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  • Does Teen Challenge have centres other than in Queensland?
    Teen Challenge began in New York City in 1958 and now has representation in more than 118 nations including Australia. The Australian Teen Challenge program commenced in 1971 and now has operations in each of the states. Each Australian state based program is independently incorporated, governed by a Board of Directors from that state with no formal affiliations with other Teen Challenge centres, either nationally in Australia or internationally with America and other overseas centres.
  • What qualifications does Teen Challenge staff possess?
    The minimum level qualification for all Teen Challenge staff with client contact is a nationally accredited Certificate IV in Youth Work or Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work or working towards these qualifications. Teen Challenge also employs staff with bachelor level qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling and Theology.
  • Does Teen Challenge have professional medical and mental health support for its clients?
    Teen Challenge has contractual arrangements with general practitioners and mental health professionals who participate in the case management of clients on a day to day basis.
  • Are clients in residential treatment programs under lock and key?
    Teen Challenge residential facilities never lock clients in and clients may depart at their own discretion. However, should a client depart from the program without permission, they may be in breach of the terms of their continued participation in the program. A client can negotiate with their caseworker to leave the Centre to attend to personal matters at any time.
  • Can Teen Challenge clients in a residential treatment program have contact with family and friends?
    A client can expect to have regular contact with family and friends during their time at a Teen Challenge centre. Clients can arrange for family and friends to visit them at the Centre and are free to visit family and friends during routine weekend leave from the program. ​ During the initial stage of their recovery, contact (including telephone calls) with family and friends is restricted until clients are equipped to deal with the issues around family and friends that are related to their addiction. Correspondence via mail is permitted at all times.
  • Does Teen Challenge take the Centrelink benefit of their clients?
    Teen Challenge clients voluntarily make an arrangement with Centrelink for Teen Challenge to receive their Centrelink benefit directly to assist with the costs associated with food and accommodation. Fifteen per-cent of the client’s Centrelink payment is given to the client by Teen Challenge. This is common practice among residential treatment providers across the nation. The money from Centrelink provides approximately one third of the total costs associated with the client’s rehabilitation.
  • Are Teen Challenge clients in residential programs permitted to smoke?
    The New Life Centre treats the whole person as they recover from addiction and therefore do not permit a client to continue with a nicotine addiction. Clients are informed about this prior to entry and are supported by Teen Challenge Regional Outreach Workers in the referral process. This may include reducing the number of cigarettes smoked each day prior to entry. Clients are encouraged to use nicotine patches and other products that will assist with the process of withdrawal. ​ New Hope House and Outreach Services do not insist clients refrain from smoking.
  • Where does Teen Challenge get its funding?
    Teen Challenge employs a range of funding initiatives including event fundraising, donor campaigns and sponsorship programs. Teen Challenge has successfully applied for government funding for specific projects and for capital improvements.
  • Is Teen Challenge associated with a particular religious denomination?
    Each of the Teen Challenge centres in Australia work with all Christian Churches and denominations.
  • To what extent is Christianity taught in Teen Challenge programs?
    Teen Challenge is a Christian based program. Our courses are based on principles, ethics and morals as outlined in the Bible. Students have the opportunity to attend church and participate in regular Bible studies.​While Christian beliefs provide the basis of all Teen Challenge programs, compatible psychological principles and therapeutic approaches are integrated from a variety of theoretical models to support the recovery of the young people in need.
  • Does Teen Challenge pray for its clients?
    Teen Challenge staff may offer to pray for clients and will only do so with the client’s consent.
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Joanne Hobbs

Executive Director

The very existence of Teen Challenge QLD is focused on ‘Restoring Hope and Rebuilding Lives’. This is not just the core of what we do, but who we are. Our passion and commitment to see men and women set free from the destructive lifestyle of addiction, is unwavering.

 

Our recovery program focuses on individual needs. We understand that addiction is only a symptom of underlying issues, so we are invested in the recovery of the men and women in our care, by helping them to unpack those issues to live a full and purposeful life.  

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Many of the young people that come through our doors are so broken that it is only God who can reach into their heart to bring healing and provide hope.

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