Phoenix Center Students

I grew up in a broken home with a divorced family. I dropped out of high school by the age of 16 to party, drink and smoke. My addiction began in my 20s. I abused substances to fit in and hide from the truth of my past hurt and abandonment. I came to Teen Challenge because I’ve been fighting depression, fear, suicide, and I have lost my way with Jesus. My hope now is to grow more with Jesus and fully surrender to him to be the man of God my family can trust.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

At an early age, I was taken from my biological parents and was given to my amazing aunt and uncle to be raised. My addiction began in high school. My cowboy buddies weren’t very good influences. When I turned 21 my addiction got far worse.  I thank God that my girlfriend cared about me enough to call my family and let them know how bad my addiction had become. I came to Teen Challenge to better myself and become the man and future husband that God has called me to be. I hope to become that man. 

Favorite Scripture: ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭ “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Addiction for me began at an early age. I was ten years old the first time that I experimented with drugs. I grew up in a dysfunctional home with lots of alcohol, drugs, verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. The use of drugs like crystal meth ended up putting me in a mental health institution. I came to Teen Challenge to get close to God, rid myself of the addiction, pain, and anger I had caused myself. I have hope and desire to become the man that God wants me to be for my son and others.  

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:29 “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

I led a normal lifestyle growing up with my mother, brother, and stepfather all in the home. I was introduced to church at an early age. My addiction actually didn’t begin until I was in my mid-30s. My addiction to alcohol began gradually. I was using it recreationally and then as time went on, I became more dependent on it. The recent loss of two very close family members brought me to Teen Challenge. It was my family member’s recommendation ultimately that brought me here. My hope is to build a better relationship with God, and become a better Christian, and man of God.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

Addiction for me began at the age of 12. I pretty much raised myself because of an addicted parent and struggled a lot with feelings of not being good enough and anxiety. Before coming to Teen Challenge I dealt with hopelessness and homelessness. I’m here to build a relationship with Christ and learn how to live life on life‘s terms. My hope is that I will find out the plan that God has for me.

Favorite Scripture: ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

I grew up in a Christian household and things were generally good. As I got older, I started to rebel. I started getting high at a young age. When I started using drugs it was just for fun, but before I knew it I was a drug addict. I came to Teen Challenge to finally break free from the chains of addiction I have been under for so many years. I know that it is only through Christ that I can overcome my addiction. I hope to grow in Christ as I go through this program.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall never perish but have eternal life.

I was born in California but grew up in a suburb in Mexico. My parents moved to Phoenix a few months after September 11, 2001. I had my first daughter at the age of 17 and shortly thereafter my parents decided to move back to Mexico and I decided to stay in Phoenix. It wasn’t long after that I began experimenting with and using all different types of drugs. From methamphetamine and heroin to fentanyl. An altercation with police almost cost me my life. I nearly lost the relationship I have with my children.  I came to Teen Challenge to change my life, become sober, and build a relationship with God.  

Favorite Scripture: James‬ ‭1:12‬ “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

My life started with a pretty decent upbringing. Both of my parents were together until my father started to drink and eventually left me and my siblings behind with an abusive mom. I thought that was normal. So I started to use at the age of 10 believing that no one cared for me. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted and using helped me to feel better. After living a long drug-addictive lifestyle, after mental breakdowns, and after losing everything I owned, I started to seek help. I came to Teen Challenge to recommit my life to Jesus Christ and to build a new family.  My hope now is to build a strong foundation in Christ and life-lasting relationships with my Teen Challenge brothers.   

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Growing up, my life was OK. I had two loving parents that shared their love differently. They worked and they provided for me. Addiction for me began at the age of 11. I first started using marijuana and then drinking which ultimately led to everything under the sun. I started using to feel accepted and loved and worthy of love. I graduated from Teen Challenge in 2020 and thought I had it all together, but I still had reservations in my life. I fell deeply back into fentanyl and crystal methamphetamines. No hope, faith, self-worth, trust, and I blamed God. I came back to Teen Challenge so that God could finish the work that he started within me. I will be a father and provide for my daughter's mom. My hope is restoration with the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, and to understand His will for my life.

Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Growing up in my household I was usually able to do what I wanted. I was raised by my mom and my stepdad who were addicted to drugs and alcohol so there was always drugs and violence that surrounded my sister and me. At the age of 11, I started to smoke marijuana and tobacco and I started to drink alcohol. By the age of 16, I was using cocaine. By 19 I was addicted to heroin. I used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain I felt growing up from being sexually abused as well as always feeling like I’m less than others. Four different times I tried to kill myself by overdosing and four different times the Lord has allowed me to survive and has brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here now to gain a solid relationship with God and learn to rely on him in good times and bad. I hope to gain knowledge from the Bible and an intimate relationship with God. 

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

I grew up in a Christian home with my stepbrother, half-sister and stepdad. I started smoking weed in sixth grade. By the time I was about 17 or 18 years old, it turned into cocaine, psychedelics, and benzodiazepines. At first, my use was because my friends did it and I thought it would bring me the satisfaction that I so desired. Recently though, I allowed weed and alcohol to cause me to stumble, so I came back to Teen Challenge to reset my relationship with Christ. I have hope now in my relationship with God

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Growing up I did not know my biological father. My biological mother committed suicide from drug addiction and depression. I was adopted by one of my uncles and his wife along with my older sister. They raised us as their own and they are mom and dad to us. My dad is a pastor and my mom is in HR. As children, we were given opportunities to do what we wanted in music, sports, church or almost whatever we wanted. It was a home filled with the presence of God, focused on loving us and teaching us how to live Biblically righteous lives. I came to Teen Challenge to strengthen my relationship with God and spend time reading His word, including prayer and being discipled. I hope to resolve relationship issues with my wife, and continually grow in my relationship with Jesus.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

My Mom and Dad battled with many things during my childhood, but they were still very nice to me and loved me through their struggles. I grew up around smokers, so my addiction to cigarettes and weed began when I was 12 years old. I wanted to experience what everyone else was doing and my addiction led my life with no purpose. Doing drugs for so long, I became lost and homeless wandering the streets “blind”. After going to CBI, I was taken to Teen Challenge where I decided I wanted to become more like Christ. My hope now is to be set free from the chains of addiction.   

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

My life growing up was supported by two loving parents. My Dad was a pastor and my Mom ‘s ministry and life was devoted to foster care. We had over 100 kids in and out of the house. I started getting suicidal thoughts in fourth grade, doctors said I was manic depressive and started giving me drugs I thought I had to use drugs to be normal. Multiple treatment centers said that I had a 2% chance of ever getting clean off of heroin. I had multiple drug overdoses, suicide attempts, and drug induced psychosis. I was hopeless. After much thought and prayer with my wife, the Lord kept bringing up Teen Challenge of Arizona. I’ve never been to Arizona, but God wouldn’t let me shake it. Since coming to this program, God has already begun restoration with my family relationships, with my wife, and my parents. I no longer feel depressed about life and I have hope again. The love that I feel from the Lord is so overwhelming that I want to tell the world!

Favorite Scripture: John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

I grew up in a very loving and privileged home with both parents. I attended private Christian schools from kindergarten to high school. Growing up I had all of my wants and needs satisfied by both my parents. In my freshman year of college, I began to experiment with drugs. I came to Teen Challenge to set my life back on track and improve my overall mental and physical health. I hope to achieve personal inner peace and a better understanding of my goals.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 12:1 “In that day you will sing: “I will praise you, O Lord! You were angry with me, but not anymore. Now you comfort me.”

I grew up on the reservation in a home with my Mom and Dad. My Dad was an alcoholic. I had my first drink at the age of 14. Abusing alcohol seemed like a hereditary thing in my family.  Now I am 55 years old and I’m still drinking. I started binge drinking badly and started to lose my family in the process, so I knew I needed to find a place. So now I’m here in Teen Challenge to get myself right with the Lord while getting myself sober from alcoholism. My hope now is to get to know Jesus on a deeper level so I never go back to drinking.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares upon him because he cares for you.

I was born into a broken home. I never knew my father until I was 13 years old. My addiction began when I was a freshman in high school. The promise of false love, respect and friendships, and fitting in is why I started using. I found nothing but trouble later in life. DCS involvement with my niece and nephews is the wakeup call I needed to come to Teen Challenge. I’m here to get myself right with God, myself, and my family. My hope is to grow and come closer to God.  

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I was raised in a Christian home and come from a family of preachers. My addiction began in high school. I started using mostly because of peer pressure and it felt good.  In recent years my addiction to crystal meth and alcohol and the devious games that are associated with that type of life brought me to my breaking point. I came to Teen Challenge to get right with Jesus and to become the person that God wants me to be.  A recent cancer diagnosis has given me even more courage to trust in the Lord.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

I grew up in a good household with caring parents. As I got older, I started to rebel. I began smoking weed for the first time at fourteen years old. I abused drugs and alcohol to mask the pain I had of feeling never good enough or that I would never amount to anything in life. I came to Teen Challenge to finally break free from the chains and torment of addiction I have been under for so many years. I hope to break free from all of the lies being told to me, and become a Godly man of Christ who can walk in integrity.

Favorite Scripture: Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Life for me was pretty good growing up. I was raised by my grandparents. My grandpa passed away at the age of 12.  My addiction began at the age of 18.  I used drugs and alcohol to make myself happy when I was feeling depressed. Recently I was released from prison and I came to Teen Challenge to change who I used to be. I hope to become a brand new man.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs‬ ‭16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

I spent a lot of time as a youth sad and angry. My addiction began at the age of 15 years old.  I started using drugs to fit in. Recently in my life, I had some very difficult tragedies to deal with and it led me to use meth again. The meth I used was laced with a hallucinogenic drug. Knowing God, I was oppressed by a legion of demons. I saw what my life would be like if I didn’t come back to God. I came to Teen Challenge to deepen my relationship with Christ and become his light in the dark.  I hope to continue to sacrifice my flesh every day so I can live as Christ's righteousness and love everyone the way Christ first loved me.  

Favorite Scripture: ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:8 “That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”

Growing up my life consisted of sexual, mental, and physical abuse. As a result, I became homeless at the age of 15. Shortly after that, my addiction began and aggressively increased with age. My substance abuse was a way to hide my emotions and feelings from the world and to mask the mental and physical pain I was experiencing. Amid my attempted suicide through drugs and alcohol, the Lord sent me a graduate of Teen Challenge and shared with me the hope that he found through this place and the power of Jesus Christ. I am here now to experience a new journey with the Lord. I hope to acquire a new love for myself for others and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit joints and marrow it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

As a child I was diagnosed with leukemia and went through chemotherapy treatments up until I was five years old. Some other mental limitations inhibited my ability when I was younger. I was mixed up in the foster care system and abused by my foster care mother until the age of 16. I spent a lot of my time with my cousin doing drugs and committing crime. I found my identity in a lifestyle that numbed the pain of my childhood. I’ve realized since coming to Teen Challenge that a relationship with God will be the only way that I can change my life. I don’t want to just get sober, I want to become the father and husband my family deserves me to be.  This is the beginning of a life long relationship with God.  

Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Growing up for me my life was a struggle. My addiction to drugs began when I lost my mother.  I began using drugs to numb my pain and cope with my loss. Recently I lost all my relationships with my family and I came to Teen Challenge to get right with Christ and myself. My hope while at Teen Challenge is to learn to grow in the Lord.  

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews‬ ‭6:7-8‬ ‭“When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.”

I had a good life growing up. I had a great family that took me to a private school and raised me in church. I didn’t start using up until about two years ago in 2019. I began to drink socially with friends and eventually started using methamphetamine and got put on psych meds. And now I have legal issues I have to attend to because of it. I’ve never had legal issues or been in trouble with the law before this. I am here at Teen Challenge to get my life back, my family back and my relationship with Jesus Christ back. My hope is for restoration of mercy and forgiveness to be extended to me by my family, by the Lord, and by the law. 

Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.