Page 25 - Harnett Life Summer 2019

hand, but this usually isn’t possible, so they introduce
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.
How a long-term stay can yield 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
lifelong changes at Cape Fear 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.
Teen Challenge 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,
By Morgan Brown 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
location so far. When a student completes the program’s also includes a weekly visit from Mrs. Wanda, a volun- through my emotions and my feelings.” She learned that
curriculum, they would go through the final phase of the teer from Raleigh who comes in to do arts and crafts on “the [drug] use was not the solution,” and coming to this
program: re-entry, essentially getting re-acclimated back Tuesday afternoons. People who are able to volunteer conclusion was something she would not have had time
into society. Each student must have an exit plan before their time provide an invaluable service, but the program to do in a short-term secular rehab. “It taught me how to
leaving. During this phase, students individually consult welcomes monetary and tangible donations as well. Mon- walk this new life of recovery.” She said, “the Bible teach-
with Pastor Holly Loyer to develop their exit plan, and etary donations can be made online via the Facebook page es you to look past your mistakes and look to the future,”
they are then allowed to start looking for and interviewing or website (www.capefearteenchallenge.com), or with a and she wants the students to know that their past doesn’t
for jobs to begin working, and also looking for a church check in the mail. Monthly sponsorships are an alternative define them. The program is relatable, she said, because
they would like to be a part of after graduating. If a student way to contribute; monthly donations go towards support- “once you get that relationship with God and start to walk
chooses not to go out for a job search, they have the op- ing new participants or current participants who are un- in His love …you have people who are walking it with
tion of doing office work within the facility and have the able to support their stay. you, who are right where you are in that moment. You
opportunity to stay and be an intern after graduating. As realize you are not alone.”
an intern, the student would be provided a room and can Horton is an advocate of the Bible based course of study
live on staff for 6 months and have the option to transfer to within the Teen Challenge program because as a partici-
another location to complete their internship there. pant in 2015, having previously been to 12 different secu- Best Friends
lar rehabilitation facilities to no avail, she said Bible study
The students’ schedule can change day to day, but they all was the one thing that worked for her and the Bible teach-
begin with a devotion at 7:30am, one of the few constants ings were something the previous facilities did not offer. Deserve the Best Care
in their routine, the notably consistent Wednesday evening
Bible study. The week is broken up by similar activities “The one thing I found that helped me here… here, it
We Provide Comprehensive Veterinary
on alternating days. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- taught you the truth. It tells you that you’re a new creation,
For an organization with 1,000 locations worldwide (200 in days, students attend chapel service from 9 – 10am, but the old is gone the new has come.” The long-term pro-
the U.S.), finding out that its name isn’t readily recognizable will spend that hour in prayer on Tuesdays, and in a group gram was beneficial to her because “I got to really walk Care for Dogs & Cats of All Breeds &
sounds surprising. Part of ‘Adult & Teen Challenge USA,’ meeting on Thursdays. The group work time is import- through my emotions and my feelings.” She learned that Ages, and Exotics.
a long-term Christian rehabilitation and recovery center, ant because within this time, the students delve into their “the [drug] use was not the solution,” and coming to this
Cape Fear Teen Challenge is the program’s Elizabethtown GSNC (Group Studies for New Christians) workbook, a conclusion was something she would not have had time • Immunizations • Checkups • Spay & Neuter
location, and it opened July 1, 2018. It can accommodate 10 core component of the curriculum that each student must to do in a short-term secular rehab. “It taught me how to • Preventive Care • Dental Cleaning • Surgery
participants; in this case the participants are women age 18 complete before graduating. Students also study from walk this new life of recovery.” She said, “the Bible teach-
• Microchipping • Flea Control • Radiology • Lab Testing
– 45. The national program began in 1958 and was known PSNC (Personal Studies for New Christians) workbooks, es you to look past your mistakes and look to the future,”
as ‘Teen Challenge’ until 2018 when the name was changed programs personalized to each student. These study mate- and she wants the students to know that their past doesn’t
to ‘Adult and Teen Challenge.’ The Bible based curriculum rials are vital because it serves as a guide to help students define them. The program is relatable, she said, because
and holistic healing approach are what sets it apart from learn to observe and gain a different perspective on what “once you get that relationship with God and start to walk
what most people may consider to be ‘traditional’ rehabs, they are going through during their time within the pro- in His love …you have people who are walking it with
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 you, who are right where you are in that moment. You
months gives the Teen Challenge program an edge over a write in their journal or simply reflect on their day. “We’re realize you are not alone.”
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. 910-893-2081
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 www.lillingtonvethospital.com

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-

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