Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada continues to help individuals struggling with substance abuse with the renovation of its Community Office in Thunder Bay to open this summer.
Although Adult & Teen Challenge is a faith-based foundation, the program is open to everyone and anyone who wants help. The community of Thunder Bay needs to know that when men seek treatment programs for drug or alcohol addiction, we should be the treatment centre of choice.
“You don’t have to be a Christian to come to Adult & Teen Challenge, we want to help people get free from substance abuse, drugs, alcohol,” says Terrence McKenzie, Adult and Teen Challenge Thunder Bay Development Director. Addictive behaviours do not discriminate based on religious principles and drugs of alcohol can plague anyone.
The organization emphasizes long-term recovery; its long-term program focuses on substance-use disorder and is a minimum residence of one year, followed by an 18-month phase that can be completed in or outside of the program residence over a total of 30 months. We feel this recovery process can and will enable positive results for the Thunder Bay area.
“I think most people in addiction would agree that this isn’t something that’s just going to be fixed overnight, or through one session at detox or through a short-term program,” said McKenzie. “There’s a foundation that needs to be re-laid in people’s lives so that they can start building upon it.”
McKenzie became involved with Adult and Teen Challenge as a graduate of the long-term program. He had grown up Burnaby, British Columbia, and had an unstable upbringing and lacked role models; he began doing drugs when he was 13 years old. He learned about Adult and Teen Challenge in his early twenties when he attended one of their events and graduates shared their stories.
“It struck a chord within me and I’m like, ‘well if this guy can get help, anyone can,” explained McKenzie. “I was hopeless, but I knew that there was something better out there. I grew up in church, so I definitely had good teachings growing up and it all came flooding back [and made me think], ‘Is this really what you want to do with your life?’”
Renovations are in progress at the Adult & Teen Challenge Thunder Bay Community Office. Image: submitted.
McKenzie underwent the long-term program for drug abuse at 23 and has since been sober for 16 years; he and his wife Bonnie are expecting a baby. He has traveled and worked with Adult and Teen Challenge in British Columbia and Manitoba before moving to Thunder Bay with his wife to work at Adult and Teen Challenge Thunder Bay. His triumphant addiction treatment story is what we want to project and with his guidance in the recovery support of others, our mission will be true.
Thunder Bay’s Community Office is currently under construction, with a tentative opening date at the end of June. The office, which is separate from the men’s and women’s homes, will serve as a bridge to the Thunder Bay community and provide substance abuse programming and alcoholism and drug dependence support to people unable to undergo its long-term treatment program.
“Whether you’re in addiction, or you’re walking along with someone in addiction, we can help provide tools, we can help people with grief, we can help people have a place where they can have a voice,” said McKenzie, adding they have been offering a Freedom Church service at the Summit Church every second and fourth Sunday night of the month for people in recovery.
“Ultimately, the goal is to help people find freedom from their addictions.”
There are multiple ways to help or become involved with Adult and Teen Challenge. Donations, from clothing to household furniture, can be made to Adult & Teen Challenge Super Thrift, which supports and funds the women’s home. The Vehicle Donation Program supports the men’s home and provides a fair market value tax receipt to donors.
People can also become a Monthly Partner and make a financial contribution to Adult and Teen Challenge each month, whether as a one-time or recurring donation. In order for us to grow our programming for substance use disorders, we need your help!
Two upcoming Adult and Teen Challenge Thunder Bay events are the North American Fishing Challenge, which will be held on June 18, and the Annual Golf Tournament, taking place on July 25.
Through the renovation and reopening of the Adult and Teen Challenge Thunder Bay Community Office, McKenzie wants to see more people who wouldn’t normally try to get help reach out to them.
“I think in our world, especially coming out of the pandemic, there hasn’t been a lot of hope and there’s definitely been a lot of fear,” he said. “I’m hoping that through the community office, we’ll be able to help families cut through all that and maybe find hope a little bit sooner.”
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, or for more information — contact an Adult & Teen Challenge Thunder Bay at (807) 345-2277.
