Phoenix Center Students

I was the 2nd oldest of eight in a low income family.  Church wasn’t part of our lives. My older brother and I grew up with our step family. At 11 years old I met my real dad. I became addicted to alcohol to numb the pain. My depression reached a point where I needed help. I was drinking heavily on my days off, and became hopeless, and began to ask myself if life was worth living?  I’m here at Teen Challenge to learn how to love others the way Jesus loves others, and learn how to forgive myself for what I have done. I hope to become a true man of God . 

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:4 ”Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I was very poor while I was growing up on the streets of Maryvale Arizona, but my mother gave me the best she could being the middle child of 6. My addiction began in my late teens when I was introduced to alcohol and drugs and then gangs. I felt at the time it was the thing to do because everybody was doing it. Being homeless on the streets of Maryvale brought me here to Teen Challenge. I’m here at Teen Challenge to serve the Lord because they care about the Lord here. I’m here to reconcile my faith in the Lord.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 64:1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from fear of the enemy"

Growing up, life was good but I was verbally and emotionally abused. Once my mom got out of prison my life became something I’m not really comfortable talking about. I never grew up in faith, I grew up fully in the world. My addiction began at 17. I never used any substances or alcohol excessively. I was an adrenaline junkie, whether it was street racing or self-harm, anything to numb my internal thinking, or to be in control of me. I was going to be homeless, and my probation officer gave me a list of resources to choose from, which is how I got to Teen Challenge. I am here to be the light for my family, and to create a strong and intimate relationship with Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

My childhood was hectic. I was loved but there was no real structure in my life. My addiction to alcohol began in my 20’s, in my thirties I had an additional addiction to Marijuana. The use of drugs and alcohol helped me cope with my depression and anxiety, numbing me from the pain. I came to Teen Challenge, because my lifestyle choices led me into homelessness. I hope to get closer to God and rebuild my life and be the man of God I was intended to be.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

My fife was decent. I went to good schools and had two parents. My dad was an immigrant who owned his own HVAC Company. It began in college, I started drinking heavily and smoking weed after a failed relationship and a lot of domestic abuse. Drinking helped me feel more comfortable with the anger I had towards my parents. As the oldest of 7 they put a lot of pressure on me . I got kicked out of college for drinking and using illicit drugs. I was in an accelerated B.A. program. I'm here to build a relationship with God, learn how to be a man, a better son and a better person . I hope to develop the qualities and characteristics of a Godly man to shepherd my younger siblings to Christ .

Favorite Scripture: John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I grew up Christian and was raised by a great Christian father. I first drank alcohol at 13, I was habitually using heroin at 17. I used drugs and alcohol for a number of reasons at different times. It ranges from boredom to depression to anxiety to simply loving pleasure. I came to Teen Challenge wanting to be more obedient to God. I want to meet the requirements of an overseer or deacon because I want to be involved in ministry with my dad in the Philippines. I hope to have a deeper relationship with God. I hope to walk more in the Spirit. I want to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit of God.

Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Life growing up for me was pretty normal, but my addiction began after my divorce 26 years ago. I had too much time on my hands, I was bored with life and wanted a different reality. I found myself running out of money and soon would be homeless. I am here at Teen Challenge for renewal of my faith and shelter. I hope to accomplish a new direction for my life and to help others.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:25 Jesus instructs, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

I became homeless at 11 years old, and I went into the foster system at 18. I’ve been in 30 different homes in my life. I never used drugs or alcohol, I was homeless before I came here out in Lake Havasu, Arizona. I want to complete the program and become a staff member in order to give back one day.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”

I was taken at birth by my father in Puerto Rico and sent to an orphanage in New York City. My addiction started at 15 and progressed as time went on. Drugs and alcohol were a major part of my life. The harsh streets and not having not been accepted by others only made worse. I struggled with anger and violent tendencies after a threat on my life. I decided to come to Teen Challenge. I had met two students at the hospital and they convinced me to get closer to the Lord. I'm here to get right with God and live a free life with Jesus as my guide.

Favorite Scripture: Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”

My life growing up was rough. From a young age I experienced some abuse, emotional and  sexual. As a result,  I was always looking for acceptance in people and things and always felt like I needed to prove myself. Things got worse when my parents got divorced and my father was incarcerated.  I was introduced to alcohol and nicotine at the age of ten, smoking weed and hanging out with the wrong crowd to numb the pain. My last relapse put me into a severe depression and brought me to Teen Challenge where I hope to be molded and pruned by God and shaped into His  image. While I’m here  I want to gain a better understanding of God’s word, growing in knowledge and wisdom and also learning how to forgive others and myself.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I lived a fun life with lots of good times. At age 22 I became addicted to cocaine after my body began to hurt and my feet hurt real bad. It would numb the pain. I came to Teen Challenge to escape the darkness and shame of my addiction. My hope is to learn from the Lord about living for him and only him. I want to live without relying on drugs and to live only for God.   

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life, whom shall I dread?”

Life was good till I was 10 years old, then I became an introvert and everyone was telling me I couldn’t do anything, then the problems began. My addiction began when I was 20 years old. I didn’t use drugs or alcohol but using porn gave me an outlet away from a lonely life. My parents died July of 2021 and since they took care and sheltered me my whole life, I found out I couldn’t take care of myself and spent all of my inheritance in 2 years. I was homeless and totally alone, I am here to work on a close, intimate relationship with God.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 41:13- For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

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.

Growing up I had an absent father and an overbearing mother, yet they loved the heck out of me. Somewhere along the line I just chose my way. My addiction began at a very young age, I used drugs to numb my emotions and to block out the responsibilities of life. Fentanyl and meth use brought me here to Teen Challenge, I was on the verge of taking my own life. I am here to be brought back into the grace and will of God. Also to protect myself in this season. I hope to never be the same in Jesus name.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:7 Jonathan's armor-bearer says, "Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Growing up was tough without a father. My mother raised me. I fell into alcoholism at the age of 20 recreationally. My family gave up on me due to my drinking. Due to facing homelessness, I turned to Teen Challenge for help. I hope to complete the program and gain restoration with God and my family.  

Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16 "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

I grew up in a household where my dad was an alcoholic, and towards my teenage years my mom always had to keep the household together. My addiction began at the age of 5 with alcohol. Around 18 to 28 years old I developed my addiction further with cocaine and meth. I abused drugs to numb my feelings. During a recent crisis I relapsed back into using meth and alcohol and that’s what brought me here to Teen Challenge. I came here to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. I hope to be set free from the chains of addiction, idolatry, and sexual immorality.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

"Growing up, life was far from easy. From the young age of thirteen, I turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope with difficult circumstances. What started as an attempt to adjust ultimately led to devastating losses – my wife, my children, my job, and eventually, my home. I found myself homeless and lost. It was in that darkest place that I came to Teen Challenge, searching for a new life rooted in Christ. My deepest desire is to find freedom from the fear that has haunted me for so long and to embrace a true new beginning.". 

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.

Growing up in a home plagued by alcoholism and daily domestic violence left deep scars. After my first tour of duty at 21, I turned to alcohol to numb the pain of my past. When these challenges began to impact my marriage, I knew I needed help. Coming to Teen Challenge was my step towards healing, seeking reconciliation with God and within myself, so I can move into the next chapter of my life with victory.

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.