Page 24 - Harnett Life Summer 2019

hand, but this usually isn’t possible, so they introduce
How a long-term stay can yield
lifelong changes at Cape Fear
Teen Challenge
By Morgan Brown
location so far. When a student completes the program’s
curriculum, they would go through the final phase of the
program: re-entry, essentially getting re-acclimated back
into society. Each student must have an exit plan before
leaving. During this phase, students individually consult
with Pastor Holly Loyer to develop their exit plan, and
they are then allowed to start looking for and interviewing
for jobs to begin working, and also looking for a church
they would like to be a part of after graduating. If a student
chooses not to go out for a job search, they have the op-
tion of doing office work within the facility and have the
opportunity to stay and be an intern after graduating. As
an intern, the student would be provided a room and can
live on staff for 6 months and have the option to transfer to
another location to complete their internship there.
The students’ schedule can change day to day, but they all
begin with a devotion at 7:30am, one of the few constants
in their routine, the notably consistent Wednesday evening
Bible study. The week is broken up by similar activities
on alternating days. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri-
For an organization with 1,000 locations worldwide (200 in days, students attend chapel service from 9 – 10am, but
the U.S.), finding out that its name isn’t readily recognizable will spend that hour in prayer on Tuesdays, and in a group
sounds surprising. Part of ‘Adult & Teen Challenge USA,’ meeting on Thursdays. The group work time is import-
a long-term Christian rehabilitation and recovery center, ant because within this time, the students delve into their
Cape Fear Teen Challenge is the program’s Elizabethtown GSNC (Group Studies for New Christians) workbook, a
location, and it opened July 1, 2018. It can accommodate 10 core component of the curriculum that each student must
participants; in this case the participants are women age 18 complete before graduating. Students also study from
– 45. The national program began in 1958 and was known PSNC (Personal Studies for New Christians) workbooks,
as ‘Teen Challenge’ until 2018 when the name was changed programs personalized to each student. These study mate-
to ‘Adult and Teen Challenge.’ The Bible based curriculum rials are vital because it serves as a guide to help students
and holistic healing approach are what sets it apart from learn to observe and gain a different perspective on what
what most people may consider to be ‘traditional’ rehabs, they are going through during their time within the pro-
lasting 30, 60, or 90 days. A long term stay of 12 – 15 gram. Quiet time begins at 9 pm, a time for students to
months gives the Teen Challenge program an edge over a write in their journal or simply reflect on their day. “We’re
short term facility. It is likely that in the shorter-stay pro- always constantly on the move,” said Housing Supervisor
grams, participants may complete the program, but haven’t Jackie Horton.
had the time to work through the emotions and feelings that
need to be acknowledged and addressed in order to gain as Weekends bring a chance to slow down and enjoy some
much benefit as possible from the program. free time on Saturday mornings, and Sundays are filled
with church services, morning and evening. The group
Teen Challenge has an 86% rate throughout the program goes to a different church each week, usually chosen at
overall, and there has been one graduate from the Cape Fear random. Horton said they try to contact pastors before-
7759_Harnett.indd 24 7/1/19 2:21 PM
themselves when they arrive. “Most people don’t really
know we’re out here yet,” she said, so explaining to the
new congregations who they are and what they do is a
way to bring community awareness to the Teen Challenge
program.
Members from the congregation of these churches some-
times volunteer at the facility, doing devotions with the
students, and different pastors from the surrounding area
come in to lead chapel services. The students’ schedule
also includes a weekly visit from Mrs. Wanda, a volun-
teer from Raleigh who comes in to do arts and crafts on
Tuesday afternoons. People who are able to volunteer
their time provide an invaluable service, but the program
welcomes monetary and tangible donations as well. Mon-
etary donations can be made online via the Facebook page
or website (www.capefearteenchallenge.com), or with a
check in the mail. Monthly sponsorships are an alternative
way to contribute; monthly donations go towards support-
ing new participants or current participants who are un-
able to support their stay.
hand, but this usually isn’t possible, so they introduce Horton is an advocate of the Bible based course of study
within the Teen Challenge program because as a partici-
themselves when they arrive. “Most people don’t really
pant in 2015, having previously been to 12 different secu-
know we’re out here yet,” she said, so explaining to the
new congregations who they are and what they do is a lar rehabilitation facilities to no avail, she said Bible study
was the one thing that worked for her and the Bible teach-
way to bring community awareness to the Teen Challenge
ings were something the previous facilities did not offer.
program.
Members from the congregation of these churches some- “The one thing I found that helped me here… here, it
times volunteer at the facility, doing devotions with the taught you the truth. It tells you that you’re a new creation,
students, and different pastors from the surrounding area the old is gone the new has come.” The long-term pro-
come in to lead chapel services. The students’ schedule gram was beneficial to her because “I got to really walk
also includes a weekly visit from Mrs. Wanda, a volun- through my emotions and my feelings.” She learned that
teer from Raleigh who comes in to do arts and crafts on “the [drug] use was not the solution,” and coming to this
Tuesday afternoons. People who are able to volunteer conclusion was something she would not have had time
their time provide an invaluable service, but the program to do in a short-term secular rehab. “It taught me how to
welcomes monetary and tangible donations as well. Mon- walk this new life of recovery.” She said, “the Bible teach-
etary donations can be made online via the Facebook page es you to look past your mistakes and look to the future,”
or website (www.capefearteenchallenge.com), or with a and she wants the students to know that their past doesn’t
check in the mail. Monthly sponsorships are an alternative define them. The program is relatable, she said, because
way to contribute; monthly donations go towards support- “once you get that relationship with God and start to walk
ing new participants or current participants who are un- in His love …you have people who are walking it with
able to support their stay. you, who are right where you are in that moment. You
realize you are not alone.”
Horton is an advocate of the Bible based course of study
within the Teen Challenge program because as a partici-
pant in 2015, having previously been to 12 different secu- Best Friends
lar rehabilitation facilities to no avail, she said Bible study
was the one thing that worked for her and the Bible teach-
ings were something the previous facilities did not offer. Deserve the Best Care
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realize you are not alone.”
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