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.”

Growing up my childhood was normal besides the brutal beatings me and my  mother received from my step father, and every type of abuse from different men in my life. My addiction began when I was 16 years old. I believe I used because it made me feel grown up, I didn’t have friends so drugs gave me a friend group that I felt seen by. A recent crisis that brought me here was the ending of a relationship. I am here at Teen Challenge to die in Christ, I hope to be a servant for the king of kings.  

Favorite Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:8 “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”

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 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.”

While I was growing up my life was very good. I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home. My addiction began after college, when real life began. I believe I abused substances because at first I was just relaxing, then it became a habit to cover things up. I am here to grow closer to God and prayerfully experience some change from home. I hope to accomplish finding another brotherhood in Christ.

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

Growing up I was an only child and very sheltered. My mother was emotionally abusive and I was never good enough. My addiction started when I was around 45 years old. I believe I abused substances because I was able to medicate my depression and anxiety with alcohol. My depression was brought on during a three-year period where I lost my career, a marriage and my father. I recently entered Teen Challenge because my depression brought me to my breaking point and I was considering suicide. I am here to get busy living the life God wants me to live. I hope to accomplish growing closer in my relationship with God.

Favorite Scripture: Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Growing up my parents divorced at age 12, I was bullied, overweight and stuttered when I spoke. In my 20’s my firstborn daughter passed away, and my addiction ramped up when I found my father dead in his home. I used my addiction to cover my pain and hide in my insecurities. I realized that my alcohol issue was taking over and I was always depressed and anxious about life. I am here at Teen Challenge to build an everlasting relationship with God. I want to fully submit to God’s will and purpose for my life. I hope to be a better man and to be a role model for others. I am here to learn how to serve Jesus every day of my life. 

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 46:10 “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”

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”

Life growing up for me was full of fear and self-doubt, but also love from my parents. In one word, chaotic. My addiction started at different times, cigarettes and alcohol when I was 12, marijuana at 18, cocaine at 24 and the harder drugs like fentanyl and meth in my 40’s. I believe I used in the early years because it made me feel cool and have fun. In my later years, for pain management, experience and curiosity and for energy at work. Recently, I lost my house, job, family, work trailer, my business and belongings. I am here at Teen Challenge for structure, ministry and for opportunities and open doors into seminary school eventually. I hope to give myself 100% up to God’s will and plan for my life.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 18:1-3 “I love you, Lord, my strength. 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. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”

I had a rough childhood, my parents showed me lots of love but I was abused by my caretakers. My addiction began when I was 17. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of my childhood abuse. Also I became addicted to opioids after a serious injury at 17 years old. I was left destitute by my wife and had no place to go, also I needed help with my drug and alcohol addiction. Finally, I needed to get right with God. I am here to get my life walk back to the Lord. I wish to find God’s will for me regarding the rest of my life.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

For the most part growing up was great, I had everything necessary pretty much. It got hard once my parents split. My addiction began once my dad passed when I was 18. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to cope. I didn’t know what else to do. It felt like it was the only thing to do. A recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge of Arizona was when I thought I was going to overdose on cocaine. I am here to be sober, but most of all to get closer to God. I hope to find sobriety and to find my purpose and calling.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you’ I will hold onto you with my righteous right hand.”

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.”

I was raised in West Virginia. Growing up we grew our own vegetables and raised our own livestock. I started to drink because a bunch of coal miners made it look fun and exciting. I would steal beer from the age of 7 till the age of 14. Towards the later part of my life I started to drink to mask the feeling of not being good enough. Most recently I was kicked out of my place of living for not being able to provide for myself. I am here in Teen Challenge to get healthy and stable while growing in relationship with Christ. 

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold.”

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.

Growing up for me was lonely, my parents were never around. My addiction began around 8 years ago. I believe that I used drugs and alcohol because I was a victim of the pharmaceutical industry. I ended up getting blessed to come here to Teen Challenge instead of going to prison. I got the option of coming here and I took it. I am here to be in God and to become a productive member of society. I hope to stay sober and to grow in Christ.

Favorite Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

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.

Growing up for me was being raised by my grandparents. My addiction began when I was 23 years old, I believe I used substances because it helped bring stress relief. I ended up in a financial crisis that ended up with me coming to Teen Challenge. Since being here, I’ve discovered that I hope to become closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”