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.”

My parents were divorced when I was 3 years old. My mom remarried a godly man who was a good provider and he adopted me and my two brothers. I was raised Christian, and my parents were very involved in the church. I developed Adult Degenerative Scoliosis at around 40 years of age and started taking prescription pain meds which eventually lead to heroin and fentanyl. I used for pain relief. I had a DUI in 2022 and left my wife in 2023 to live with my brother and get sober. I retired in 2025 and then my wife filed for divorce which brought me here. I am here to strengthen my Christian walk and prepare for the next season. I hope to realize a ministry opportunity.

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.”

I grew up in a Christian household with good parents and attended church. I had a good childhood. My addiction began when I was 15 years old. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to mask my pain and not deal with reality. I came to a realization that I needed help and that I no longer wanted to live in the mess I had created. I am here to grow my relationship with Christ and ultimately change and be a new creation through him, to bring my family back together and find my purpose in life. I hope to accomplish becoming the man that Christ has called me to be.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

I grew up with a traditional mother and a Christian father. I was raised with strong values at home but I fell away from them. I was sent to boarding school at a young age and quickly had to learn what it meant to live without family. At just 10 years old, I started smoking weed. Not long after I turned to alcohol as well, using it to escape the emptiness I felt and to cover up the pain of feeling disconnected from the world around me. Over the years, I have been through other recovery programs, each one teaching me something but never quite reaching the core of my struggle. That’s what led me to Teen Challenge. I know I’ve been called here by God, and this time, I’m ready to surrender everything.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if you live by the spirit you will put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

When I was growing up, life was pretty simple. I grew up with a single mom and was the oldest of 3. My addiction began well over 20 years ago. I originally used to numb the pain of failed relationships. I lost my wife and my kids and with that brought continued fear of future failures. I had a crisis recently which made me fearful of falling back into addiction. So I am here in Teen Challenge now because I had prayed and God answered me. I met a man named Russ Coffey who had spoken to my lawyer and got me into the Teen Challenge out here from Tennessee. I am here to accomplish sobriety, stability, and spiritual growth.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Growing up I had a pretty decent childhood. I was blessed to have good parenting. I started smoking marijuana right after high school, but my real addiction of alcohol started around the age of 23. At first it was boredom that I used, but once I became dependent on alcohol my life started to spiral and I started avoiding my responsibilities. Failure and depression due to drinking brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here to stay sober and to better my relationship with Christ. I didn’t know this was a faith based program but quickly realized it what exactly what I was looking for. I hope to be a devout Christian the best way I can and to hopefully disciple others.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 139: 1-2 “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

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.”

I had a nice childhood until my father passed in 2008, afterwards life became regularly chaotic and my family support system began breaking down. I dabbled with substances in college, but after graduating my structure and focus in life was absent and it was only 2 years before I started using drugs daily. I used drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for uncomfortable feelings and as a crutch in social situations. Over the past year my substance abuse has gotten more out of control. My family became concerned and found out about Teen Challenge. I am here to regain control of my life, and to feel better about myself. I hope to learn coping skills I missed out on when I was younger. I hope to take better care of myself and my health and to get closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever.

Life growing up was normal, I grew up without my father from middle school to high school. It was just me and my mom and sister bouncing around Arizona, Colorado, and Mexico. I graduated high school and started working. My addiction began after my divorce in 2025. I believe I used to forget and get rid of the things that were going on due to the divorce. I had no one to turn to, so I came to Teen Challenge to get my life together and grow closer to God. I am here to find a new direction in my life, and to be an example to others of what Christ has done for me and my life. I hope to become better equipped with the Word of God and be able to apply Christ’s wisdom on a daily basis.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11 – “When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, when I became a man, I put aside childish things.”

I think it was good that I grew up in a nice home with a good family. I was about 15 or 16 years old when my addiction began. I believe I used substances to escape, to feel accepted, to feel good, and to remove stress from myself. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I ended up really down in my addiction, and found myself on probation. I am here at Teen Challenge for myself, for my family, my kids and to get my life right! I hope to finish this program, to be able to change and to get closer to God.

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 submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.

I believe I had a normal childhood growing up. I would say my addiction began during college and in my first marriage. I used drugs because we drank in college and in my first marriage because we drank to have fun. It was a recent health crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge. Due to the drinking I started in college and continued into my first marriage, I experienced a few DUI’s and ultimately my marriage failed. I was sober nearly a decade in my second marriage and our divorce led to my relapse. My drinking became more severe and I ended up in hospitals several times. Most recently I had a blood pressure level that can induce a stroke, so I detoxed and entered into this program. Unfortunately, I relapsed after ten years of sobriety. My goal now is to have an intimate relationship with Christ both during and after this program.

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

My life was very chaotic while I was growing up.  My addiction began when I was 17 years old. I believe I was using in order to look for a quick fix. I was lost and empty spiritually, I came here to look for purpose. I am here to become more intimate with the Lord. I hope to find hope and discipline while I’m here.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 7:23 “This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’

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”

I would describe my childhood as great. I lived on a ship in the ocean until I was about 3 and then moved to Morocco until I was around 13. I was 17 when I moved to the United States, where I started using drugs to try and fit in with the crowd. I felt different because I was from a foreign country. After years of using and damage to family, friends and relationships, I decided it was time for a change. I know the Holy Spirit brought me into Teen Challenge of Arizona. I aim to complete the program and be renewed. I hope to one day become the Kitchen Coordinator at the Tucson Men’s Induction Center.

Favorite Scripture: Genesis 3:19 “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

My parents spoiled me as a child, but I didn’t experience much love from my family aside from that. My addiction began when I was 17 years old. I used substances to fill a void of love, self-acceptance and friendship that I was missing. A recent crisis that brought me here to Teen Challenge was a break up, which led to using drugs and alcohol. I couldn’t bring myself to forgive and be forgiven. I am here to restore my life, to be free of drugs and alcohol, and to learn how to love and be loved. I hope to be closer to God so that I can be freed of addictions in my life and to create a better foundation for love in my life.

Favorite Scripture: John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

I was born into a Christ loving family on my mom’s side. I grew up with both parents but my mom mainly played both roles of mother and father. My father loved his kids but at the same time did not take care of his responsibilities as a husband and father, though he has improved now. My struggles weren’t with substances but with lust and pornography, it started at 11 or 12 years old when I was exposed to an adult film. That lust created a gateway to promiscuity for years. My lead pastor and spiritual father knew about my struggles and advised I enter into Teen Challenge. I am here to move, to be in tune with, and to be led by the Holy Spirit. I hope that my relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy spirit is intimate and better.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 37:4 “Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

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.

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.”

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, life was good. I grew up in a small town in a big loving family, full of things like tee-ball and cookouts. It was a happy time in my life. My addiction began around 22 years old after an extremely messy break-up. I believe I used alcohol because I was bored and it was legal. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I could feel myself spiraling, and felt like I was dying. I am here to get right with God, and to be sober so I can be the dad my boy deserves. I hope to figure out who I am without booze, and who this new creature is.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

Life growing up for me was unstable, my addiction began when I was 19 years old. I believe I used drugs and alcohol as form of stress relief. Recently I found myself in crisis due to drinking. That crisis ended up bringing me to Teen Challenge. I am here in Teen Challenge now because my family asked that I come to get treatment. Now that I am here, I hope to accomplish having peace in my life.

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.