Tucson Center Students

My childhood was good, until I got to my teenage years, everything changed, I changed. My addiction began when I was 14 years old, I was probably thinking that I was cool. My girlfriend’s mother was drinking so I decided to try it and never put it down. The recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge was losing my dad, and being homeless for the first time in my life. The devil was there to steal, kill, and destroy my life. I was brought here by a good friend who is in ministry. Now since I have been here my life is changing, I know I’m safe, I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior and I’m still learning. I hope to find a new way of living, walking with Christ and to complete this 13 month program and continue my faith in Jesus.

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

I grew up in South East Los Angeles. Life was pretty rough growing up, gangs, drugs, etc. My addiction started in 2005. I had some things that happened in my childhood that caused me a lot of pain and regret. Drugs took that pain away. A crisis that brought me here was being in and out of jail, I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. While I’m here I hope to get closer to God, through Him anything and everything is possible. I want to maintain a close relationship with God and learn how to have faith, true faith in Jesus.

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

I had a good childhood growing up and I had a loving family even though I did grow up in a single parent family. My addiction began in my late 20’s when I became a functioning alcoholic. I believe I began abusing alcohol due to my environment and as an escape from reality and for pleasure. I recently had a strong calling to comeback to Teen Challenge to finish what God started in me. I was struggling to find purpose in my life. I am here to finish what the Lord began. I hope to find a purpose filled life.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

My life has been both good and bad. My father made a lot of money but was not present much and was also an abuser and womanizer. My addiction to sex began at 11 years old with adult websites and then at 18 with escorts. At age 38 I fell into meth use. This addiction fueled the Jezebel spirit causing me to fall into impurity and immorality. I ended up homeless because of  addiction, lack of self-control, anger, depression, and a family who did not want anything to do with me. I received confirmation from God about coming here. I’m working to break addictions, build healthy habits, and get into ministry as the Lord has called and confirmed me to. I know the Lord will open doors for my future.

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

I grew up in a middle class family, my dad was physically there, but emotionally he was absent. I started using substances at age ten, but not sure when I became addicted. I believe I used drugs and alcohol because when I used I felt special while I was high. I’ve been using for forty-eight years, and I felt like it was time to stop. This is the recent crisis that brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here at Teen Challenge to reconnect with God. I hope to learn other ways to respond instead of with drugs.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 “And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I grew up with divorced but involved parents who always wanted the best for me. My addiction has been a part of my life since the age of 12-13 years old. I believe I used because substances were a source of rebellion and fun until they became a necessity. I had to take action with my life literally which is what brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here to save my life and take it back through God’s perfect will. I hope for as long as I’m here to let it be undeniable. I gave it my absolute. More so, I want my faith to be louder than any words could speak praise.

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Life growing up for me was good, but I had my own up’s and down’s. My parents were divorced when I was young. I grew up fast and became independent very early at start of my life. My addiction began at age 16. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to fill a void caused by loss of my job, loved ones, my home and purpose. It is because of my addiction and because I found myself homeless that I made the decision to enter this program. I am here at Teen Challenge to create a foundation that will lead to living a better life. I hope to have a better structured life and a closer connection to God.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds and is the fruit of his father’s instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

Growing up I always went to church when I was younger, but I never truly believed in a higher power until I was older and I finally gave my life to Christ when I was 21. My addiction began when I was 16 years old and it lasted until I was 21 years old. I believe I abused substances because I was the life of the party.  My friends drank and used drugs and I just wanted to fit in. I came to Teen Challenge because I was lost and broken, and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am here to prove to myself that I am mentally stronger than I think. I hope to be closer to God than I have ever been in my whole life.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.”

Life growing up was good until my mother and dad split up. My addiction began when I started smoking around 12 years old and got into harder drugs and was dealing them around 18. I believe I used because I split up with a girl I was with and needed them so I couldn’t feel my emotions while I did things. I got into the street life, but I was looking for peace. A recent thing that brought me here was a shooting that got me arrested. I am here to find God before it’s too late. I hope to find faith and become a holy man.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”

Growing up my father left when I was 4. I had an abusive step father, and an alcoholic mother. I moved out when I was sixteen and lived on my own and finished high school while working full time. I started drinking about age 23. Alcohol was an escape from my situation, it allowed me to put my difficulties off for short periods of time. Recently crisis I went on a twelve-day drinking binge, my wife found me in a Safeway parking lot 60 miles from home passed out and unresponsive. I’m here trying to save my marriage and my relationship with my granddaughters and my children. I hope to accomplish not only maintaining my sobriety but rebuilding my relationship with Christ. After program completion I hope to serve God per his will and desire.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Growing up I was abused as a child, my mom passed away at age 25 due to domestic violence. I was the oldest of 4. One brother left, a sister was killed by my step-father, and the other sister drank herself to death. My addiction began at the age of 14. I used to cover up all the pain and thoughts and memories of loss. I came here on my own, I walked up and thought it was the Gospel Rescue Mission. I am here now because I hope to learn how to live a new life and more about the Bible. I am still searching for why else I am here. I hope to become a pastor to teach the Tohono O’odham nation about the path of God and how I found my way there.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 8:13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

My life growing up wasn’t bad at all, my addiction began when I was 22 years old. I believe I began using as a social drinker then, it just became a habit where I started drinking every day. My alcohol addiction is what brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here because I needed help and my health was also declining. I hope to get my life and health back and also get closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.”

Life growing up for me was very good, I was happy, both my mom and dad were there. They taught good values, responsibility, etc. I attended church regularly and I was baptized at 9 years old at a Lutheran Church. My addiction wasn’t truly an addiction, I just ended up drinking to excess for a short while earlier this year. I believe I used to self-medicate due to my sadness at seeing my dad get cancer and then pass away. Recently I had an imminent eviction form my dad’s house where I was living. I am here to prevent a senior citizen from becoming homeless on the streets of Tucson. I hope to attain a better relationship with Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

I grew up with a single mom who raised three kids on her own. We were very poor but the house was always clean and there was always food in the fridge. My addiction began as a teenager with the neighborhood kids. I believe I used because I liked the taste and the buzz that came with it. Unfortunately, drinking became a crisis in my life and was ultimately what brought me here to Teen Challenge. I hope to accomplish being free from drinking.

Favorite Scripture: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.

I had a good family life, but my childhood was definitely abnormal. My parents were pastors and missionaries, so we moved to Africa when I was 6. I started smoking and drinking in high school and then tried other drugs once in college. I usually isolated and used as a way to either fit in or to fill the void caused by isolation, and an unsatisfied soul. What really brought me to Teen Challenge was not really a crisis per-se but it was a need for discipleship, and to get closer to God. I hope to leave here with a strong conviction in Christ, and to step into a life of serving the Kingdom of God.

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Growing up for me was very hectic, I moved from Maine to Arizona to Texas. My father passed away when I was 18 months old, my mother remarried 5 times after he died. My addiction began at the early age of 13 to 14 years old. At first I believe I used just to fit in until it became a serious addiction. Also to mask my pain, shame, guilt, fear and anger. A recent crisis that brought me here was being an addict, I was living in a homeless situation and I was a truly lost soul. I am here at Teen Challenge to learn to live again mentally, physically and spiritually. To learn to love myself again and put Jesus first in my life. I hope to let God my Lord Jesus Christ back in my life.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Life growing up was a little chaotic, we had no structure and a bit of rebellion. I didn’t have any communication with my family. I learned to grow up fast on my own. When I was 15, I was exposed to substances and started using drugs and alcohol. I used them to mask the feelings I had and to get away from my problems. I was on the verge of being homeless which brought me to Teen Challenge, I had nowhere to go and someone recommended it to me. I am here to get closer with God. I hope to accomplish learning the value of having structure in my life. I’d also like to get an education.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

My family was together until I was 16 years old, but after that divorce destroyed any normalcy. My life was fractured, pretentious and ignorant. My addiction began at the age of 9. I believe I used drugs and alcohol because I had a God shaped hole in my heart. I used substances for numbing my pain. I wanted to die. I had already given up, and that’s exactly the crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here because of Jesus. I hope to allow Him to accomplish whatever He wants in my life.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.