Tucson Center Students

So I wasn’t raised in a Christian home…and it was very broken to say the least. I was born again at the age of 26 though… only by the Lords mercy. I was helping in several areas of kingdom work within a period of a couple of years and knew I was “called” to that. Unfortunately, I went back to some fleshly choices and went through a Teen Challenge years ago and felt like I had found “my place” to serve. It just didn’t work out though. Through several more heartbreaking situations a few years ago, I once again struggled with alcohol and was in great despair. Now I’m here wanting to gain complete freedom….and “regain a vision” for my life!!!  

Favorite Scripture: Hosea 6:3 So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn, and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.

Growing up, life treated me pretty well. I was surrounded by people who loved and cared for me. I was a great athlete and made friends really easily. I was a star football player in high school, and went on to play college ball. Whenever the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, I found that occasional drinking quickly escalated to problem drinking. I was no longer able to work and found comfort and relief in alcohol. I found that numbing internal pain with alcohol allowed me to feel free for the time being. My alcoholism continued to get worse and worse until it reached the point that I understood something drastic had to be done, or the addiction may have claimed my life. I decided to enter Teen Challenge not only to become clean and sober, but to get closer to the Lord. Additionally, I entered the program lacking purpose and identity. I now know that those two things come from God and God alone. I am ready for the Lord to guide and direct my life now.

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

I had a pretty normal upbringing, for the most part. I was raised in a relatively Christian household and environment, but I experienced bullying in school from teachers and surrounding students. I felt as if I was different and not cared for, which stuck with me through my adolescent years. My addiction really escalated around age 20, when I turned to substances to numb the PTSD I acquired from my time in the military. Prior to coming into the program, life was pretty unbearable. My addiction brought me to a place of hopelessness and homelessness. I knew that if I did not receive some sort of help, my life was in great jeopardy. I am a native to Tucson and was referred to the program. I am so thankful that I made the choice to come in. I am seeking an intimate relationship with the Lord, as well as restoration with loved ones. I know that God is able to restore. I am thankful for this opportunity!

Favorite Scripture: John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

My upbringing was pretty difficult, for the most part. A significant portion of it was spent in a homeless shelter, a children emergency center, and even sleeping in the woods. Unfortunately, my mother has battled drug addiction for as long as I can remember, until she passed away about three years ago from an overdose. To distract my brain from the horrendous thoughts of reality, I turned to drugs for relief. I had pretty much lost the only family that I had, and I have never had a father figure in my life. Just before coming to Teen Challenge, I was involved in some pretty dangerous activities, in order to provide for myself financially. I felt as if it were the only way to make ends meet. After encountering legal trouble, I was offered the chance to come to Teen Challenge in hopes of a deferment. I am here to better myself spiritually, emotionally, and physically, as well as to be the man that I was created to be. I hope to replace old habits with new and edifying ones. I am doing this for my mom. I just want to make her proud. I have put all of my hope in Christ and desire to be a light for those around me.

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.”

About 10 years ago, my wife passed away from kidney cancer, and we had three children in their late teens and early 20s. Her passing led me to drink more heavily and smoke marijuana. Due to my addictions, my relationship with my children specifically my daughter, caused me to end up in jail multiple times. I was just in a broken, lost state. I also kept failing probation in attempt to move from state to state.  This was due to failed job attempts in Florida and back in Michigan where I’m from. I started to see how bad it could get; to the point of ending up homeless and such. The last time I got released from jail was in October of this year, 2022. I was blessed with an early inheritance from my parents and I bought plane tickets.!!! Plane tickets to Phoenix for a job. I relapsed again and knew I had to go back to Teen Challenge where I was 20 years ago. God brought me to Tucson, Arizona and on the way here I saw a rainbow over the exit sign and knew I had made the right decision.

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

Growing up, life was pretty difficult for me. I was bullied throughout middle school and felt as if I did not belong. My addiction initially began when I was introduced to smoking marijuana. This lasted for some time, but I eventually started smoking crack-cocaine. This is where my drug addiction seemed to really spiral out of control. I found that drugs and alcohol allowed me to temporarily forget about the pain of my childhood and past, as well as take away any fear or anxiety I had for the time being. Just prior to coming into Teen Challenge, I was baptized at a local church. I was coming down from an intense high, but felt as if the Lord had a plan for my life. A few days later, I found myself as a student in the program. I am here to establish a firm connection with my heavenly Father, as well as find a new identity. I hope to learn to view life’s problems through a new perspective and forgive myself and others for what has been done. I look forward to the new life that awaits me in Christ!

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. marvelous are your works, my soul knows it very well.”

I grew up with my parents and two older brothers. Life was pretty good, except I experienced sexual abuse at a young age. My addiction actually began celebrating with alcohol and marijuana on holidays with my friends. This later evolved into experimenting with more potent substances, such as cocaine, ecstasy, and narcotics. Prior to becoming addicted, I chased the thrill that drugs offered me. I then used them to cover up traumas that I had acquired over the years.  Just prior to entering Teen Challenge, life was horrible. I had lost my career working at a bank and my self-esteem. Drinking copious amounts of alcohol was an everyday occurrence and I was even considering suicide. I feel as though God specifically called me to Teen Challenge to provide me with a new way of living. I certainly hope to complete the program, but most importantly I desire to walk intimately with Jesus. I am believing him for family restoration.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

Growing up, life was not all that bad. I grew up in a relatively nice and loving family, with the exception of my dad being in prison for the majority of my younger years. My addiction primarily began when I was in high school. I chose drugs and alcohol to suppress my pain and anger. I found myself having no real identity, and drugs provided an atmosphere in which I felt that I belonged. The major crisis in my life that ultimately led me to Teen Challenge was the drugs I was using were no longer filling the massive void within my heart. I felt completely empty and desperate, and even considered ending my own life. To heal my deep wound, I now turn to the mighty power of God, as opposed to a temporary and fleeting solution. I want to pursue the calling that God has for my life. To receive the necessary tools that I need to live a victorious life, they are found in Christ and Christ alone. I look forward to the transformation that I so desire in the months to come!

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 3:8 – “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Growing up, life was pretty challenging for me. My mother battled severe alcoholism, while my father was physically present but emotionally absent. At the age of 11, I was introduced to marijuana by mother. A few years later, I decided that weed was not enough and I was in need of harder substances to numb my internal pain. Drugs provided an avenue to numb myself from family dysfunction, disarrayed emotions, and self-dissatisfaction. Just prior to entering Teen Challenge, my mother passed away, which caused me to spiral back into the lifestyle that I was familiar with. Nonetheless, there is light. I am here at Teen Challenge to get closer to God, to have my life changed forever, and to be the vessel God intended for me to be. I want to prove to myself that I can complete this program, gain trust from loved ones back, and move forward!

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs: 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and we will make straight your paths.”

My life was pretty normal until around the age of 10, when my parents divorced.  My addiction began early in life. In middle school, I was introduced to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana on a regular basis. When I transitioned to high school, I picked up the hard stuff, mainly meth and heroin. I was completely trapped in my addiction and could see no way out. I’ve primarily always used drugs to escape the pressures and responsibilities of everyday life.  Prior to entering the program, I found myself at what appeared to be rock bottom. I had just been discharged from a mental health facility, and owned nothing except the clothes on my back. I was hopeless and homeless. I hope to find peace, and sound-mind, and a new life, which I am trusting the Lord for. I am also trusting him to restore my family to me. Addiction can put a strain on those you love. All in all, I am excited to be in Teen Challenge and am ready to start my new life!  

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 21:21 “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

Life growing up was pretty difficult. My mother battled addiction for as long as I can remember.  I was eventually taken by CPS and placed into a foster care facility. I was eventually adopted by a really great family, but I still carried deep wounds along with me. My addiction began around the age of 16, when my so-called “friends” introduced me to hardcore opiates, such as fentanyl. I mainly used drugs to cope with various childhood traumas, as well as to gain a sense of belonging.  Leading up to arriving at Teen Challenge, I got into trouble with the law, and was even shot. I knew that it was time to do something different. I am seeking a brand new identity and lifestyle in Jesus Christ, and hope to carry the life skills that I acquire with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful to Teen Challenge for providing me a place to heal and rest in the Lord.

Favorite Scripture: Revelation 3:19 “I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be earnest, then, and turn from your sins.”

I grew up in a broken home. My dad struggled with addiction and was in and out of jail and rehabs, while my mom worked to provide for us. My addiction started after my dad was killed in 2014. I began taking painkillers and my addiction grew for the next 4 years. In 2018, I turned to fentanyl. In Nov 2018, my wife overdosed and passed away, which led into deeper drug use for me. I found myself in a cycle of addiction. Since then I’ve been trying to escape my reality. On a recent “binge” I had a mental breakdown and began hallucinating. I felt I was going to lose my life if I didn’t seek help. God used this scare to call me back into Teen Challenge. In this season, I need to allow time for God to restore me and renew my mind. My desire is to grow deeper in my faith. To grow in self-discipline and character, and to become a better father.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again to a yoke of bondage.

Growing up I had a fairly good childhood. My mom did have me at a pretty young age and she and my father quickly separated. My mother worked hard to provide me with the things I needed, but in my free time I was left to my own devices. After school I would run around with other kids in the neighborhood and they felt like family. I always wanted to be accepted so when alcohol and drugs were being used I quickly fell into peer pressure. By the age of 12, I drank alcohol and smoked marijuana. I loved playing sports, especially football. I had a great time in athletics but it also lead me to opiates. Painkillers were heavily used by many of my fellow teammates. In college and afterword my addiction just continued to progress. This eventually led to my arrest, which brought me to Teen Challenge to better of my life and my families.  

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:19 As you pray for me and as the spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

My childhood was good. I didn’t want for anything. I just didn’t have my mom growing up. I had to learn how to let her go because it was a major downfall in my life. After I lost my daughter, when she passed at the age of 23, it was really hard on me. I had a lot of things going on and anger towards the situation, so I learned to cope with it by doing things on my own because a lot of people I loved were already out of my life. I always looked for love in the wrong places. I finally turned to God. He helped me realize he loved me and even through my daughter’s death, I know that she’s with him and taken care of. Teen Challenge has helped me slowly learn how to open up and understand that no matter the circumstance, God gives me a second chance to be a father to my new son that I had just a year ago. I get to be the father I have not had the chance to be.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger man as brothers, older woman as mothers, and younger woman as sisters in all purity.