Alonzo H.
Growing up, life was fairly easy, and good. I was raised in a Christian household and was supported by my family. My addiction began at the age of 21. I used alcohol to forget about the pain I caused when I was younger. A recent crisis that brought me here to Teen Challenge of Arizona was me drinking daily, constantly, with no regard to myself or others. I am here at Teen Challenge of Arizona to reconnect with the Lord and overcome my addiction.
Favorite Scripture: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Blake L.
Life growing up for me was informative, I learned everything the hard way. My childhood was a military structure, it wasn’t really a childhood. My parents got divorced when I was eight years old. We moved a lot, and I moved out for good when I was a junior in high school. My addiction began at age eighteen. I used to dull the pain of stress and being mistreated. The recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge was my divorce after twenty years of marriage and living in my car. I am here at Teen Challenge because my mother recommended it to me, and I hope to grow closer to God and stay sober.
Favorite Scripture: Job 14:13 If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set a time and then remember me.
Cody C.
It was pretty difficult growing up with an alcoholic father throughout my childhood. My addiction began during my Uncle’s passing away. My addiction helped me forget my Uncle’s passing and my father’s actions. My father is doing much better today. I am here at Teen Challenge because I was sad and distant towards my family. I hope to find ways to help other people in need and ways to make other people happy.
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
Daniel B.
My life growing up was rough, when I was five years old, I was sexually abused. My father had 3 ex-wives, and I moved back and forth from Salt Lake City and Baltimore. I went from being Mormon to Atheist. My addiction began when I was eighteen. I believe I used drugs because life was fun as someone in the crowd. I was shooting meth even when I was a “true believer” and grieving God at the same time. I believe I am here at Teen Challenge because God brought me here. I hope to stay in God’s will.
Favorite Scripture: John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Danny S.
My life growing up was great thanks to my dear strong, hard working mom. Unfortunately I just chose to party at a young age. I was 15 years old when I realized that my addiction had developed. It felt like a temporary get away from reality. I ended up in the ICU for 9 days due to my drug use. When my mom went to visit me on the 7th day in the hospital, she made me promise her that she wouldn’t have to bury me. I’m at Teen Challenge because I needed God to make a dramatic change in my life. I pray to accomplish becoming the man God intended me to be.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Donnie L.
I was raised with my two siblings and both of my parents. I developed disruptive behaviors throughout middle and high school and dropped out. My addiction began after serving six years in prison at 19 years old. I began to have drinking issues which led to the bondages of addiction to drugs. I used drugs to isolate myself from my shame and guilt. I was committing crimes to support my habit. The law and consequences soon caught up to me, my family bonded me out and we found Teen Challenge. I am here to honor God’s restoration process and hopefully gain His favor for my obedience to His will. I hope to find endless blessing as evidence of God’s work within me.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of my own doing, it is the Gift of God.
James N.
Life growing up was overall very good, thanks mostly to parents who held it together for my sister and I very well. After my parents divorced my addiction began, and then the harmful behaviors intensified after my dad passed away. The drugs provided an escape from uncomfortable things and a tumultuous life. A recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge was being homeless on the streets. It’s God’s will that I be here. I hope to find the healing of my mind, body and soul, and acquire healthy relationships.
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 54:11 “O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires.
Jeremy G.
Growing up I was in a strong catholic family, my mother and father were involved with drugs and alcohol. My addiction began at 13 years old and I used because the environment I was growing up in was all I knew which involved drugs and alcohol. Recently I went on probation and experienced homelessness, which is what brought me here to Teen Challenge. I wanted to better my life with Christ and with Him I pray for early probation and to stay clean off drugs. I hope to accomplish a better lifestyle while being fluent with the Bible and have financial stability.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 118:17 “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done”
Joshua L.
I was born with a cleft palate and cleft lip, so I had a lot of medical issues and was extremely self-conscious as a result. In high school I noticed I was less self-conscious when I was drinking or using drugs, so I was liked more. The drugs and drinking allowed me to open up and not be so socially awkward. A recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge was a failed marriage of twenty years. I believe it’s God’s will that I am here, and after working all over the country, I believe Arizona is one of my favorite places. I came for the simple purpose of getting sober. Since being here I’ve found a new relationship with Christ and learned how to love again.
Favorite Scripture: Joshua 7:10 “The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?”
Julian C.
My dad and my mother went to prison when I was young. Me and my sisters bounced around from shelter to shelter until our Uncle and Aunt adopted us. I was in the 7th grade when I started using drugs and alcohol. I used drugs and alcohol because I wanted to feel good, but as I grew up it was just loneliness that I felt after my loss of time with my parents. Coming out of prison I was still addicted and continued to push people away. I am here to grow into the man that God says I am. I’m just trying to please Christ each day by being loving to others and allowing His healing in my heart.
Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Keith H.
Life for me growing up was actually pretty great. I feel that I had a normal childhood for the most part. When I became a little older, I began prioritizing things that I wanted to do over things that needed to get done, like responsibilities and life’s demands. I never struggled with substance abuse, but I found myself looking for love and acceptance in all of the wrong places. I developed unhealthy spending habits, as well as lived for the approval of others. This addiction mainly served the purpose of receiving the love that I felt I did not receive from my parents and family members. Right before entering Teen Challenge, I left another program that I did not see helping me in the same way Teen Challenge could. I hope to acquire a strong and foundational relationship with Christ, and live a completely different life.
Favorite Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:18 “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.”
Michael G.
Let’s be real, life growing up was really tough. My mom lost her guardianship so I didn’t see her much. My addiction wasn’t really into substances but was video games and I was very angry. I didn’t really use drugs a lot, I smoked weed and vaped, with some drinking but yeah I didn’t rely on it. I got in a fight with my family and went to rehab. My case got dropped and then I ended up coming here to Teen Challenge. My life has been down hill for a long time, but I’m here to turn that around! I hope to get closer to God, restore relationships with my family.
Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.
Michael L.
While I was growing up, my mom and stepdad were hardworking. Beside the typical teenager problems, life was good. My addiction began around 14 years of age. I wanted to numb myself basically after my grandmom died, that’s when my drinking and drug use got worse. I was homeless on the streets the last two years while being addicted before I came to Phoenix Teen Challenge. I am here to heal and come out a better man for my kids and family and to be an example for others of what Jesus can do. My thoughts are ever changing, but I do know that I want to make Christ proud and do what He wants me to do.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Nathan R.
Growing up it was a struggle in wanting to hustle to support my family, but the deeper I went the further into the pit I fell. My addiction began in the 2nd grade on the school football field. It was just a part of my environment, a place to fit in. My struggle in getting to know God and to understand Him truthfully is what brought me here to Teen Challenge. By the Grace of God, He led me here. I hope to accomplish having a stronger faith and not doubt His love.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 25:25 “Like a city whose wall is broken-through, is a person who lacks self control”
Peter Ray N.
I was always left behind with no father figure, I always wanted to be a part of something that made me feel good about myself. I joined a gang at the age of 12 where violence and murder played a big part in my life, but I just wanted to be loved. I started using drugs around 13 to continue trying to fill that void of love. It turned me numb to my feelings and emotions because it always felt as if my person didn’t matter to anyone. I was always told that Jesus is the only one who will love me no matter what. I am here at Teen Challenge to build my character with purpose and to seek my Lord Jesus Christ. I would love to share the Lord’s love that He shows me.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere, hate what is evil, cling to what is good.”
Saul C.
I’m the youngest of seven. I had a strong bond in my family, my dad was strict, and my parents worked all day. After 8th grade in high school is when my addiction began. Being around cousins and always wanting to be the first at everything pushed me to try things. I used drugs because of peer pressure and curiosity with alcohol and some coke and marijuana. Thoughts of suicide and being alone and feeling hopeless brought me to Teen Challenge, I was on the streets before I got here. I am here to find better communication with God and to tell and show my family that everything is possible with God.
Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Saul G.
Growing up was good, I had good parents. My brother had leukemia. I had cancer 8 years ago, but God healed me from that. I was 14 years old when my addiction began. I used everything at the start just to have fun and then I realized I was trapped and couldn’t get out. I recently had a crisis in my marriage and that brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here because I want to be a new father, husband, son, and brother. I want to completely surrender to God and let Him heal my heart.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Scott S.
My father passed away when I was 10 years old. My mom sacrificed so much to provide a stable and loving home for me, my brother and my sister. We had a loving home, but it was difficult at times. My addiction began at the age of 22 while living in Minnesota. I used drugs as a way to cope with loneliness and depression. I always excelled in my job, but that was my only joy in life that I had. I allowed my job to define who I was as an individual. I hit rock bottom, completely losing everything. My family was at the point that they refused to enable me any longer. I am here to transform my life and to have a life with Jesus Christ. My sister always told me that my addicted life would not be changed until I found Jesus and asked him to help me change my life. She was 100% correct.
Favorite Scripture: Revelations 4:1 “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
