PROGRAM
TRANSFORMING BROKEN LIVES
Teen Challenge of the Dakotas offers a residential program for adult males, 18 years and older. The 14-month program consists of five phases: 8 months of induction and training (the first four phases) and 6 months of re-entry (the fifth and final phase), which is focused on discipleship and assistance in transitioning back into the “real world.”
4-PHASE PROGRAM
TCD as a very comprehensive and holistic, long- term residential program, that is highly structured and disciplined, and proven effective. The programming at TCD has always had a very consistent and strong emphasis on work training and serving in the community.
During the first 8 months of the program, the men are served through the four essential program components, which include (1) Personal Studies, (2) Group Studies, (3) Work Study and (4) Individualized Mentoring. Collectively, these services are designed to address the life-controlling problems which these men struggle to overcome.
During the 4-Phase Program, we come alongside and help our students to get to the root of their issues. We help them come to terms with the deeper issues of the heart, not just focusing on the outward behaviors.
Many of these men haven’t had fathers or a stable family structure of support.
Our staff become mentors and dependable advisers who lead by example, displaying compassion and genuine care. When men discover how much staff members truly care, then they begin to trust their leaders and learn how to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
RE-ENTRY PHASE
The Re-Entry phase of the TCD program is the last 6 months of the total 14-month program.
TCD works with local agencies to help men finish and obtain their GED and find full-time employment. Staff help the men with formulating and maintaining a solid financial budget, and emphasizing responsibility to eliminate debt and to save money for future housing needs.
Men in this phase of the program are also taught to be involved with community service opportunities and special projects. Our students work and serve organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and The Harvest Table program, which serves meals to families and individuals in need in the local community, the Women’s abuse shelter, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which is a program that builds and delivers beds for children and their families in the local community.
In 2015, we finished a complete renovation of our downtown facilities at 317 3rd Avenue in Brookings, SD, where our Re-Entry program is held, in addition to our Home Again Thrift Store (shown below), which is open to the community Saturdays throughout the year, with all proceeds benefiting Teen Challenge of the Dakotas.
TEEN CHALLENGE USA
Teen Challenge of the Dakotas ("TCD") is a part of a larger network called Adult & Teen Challenge USA, a faith-based, Christ-centered addiction recovery organization. TCD is one of over 200 Adult & Teen Challenge USA residential programs throughout the United States. Each center offers a variety of services that provide help for people struggling with drugs, alcohol and other life-controlling issues.
For more information about Adult & Teen Challenge USA, visit here.
2019 National Outcomes Study:
This report was commissioned by ATC leadership to examine the long-term impact of programming on the lives of ATC graduates. Results indicate that 78% of the 340 sample respondents are sober and substance abuse free, after participating in the ATC program. While the entire sample indicated high levels of sobriety, those who remained at ATC as staff or interns were less likely to use the legal substances of alcohol and marijuana than graduates who were not at ATC. Further, on average ATC graduates self-report that they are engaging in spiritual practices such as praying, reading the Bible and attending church, at least on a weekly basis. However, individuals who were sober were far more engaged in spiritual practices, experienced a greater connection to God, higher levels of self-acceptance and love of others. Overall, sample respondents reported increased holistic health indicators in multiple dimensions, following their graduation from an ATC program. Finally the data indicates overwhelming satisfaction in the ATC program. READ MORE
Faith & Recovery Study:
America is in the midst of an acute alcohol and drug addiction crisis. There are different camps in what constitutes the most effective recovery. Some are proposing medical and psychological resources as the first steps in recovery. At Adult & Teen Challenge we feel that faith is necessary in sustaining a drug-free life – a personal relationship with Jesus is the answer. In July 2019, Brian J. Grim and Melissa E. Grim released a paper on their study on faith in preventing and recovering from substance abuse. This is further confirmation of our stance that a faith component is essential to successful recovery. Teen Challenge studies are quoted in the paper. Graduates give three factors for maintaining their sobriety: “staying connected to God”, “family”, and “hanging out with positive people.” READ MORE