Phoenix Center Students

I grew up with a solid childhood, but when my father passed away at the age of 25, I spent the next 34 years using my addiction to try to fill the hole he left behind. My drinking progressively worsened, and my mentor introduced me to Teen Challenge, for which I am deeply grateful. While I am here, I desire to grow closer in my relationship with the Lord, complete the program, and help others find freedom.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I grew up with an abusive father. He would hit me and my mother. By the time I was 12 years old I was drinking and smoking weed and meth. I used these substances to forget about what was done to me and what I did to others. By the age of 20  I was getting into harder drugs which led me to homelessness with a broken leg and that brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here to find Jesus and freedom from my addictions and to find the real me. I hope to walk like Jesus and to love the Lord with all my heart, leading to freedom. 

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

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”

I grew up in an abusive home. I felt alone, unwanted, unappreciated and unloved. My addiction began in 1970. It was a social outlet for me then it became something to ease my pain. I first went to Teen Challenge in California but wasn’t ready. Now I’m here for restoration and to surrender to the Lord. My desire is to truly surrender to Him.

Favorite Scripture: Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

My childhood was challenging. There were many traumatic variables at play. Loving, fighting fathers side was wealthy, mothers side was middle class.   There were high expectations. At 19 with alcohol and marijuana I was young and having fun, doing what others my age did.  Until one year lead to thirty years of substance abuse. The money ran out which lead to a suicidal ideation.  Ultimately it was God who lead me here to Teen Challenge. I’m here to try and understand the man God intends for me to be. I want to live in obedient in faith in God and refinement as a whole in God.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to God my rock and redeemer”

Growing up was tough. My parents were strict military parents, and my father was a functional alcoholic and even led me to drink alcohol around 5 years old.  I was athletic and was an honor student but the physical and mental abuse led me to the streets and active gang life at 16. The violence claimed many of the gang members. After my brother's accident I began heavily using drugs and alcohol to escape the stress of the gang war and to push down the pain.  I was soon facing life in prison if things didn’t change. I managed to turn things around but couldn’t shake the addiction to alcohol that was tearing my family apart. My pastor found Teen Challenge and now I am committed to turning things around for my family. I hope to get closer to God and learn and apply the teachings of Jesus, so that I may live longer and be a better man for my family. 

Favorite Scripture: Mark 10:27 “Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

I had a good yet unfulfilling childhood growing up. My addiction started at 15years old, and by 17, it was worse. I needed to feel in control of something in this world full of hardships. I was arrested and sentenced to Teen Challenge. I'm here to fulfill my obligation to the courts, but above that, to get closer to the Lord. I hope to become a new creation, redeemed and set free.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

I grew up in a broken home. I lived with my mother, who was an alcoholic party girl. It wasn’t the best, but at least my dad was fairly normal. I started smoking weed at 18 and drinking at 21, recreationally at first, but then I became angry with God and used it to mask the pain of loss. I was out of control when God brought me to Teen Challenge. I’m here to get God back into my life and have a better chance at a future by forming a relationship with Jesus Christ. I think that will help me to have a better life.

Favorite Scripture: I Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Growing up, I was abused, then abandoned to the streets, and I was forced into adulthood at an extremely young age. I started drinking at 21 and was labeled a problem drinker at rehab. I’m here because I am unable to work and have no friends or family to help. I was homeless when God called me. I hope to be able to get close to God, allow Jesus to be my foundation, and become a new creation.

Favorite Scripture: Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

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?

Growing up, my family didn’t have much, and it wasn’t great. I started doing drugs at the age of 12 to mask the pain from the abuse in my life. Right before I came to Teen Challenge, my drug use was so out of control that my brother and I almost killed each other in a fight. I’m here at Teen Challenge to know Jesus and to learn how to pick up my cross and walk! I want a faith that can keep me strong and to rebuild my relationship with my family.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms23:1-2 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.”

I grew up with my mother and two older sisters. I was 21 when I began using drugs. I was a social user at first, then it bled into my everyday life; it was how I dealt with my depression. Still, it only led to me losing everything and becoming homeless, which is how I came to Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge accepted me when all the other programs would not. More than anything, I want to become a worthy disciple of Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other "

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”

Growing up was hard, more like a fight than a childhood. My addiction started in my teens. It was everywhere, and I used it to mask my pain; it carried on through the years and led me here to Teen Challenge. I'm here to get restoration and healing, the fruits of the Spirit, to be a better husband and father by applying God's word to my life.

Favorite Scripture: John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I grew up socially awkward with no proper guidance. At the age of 19, I was introduced to alcohol. It helped me think less and feel more, and gave me a sense of notoriety by being the party guy and gaining acceptance and popularity. I tried restoring my family, and I came to realize my way isn’t working, so I'm trying God's way. I'm here to gain freedom and to be the man that God has called me to be. I hope to receive whatever blessing the Lord has for me and ultimately find restoration in Jesus' name.

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."

Until the age of 6, I was a happy child, one of four, but my mother needed help and sent me to live with my uncle, who couldn’t properly care for me. His boss and wife took me in, and the environment was abusive, but she did introduce me to the Lord. At age 20, I was hit by a car, suffering life-changing injuries. I became addicted to prescription medication. My stubbornness made me fight and deny help. I heard about Teen Challenge and now I’m here to seek a positive change. I hope to build my life with love, joy, and find restoration. 

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."

Growing up was hard, I was in an adoptive home with 8 kids and no real father figure. Marijuana was easily accessible in my home, and I began starting smoking at age 12. It was something my family did, so I ended up falling into it. My gambling addiction was much worse! I blew through a lot of money, and that led me here to Teen Challenge. I’m here for God and to learn more about what He has for me. I hope to gain wisdom from Jesus to be a man who can lead others, encourage them, and ultimately lead them to Christ. Amen.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."