Teen Challenge is a Christian based organisation which started caring for troubled youth in New York City in 1958. The program now has over 500 autonomous locations in 90 different countries worldwide.
Teen Challenge is regarded as one of the most successful drug rehabilitation programs in the world and strives to help the
‘whole person’.
Many of the young people who come to Teen Challenge with their drug problems and associated troubled lifestyles often
come from a background of being unwanted, left out and forgotten by society.
The Teen Challenge approach is to teach a whole new way of living by addressing family relationships, work attitudes, self image, peer pressure, temptation, community relationships and a variety of other life skills. The program has a documented success rate of 86% of those who complete it.
The six states of Australia have Teen Challenge centres and are recognised public benevolent institutions under Australian tax law.
How long has the organisation been operating?
- Teen Challenge began life in New York in 1958 and in WA in 1985. It is an incorporated body with tax deductible and DGR status and has a Board of Management.
- Executive Director, Malcolm Smith, heads up a team of 7 dedicated staff at the Head Office in Perth. As well as administrative support, staff also provide support for those young people and families seeking freedom from drugs and success in life via the Teen Challenge programs (listed below.)
- The rehabilitation and training program in Esperance is run by a staff of 12 including a Director and two Program Managers.
What are the key functions / services / programs delivered by the organisation?
- Rehabilitation of young people with drug, alcohol and life control problems.
- “Students” (so-called because of the educational aspect of the program) de-tox ‘cold turkey’ from all addictive substances including cigarettes.
- Character development through the completion of six modules which deal with: self-esteem; reforming relationships; forgiveness; respect for authority and others; developing a structured lifestyle, personal discipline.
- Students also participate in music, singing, drama and sport.
- As well, students are involved in caring for the 250 acre property, market gardening, sheep farming, cattle raising, etc.
- There are various TAFE courses to choose from: Introduction to: Audio Recording, Computers, Printing and
Graphic Design and Trades (Automotive). These courses help students with their job prospects on leaving the program.
- Grace Fellowship supports students before they enter and when they leave the program. The male and female co-coordinators maintain contact with the young people on the waiting list, and encourage them while they wait for a place to become available. Similarly, when students leave the program, Grace Fellowship helps students settle back into community life.
- Grace Day Academy, Perth, is a program attended by people on the waiting list for Grace Academy. Females attend on Tuesday and males on Wednesday. The program includes teaching on life skills, and prepares the young people for life at Grace Academy, Esperance. Work duties are also undertaken and the young people enter into group discussions over lunch, which is provided.
- The “Solutions” seminar, held once a month, helps parents and friends of young people with life control problems.
- The “Say NO To Drugs” prevention program is presented in high and primary schools by graduate Teen Challenge students.
- As well as the rehabilitation centre Grace Academy in Esperance, Teen Challenge also provides speakers and
drug prevention programs to schools, service clubs, community groups and churches across WA.
Teen Challenge WA Executive Management and Board:
- Malcolm Smith, Executive Director
- Neil Moore, Chairman of the Board
- Peter Ferrall, Deputy Chairman
- Mike Keating, Treasurer
- Michelle Pearse, Member
- Ken Fletcher, Member
- Ray Moran, Member
- Brett Hilton, Member
- Ben Eggleston, Member
Teen Challenge Foundation Board:
The main activity of this Board is fundraising for Teen Challenge.
- Adam Davey - Director, Private Clients and Institutional - Patersons Securities Limited
- Peter Ferrall – Peter Ferrall & Son’s Beds Plus
- Stan Perron – Chairman, Perron Group
- Alan Bishop - Managing Director, EBM Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
- Terry Bailey - The Bailey Group
- Neil Costley - Manager WA, Corporate Super - AMP Financial Services
- James Chan - Managing Director, Joondalup Resort International Pty Ltd
- Peter McLachlan – Regional Sales & Distribution Manager WA & NT, QBE Australia
- Malcolm Smith - Executive Director, Teen Challenge WA
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