ABOUT TEEN CHALLENGE- COLUMBUS WOMEN’S CENTER- COLUMBUS, GA
Teen Challenge – Columbus Women’s Center, located in Columbus, Ga., offers residential treatment to women struggling with what the facility describes as “life-controlling issues.” Areas addressed through treatment include: Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, eating disorders, depression, sexual abuse, and promiscuity. Teen Challenge is a faith-based network of treatment centers located throughout the United States. The organization was founded in 1958 and their core purpose is written, “To offer life transformation to individuals through Christ-centered programs.”
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility’s treatment program lasts for a minimum of 12 months and is based around the Christian value of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In order to be admitted, clients must complete a personal or phone interview. The program consists of three phases including: Orientation/Induction, Training, and Re-Entry. The first two phases are required to complete the program while the Re-entry phase is optional. The Re-Entry phasegive clients an opportunity to obtain outside employment while still living on campus, paying rent, and staying accountable to the program rules.
Throughout treatment, all clients participate in chapel services, work projects, drama, group counseling, bible curriculum, outreach, job skills training and fundraising as they also work on recovery. Clients learn teachings from the Bible and apply the teaching to their daily life through the support of others who have gone through recovery before them.
Clients receive individual education as they work through a program that has been customized for the specific issues that they are dealing with. The Group Studies program is a group counseling and discussion meeting that is held twice per week and give clients an opportunity to discuss their concerns with staff and each other as they recover.
All clients participate in job skills training during their stay. The Women’s Center runs the Lakeside Event Retreat and Event Center; clients of the program learn about hospitality management as they help to run the facility and graduate with a vocational training certificate. Clients assist in meal preparation, table service, housekeeping, and event preparation. Another work option at the facility is the Teen Challenge SuperThrift store which gives clients retail work experience.
For those interested in working as an employee of the program or completing an internship at the Women’s Center following treatment, Teen Challenge offers an Emerging Leaders Program. This program teaches clients how to teach the program curriculum while developing their character to be humble, compassionate, and selfless.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team includes individuals who have previously completed treatment at Teen Challenge themselves. There is no additional information provided by the facility regarding any other credentials of treatment staff. One former client polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing strongly agreed that the facility staff were experienced and well trained.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
There are not many details provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings. Clients follow a structured schedule during the day and help out with cooking, cleaning, and other chores around the facility.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing there has been one alum polled by Best-rehabs.com. The former client, T.M., had a positive experience at the Teen Challenge and indicated that she now works at the facility to help others overcome their addictions. She did indicate that “They did not accept people who had to take medications for mental disorders.” Overall, she strongly agreed that she would recommend this facility to a friend or loved one who was considering rehab.
On the facility’s Facebook page, which it can manage, there is an overall rating of five out of five stars based on eight total reviews.[1] All of the reviewers had very positive things to say about Columbus Women’s center including an alum, L.L, who gave five stars. She felt that program completely changed her life and wrote, “I went through this program & it was hands down the best thing that ever happened to me. The love & support from the staff is indescribable.” T.S., another alum agreed with that viewpoint. She also gave five stars and wrote, “This program has changed my life and was my vehicle in finding Christ and my identity in Christ. Thank you Jesus and thank you Teen Challenge.”
FINANCING
The cost of treatment at the facility is $1,050 per month, per student in addition to a non-refundable induction fee of $1,350. There are occasionally scholarship opportunities available and students are considered for this option on a case by case basis. The facility indicates in their information packet that they can be flexible with payments and they do not want finances to change a client’s decision to move forward with starting the program.
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