to multiple mental hospitals trying to get me some help. I also struggled with abandonment and acceptance since my dad left. I believe I struggled with these things because I felt I wasn’t good enough and could and would never be accepted by anyone and I thought I would never be happy. One day at church, my worship pastor began to tell me about the Home of Hope and knew of the many lives that had been changed/transformed going through the program. I decided to give it a try and he brought me here. While in the program I hope to learn more about the Lord and who he is and to learn my true identity in Christ and become a better Christian.
Favorite Scripture: Psalms 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell In the house of the Lord forever.
Hana D.
I grew up in a normal happy family until my father passed away when I was 15 years old. Since then, my mother has tried her hardest to raise me and my brothers. I’ve been drinking on and off ever since I was 20 years old but I would say that my addiction actually began 3 years ago. I was using drugs and alcohol to help me sleep and to lessen my anxiety. When I get anxious, I start pulling my hair out. What brought me here to Teen Challenge Home of Hope was that I wanted a stronger relationship with God. I also wanted to have sobriety and find healthy ways I can ease my anxiety.
Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jaiden G.
I grew up moving around a lot due to both my biological dad and stepdad being in the military. They worked constantly, and with my parents divorced, I was often left to raise myself. My addiction started after my first real breakup. I was suicidal and began selling my body regularly because I felt like I wasn’t good enough. In some way, I believed my addiction gave me a sense of purpose, like I mattered when I could bring satisfaction to others. What ultimately brought me to the Home of Hope was God. I also knew someone who had been through the program, and they had a joy I had always longed for. Now, I’m here to build a stronger relationship with God and gain the life skills I need to thrive in the real world.
Favorite Scripture: Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Jannessa C.
Growing up I didn’t have a mom and I lost my dad at the age of 10 so I had to be raised by my grandparents and because of that I was struggling. At the age of 8 I was introduced to cigarettes but the addiction truly began when I was 13. I used drugs and alcohol to deal with stress, trauma, physical and emotional pain. I came to Home of Hope because I was done with doing drugs and being abused. I hope to get closer to God, work through my past trauma, and start a new life.
Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Julia H.
Growing up, life for me was a mixed bag of good and rough. I was loved dearly and punished severely by my dad who was also my pastor. My older sister eclipsed me with her many talents. Seven years into my life, my twin brothers arrived. My addiction began in my mid 20’s. I began drinking and drugging on a social basis, but it took a turn to isolated drinking and marijuana use within a couple of years. My relationship with alcohol and marijuana abolished my insecurities and gave me the “voice” I had silenced for as long as I could remember. I know that my longing to know God more intimately is ultimately what brought me to Teen Challenge. As a result, God opened and closed the doors to guide me here. My top priority while being here is to increase my knowledge of God, to hear His voice more intimately, and to deny this flesh of its demands to be comfortable. I want to be obedient to God and be victorious in my Christian walk.
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name, and your Redeemer is the Holy one of Israel.”
Laura S.
My childhood was confusing and chaotic. My dad was an alcoholic and that made his actions very unpredictable. He would mentally and physically torcher my mom and I, so after a while my mom became detached from reality and became codependent on me. Both of my parents were workaholics and because of that I always felt so alone. I’ve had many addictions such as self-mutilation that started at the age of 7, then I moved on to men and drugs at the age of 15. By the time I was 21 I was already an IV user. That’s when crack and heroin became my drug of choice. At the same time, I ended up losing everything, even custody of my 2-year-old daughter, but by the grace of God I always ended up surviving. I was so naïve to what drugs really were and I also started to self-medicate. Drugs became my best friend, my only friend and I felt that I was no longer alone. Before coming to the Home of Hope I was in another program and while I was there, I was introduced to Teen Challenge. I hope to transform into a godly woman and become the mother I was meant to be. I want to be able to help the lost and hopeless one day when I’m healed.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Lesley A.
Growing up I had a good childhood. We were in church on Sundays, but church never made it to my home. My parents divorced at the age of 14. My addiction began at the age of 23. I lived a sinful life and always stayed in trouble with the law because of it. I used pills to block everything out and it didn’t serve a purpose. I just did it because I could, following in my brother’s footsteps. I came to Teen Challenge to draw closer to God and allow him to be the leader of my life, wanting restoration in my family. While in the program I hope to break a generational curse and remain sober, provide a good and healthy lifestyle for my daughter, and to use strategies that I’ve learned.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
Mary P.
Growing up I had a great life. My brother was in the military and I was spoiled. My parents were very present and we made it a point to eat together every night. Every now and again I would go with friends to church but I wasn’t raised in church. I was baptized several years ago and became a Christian. I do have a relationship with God. At age 16 I started going out with friends in high school and drinking socially. I was very popular in school. My mom brought me to Teen Challenge of Arizona. While in this program I hope to learn more of God’s word and to find out more about who he is.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones”
Mckenzie B.
My life growing up was not the best. I grew up experiencing a lot of pain and trauma. At age 19 I moved here to Arizona and everyone who I was associated with did meth. I soon became more curious about the drug and became addicted myself. As I started my addiction to meth I felt on top of the world because it numbed my pain. In late May of 2023 I found out that I was pregnant and I immediately stopped using and got clean. What brought me here to Teen Challenge was wanting something better for myself and my kids. While in this program I hope to become more spiritual, be a better mom and person, and to get whatever it is I can from this program.
Favorite Scripture: John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Regina F.
My mom had me when she was 16 years old. My mom struggled with mental illness, drug addiction, and alcohol abuse. My dad was barely around before passing away with me by his side when I was just 11 years old. On that same day, my mom gave me my first drug—marijuana—along with alcohol, and not long after, I was diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety, which led to me taking prescription medications. Four years ago, I fell into fentanyl and meth use and lost everything and everyone. I woke up one day realizing I was running out of time, which led me to cry out to my Heavenly Father, who answered me and opened the doors for me to come to Teen Challenge of AZ. I’m excited to experience this God-given journey to finally, once and for all, fill the voids inside with my true identity in Jesus Christ.
Favorite Scripture: Revelation 12:11 “I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.”
Shannon C.
Growing up there was a lot of love but there was also a lot of rage and anger. However, I ended up having a lot of friends at the time. I was also very involved in sports and other activities. My addiction began when I was 18 years old. I would drink to the point of blacking out and I also got into cocaine, speed, and acid. I used drugs and alcohol to escape from life. No matter how hungover I was from the day before I always went back for more. What brought me to Teen Challenge Home of Hope was my brother. He went though Teen Challenge himself and soon after the program became a pastor traveling and working in other states. I would like to learn how to live without chemical assistance and to live a life more like the Lord.
Favorite Scripture: Luke 10:27 So, he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Taylor H.
I feel like I never got the chance to have a childhood. Things happened that made me grow up quickly. Having no control over my life or the things that happened to me created an issue with control. I used drugs here and there but I was not a full blown addict until after I graduated high school. I was in love with a boy, moved to Colorado for him. When the relationship came to an end, I moved back home. I was heartbroken. All I wanted to do was numb the pain. Something that was an every once in a while thing with friends quickly turned into an everyday thing by the age of 19. I started out abusing prescription painkillers. When I couldn’t find pills, I upgraded to Heroine. Kicked the Heroine and picked up Meth. Trading one addiction for another. I had been seeking God on my own. I would pray that He would lead me to someone who would be able to answer my questions. I was sick of my own crap. Sick of the lifestyle I was living. I feel that God heard my prayers and lead me to the Home of Hope. My hope with this program is to take the time and the space to build a better me. To build healthy habits and routines. To re-write my unhealthy programming so that I can fully participate in my own life and what God is building for my future.
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 35:4 “Say to the faint-hearted: ‘Be strong: do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.”
