The Teen Challenge ministry in Providence, Rhode Island was established with the mission to provide healing for young women and at-risk youth struggling with addiction. It is a faith-based program that utilizes the transformative power of Jesus Christ to offer spiritual, academic, and vocational training, providing clients with a fresh start. The program is rooted in biblical principles and aims to promote mental stability, emotional well-being, social adjustment, physical health, and spiritual vitality.
ABOUT TEEN CHALLENGE RHODE ISLAND
Teen Challenge is a global network of faith-based rehabilitation programs founded by Reverend David Wilkerson in New York in 1958. The various Teen Challenge facilities offer long-term, residential Christian discipleship programs for individuals battling substance abuse and other life-controlling issues. Located in southwestern Providence, Teen Challenge Rhode Island is specifically dedicated to women aged 18 and above, providing a residential center for their recovery. To ensure a smooth transition, residents are encouraged to undergo detoxification prior to admission.
Teen Challenge Rhode Island operates under the parent branch of Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey. This parent organization also operates centers in Boston and New Haven, Conn.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The treatment program at Teen Challenge Rhode Island has a duration of 15 to 21 months, divided into five phases. Each phase lasts a minimum of three months, but may extend depending on the individual’s progress.
It is important to note that Teen Challenge focuses on non-medical treatment and follows a discipleship model with a strong emphasis on Bible study. The aim is to guide residents in developing qualities such as integrity, self-control, and compassion. However, Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey, including Rhode Island, also offers clinical counseling for co-occurring disorders like bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Notably, the program offers life coaching as well.
In addition to spiritual healing and overcoming addiction, Teen Challenge Rhode Island strives to equip its clients with practical skills. This includes a requirement for each client to obtain a GED or HiSet during their stay and encourages participation in a choir and drug outreach programs. Work therapy is also an integral part of the treatment, allowing residents to gain work experience and develop a strong work ethic. At the women’s center, work training opportunities encompass jewelry-making, cooking, cleaning, call center work, and involvement in drug outreach and awareness activities.
Upon completing the one-year program, clients are eligible to participate in an internship program, which provides up to an additional year of work experience at Teen Challenge. For those who experience relapse after successfully completing the program, a six-month Restoration program is available.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The founder of Teen Challenge Rhode Island’s women’s program is a reverend who has personal experience in long-term recovery from addiction. The facility has received positive feedback about the staff’s level of training and experience.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Residents of Teen Challenge Rhode Island live in a three-story Victorian home situated on a half-acre corner lot. The facility is conveniently located near various businesses and amenities. The cleanliness of the facility has received positive ratings, and the meals/nutrition have been ranked highly by past residents. However, the exercise and leisure offerings were less favorably reviewed.
It is important to note that Teen Challenge has strict regulations regarding medications. Certain medications, including psychotropic medications, are prohibited. Additionally, residents’ contact with individuals outside the program is closely monitored, and all phone calls must be approved.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
An alum who was polled by Best-rehabs.com highly recommends Teen Challenge Rhode Island. They acknowledged that the program was instrumental in their journey to sobriety. However, they also noted that the facility’s strictness created challenges and limited their ability to participate in other recovery programming. Despite this, the alum expressed gratitude for the program’s impact on their character, discipline, and overall skill development. The effectiveness of treatment and the role of faith received high ratings, while holistic offerings and counseling options were rated lower.
The facility has received unanimously positive feedback on external platforms such as Google and Facebook. Users have given the facility five-star ratings, commending the miracles taking place at Teen Challenge Rhode Island.
FINANCING
Treatment at Teen Challenge Rhode Island is offered free of charge. Funding is provided through Teen Challenge’s business ventures, such as thrift stores, as well as through donations and fundraising efforts.