InnerMission Teen Challenge Information Packet
Welcome to InnerMission Teen Challenge,
This program lasts for one (1) year or up to fifteen months if the director sees that the student may need a little more time in training. The year is divided into 4 Phases: Phase I (4 months), Phase II (3 months), Phase III (3 months), Phase IV (2 months). Privileges increase with the Phases.
HOW TEEN CHALLENGE BEGAN..
The ministry of Teen Challenge began in 1958 when Rev. David Wilkerson, author of "The Cross and the Switchblade" went to New York City to reach teenage gang members with God's love. There in the heart of the big city slums, Teen Challenge was born. Now there are over 108 Teen Challenge Centers in the United States -and others internationally- helping not only teens, but also adults, with life-controlling problems mainly in the area of drugs and alcohol abuse.
History of Teen Challenge
A research project sponsored by the National Institute of Drug abuse had found Teen Challenge to have a 74% cure rate! Dr. Catherine Hess, study director, states that "whereas treatment in a detoxification facility results in a one percent cure, and therapeutic community's cure rate is about 10 percent, the Teen Challenge has and amazingly high cure rate." Dr. Hess further states, "Teen Challenge is the best I know to get a person off drugs." Dr. John A. Howard, member National Commission on marijuana and Drug Abuse, who echoes her sentiments states, "Of all the programs reported to the Commission, the most successful is the religiously based program conducted by Teen Challenge."
InnerMission Teen Challenge believes in second chances. That is what we are all about. Our goal is to help young men whose lives have been affected by life controlling issues like anger, rebellion and addiction. In our complicated modern world, we understand how difficult it can be to always make right choices--sometimes our choices can have devastating affects on us. We believe that by providing our students with a fresh perspective, they will have the opportunity to realize their potential and pursue their dreams. At InnerMission Teen Challenge, we believe in the power of change. We know, that given the chance, every young person can go on to lead a satisfying and rewarding life.
InnerMission Teen Challenge provides an effective program for teens who are struggling in their home, school or community. The program is specifically designed to help students have a change of heart and replace inappropriate attitudes, behaviors and habits with new, productive ones.
Effectiveness
Teen Challenge effectively ministers to boys with life controlling problems. According to the United States government, a person is considered fully recovered from drug addiction when he has remained drug-free for a period of 5 years. Based on federal and university studies done on various Teen Challenge centers across the United States, the Teen Challenge program has been shown to have a 70-86% cure rate for drug addicts completing Teen Challenge residential programs.
Our emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the reason for our effectiveness in helping boys with life controlling problems. Sin, not drugs/alcohol, etc., is the major root of the problem. The only cure for sin and its symptoms (drugs, alcohol, etc.) is Jesus Christ.
Working with parents is a key component to the success of the program. Families have frequent phone contact with their child's advisor and when appropriate, the student is included. Communication with the family is instrumental in addressing issues, creating a family purpose and vision, reaching understandings and setting goals. InnerMission Teen Challenge’s staff is committed to each student and their family's success.
Christian Focus
InnerMission Teen Challenge believes that the answer for boys with life controlling problems is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While involved in this program, boys will participate in the following:
- Daily Chapels and Bible Studies
- Group Studies for New Christians
- Personal Studies for New Christians
- Regular Church Attendance
- Various Ministry Opportunities
Student Development
InnerMission Teen Challenge Seeks to develop the student as a whole person through the following:
- Goal Setting
- Character Development
- Daily Chores and Work Assignments
- Regular Recreational Activities
- Emphasis on Cooperation
- Physical Training
Academics
The curriculum at InnerMission Teen Challenge is individualized and competency based. This allows students to work at their own pace and maximize the learning process. Students are not held back by others in the class, lesson plans, teachers' schedules, course offerings or class availability. The students are tutored by a teacher and in some cases, they are able to complete courses on an accelerated basis. Each student is assessed upon admission. This is used as an aid to design their specific course of study.
THE TEEN CHALLENGE CURE
InnerMission Teen Challenge is based on four principles:
1.There is hope
2.Sin, not drugs, is the major root problem
3.The only cure for sin and it's symptom, drug abuse, is Jesus Christ
4.Christ within you, which Teen Challenge refers to as the Jesus
Factor, takes the desire for sin out of an individual's life.
When the urge to sin is taken out, the desire for drugs, alcohol and all manner of deviant behavior is removed.
Funding
InnerMissionTeen Challenge receives no national funding. In addition, we receive no government assistance or funds (tax monies). All of our support is raised by our Center. Because Teen Challenge is a non-profit, Christian organization, all gifts are tax-deductible and receipts are issued for each donation.
Phone Calls
1. No phone calls will be allowed during the first two weeks a student is in the program, (Blackout period). Special exceptions are made at the discretion of the Director or assistant.
2. All long distance calls are to be made collect or with personal calling cards. Students are not allowed to have calling cards in their possession. The cards will be kept with the communication list, in their files.
3. There is a ten (10) minute limit on each call. Incoming or outgoing calls must total the number allowed for each phase.
4. All long distance calls are to be made collect or with personal calling cards. Students are not allowed to have calling cards in their possession.
|
Program Phase |
Number of calls per week |
|
Phase I Bronze |
2 10 min. |
|
Phase II Silver |
3 10 min. |
|
Phase III Gold |
3 15 min. |
|
Phase IV Platinum |
4 20 min. |
Passes/ Visitation
Passes
Any authorized time away from our facility is considered a pass, excluding scheduled breaks and personal appointments. There are four types of passes: Program Pass, Visitation Pass, Family Pass, and Emergency Pass.
Students should familiarize themselves with each type of pass and understand the eligibility requirements for each. The passes are not automatic, students must complete a pass request form and submit it to the Director at least 3 days prior. Passes are a privilege, and can denied with improper conduct.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from our facility
when going on a pass.
Except for an emergency pass, students may not take more than one pass in any particular week and may never combine passes with scheduled breaks.
Program Pass:
Students are eligible for a program pass after completing the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth months, and all subsequent months in the program. One pass for each of these months is allowed. Program Passes must be taken within 30 days of the date earned.
|
Month |
Number of hours |
Start time |
Return Time |
|
4 |
Fourteen-hour pass |
Friday, 6pm |
Saturday-8 am |
|
6 |
Sixteen-hour pass |
Friday, 6pm |
Saturday-10 am |
|
8 |
Eighteen-hour pass |
Friday, 6pm |
Saturday-12 pm |
|
10 |
Twenty-two-hour pass |
Friday, 6pm |
Saturday-4 pm |
|
12-15 |
Twenty-four-hour pass |
Friday, 6pm |
Saturday-6 pm |
Visitation Pass:
A Visitation Pass is when students are allowed to leave the premises during visitation. Only students in Silver and beyond are authorized visitation passes. Bronze students must stay on the premises and follow the visitation rules. Visitation Passes occur once a month, on the 2nd Saturday of the Month.
|
Phase |
Hours Allowed |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
Bronze |
5 |
12 noon |
5 pm-on campus only |
|
Silver |
6 |
12 noon |
6 pm-may leave campus |
|
Gold |
8 |
12 noon |
8 pm-may leave campus |
|
Platinum |
10 |
10 A.M. |
8 pm-may leave campus |
Note: The visiting hours may change due to scheduled activities. Parents will be notified of these changes in advance.
Family Pass:
Each student is allowed a maximum of one family pass for special family events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, and other events of special importance. The program director will determine the duration of each family pass based on the location of the event. Since only one pass of this nature is authorized during the time the student is in our program, each student must carefully plan which family event is the most important for him/her to attend.
Emergency Pass:
Emergencies are a part of life and require special and immediate consideration. Upon verification of a qualifying emergency, the director may authorize an Emergency Pass. If so, the director shall complete the request form and ensure the student is aware of the date and time the pass expires. Qualifying emergencies include the death, severe injury, or severe illness of a close family member, or circumstances that threaten their immediate safety.
Abuse of Pass Privileges:
Students, who abuse their pass privileges by failing to return from pass on time, falsifying information on their pass requests, deceiving or attempting to deceive staff with regards to information on their passes, will face disciplinary action. Students returning from a pass will be checked to insure prohibited items are not brought into our facility. Any student caught attempting to bring prohibited items into our facility will face disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include discharge, set back to the student’s previous phase, loss of future passes, or assignment of up to twenty hours of extra duty. The director will determine the appropriate action to be taken.
Mail Procedures:
1. Upon entering the program, the student will complete a list of immediate family and pastors etc., with whom they wish to correspond. These names must be approved by our counselors. Phase I is restricted only for family members. After Phase I students may request to add more individuals to the list. The director will review the list and approve only those who will encourage and be beneficial to the students. No other correspondence will be allowed.
2. All outgoing mail must be left unsealed as counselors may read and approve it. A staff member will screen any incoming mail.
3. Students may not receive mail containing profanity, obscenities, or other information damaging to the Christian growth.
4. All money received through the mail or brought by visitors will be automatically be deposited in the student's account at Teen Challenge and the student will be notified accordingly.
5. All postage stamps received in the mail or brought by visitors will be kept in the office for the student.
6. Students are not allowed to make, or have any contact with a student who has left the program on his own or was asked to leave. They may write to those who have graduated the program.
7. All outgoing mail must be put in the area designated for outgoing mail. Envelopes must be left open. The facility director will read, seal and place one of the student’s stamps on the letter. The letter will then be mailed as soon as possible.
8. Sending mail out through visitors, family or friends is not permitted.
Money Call:
1. Students are allowed to have money for personal use; however, they are required to keep their money in an account maintained by our accounting personnel.
2. All money a student receives through mail, from visitors, etc., will be put in the student account.
3. Money call is for the purpose of getting money for necessary personal items, tithes, and offerings.
4. Students are given a receipt each time they make a deposit or withdrawal from their account.
5. No lending or borrowing money from other friends or staff is allowed.
6. Students cannot exceed $25 in their account.
Cost?
Compared to other programs with similar services InnerMission Teen Challenge is a cost effective program at $1,100 per month plus processing fees.
Teen Challenge
International, USA
Mission Statement
To provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society. By applying Biblical principals, Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually alive.
Teen Challenge
International, USA
“Goal”
To provide prevention programs to the youth of America and to take the faith-based proven treatment techniques developed over the last forty-three years to thousands more who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and see no hope of an effective solution.
InnerMission Teen Challenge
Mission Statement
“to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Acts 26:18