Casa Grande gives Hope
to Women and their Children by Don Blascak
Symbolic of the remarkable work in the area of faith-based recovery over
the last 50 years is Teen Challenge’s “Home Of Hope” in
Casa Grande. The folksy title “Home of Hope” conjures up the
vision of a small cottage somewhere with apple pie fresh out of the oven
and perhaps a seasonal fire burning in the hearth. In the case of this particular
edifice, nothing could be farther from the reality. The facility, now in
its fourth year, has the feeling of home but on a much larger scale. Built
many years ago as an assisted living facility in Casa Grande, this 65,000
square foot complex has gone through many seasons before its present purpose
was revealed.
Through a season of neglect and vandalism, a vision and a mission came together to produce a renovated world class “Home” for women, many with children, at last ready to escape the bonds of addiction and substance abuse. The Home is a relatively new concept within the acclaimed mission and facilities of Teen Challenge of Arizona. It offers sanctuary, recovery and opportunities for transformation. It is a “community for recovery” in the Teen Challenge system.
The facility houses 50 women and children as client/guests in residence. It is not a detox facility. A guest must come openly and willingly, often at a time when there is no other hope and the woman is just plain tired of being tired. The prospective client needs to want to experience the programs offered at the Home of Hope and evidences this by the completion of an honest, often painful, seventeen-page application.
The facility, fully licensed by the state of Arizona, offers a safe and loving environment where staff and counselors offer encouragement, life skills training, re-entry advise, parenting, mentoring, teachers on site and an over-arching mantel of faith. More seasoned guests act as big sisters and provide a trusting and empathetic relationship. The program offered lasts from 12 to 15 months and after completion of initial phases the guest has the opportunity to enjoy an apartment setting.
Guests range in age from 18 to well into their 50’s. Women with as many as three children have participated. The children have ranged from infant to 8 years old. Several clients have given birth within its safe confines. The facility, like other Teen Challenge sites, enjoys a very low recidivism rate. It is indeed a community dedicated to a wellness that only belief and faith can provide. Graduation is marked by a referral to a faith community.
Seventy percent of the client /guests were long time crystal meth users. At a recent graduation “Shana” testified, “I used crystal meth for eight years and lost my whole family. Since coming to the Home of Hope, God has given my life and family back to me. I am so grateful that I have a Savior that loves me no matter what.” Her son “Lou” testifies, “Thank You, Jesus, for giving me back my Mom and Dad.”
There are many volunteer opportunities available at the Home of Hope. For more information on how you can share the joy of renewal, call Sharon at 520-836-5030.
This year, Teen Challenge celebrates 50 years of offering a new life to those who have reached the end of their hope. A banquet to celebrate this milestone will be held here in Tucson in early November. For information on this vital ministry and how you can become personally involved, please visit www.azteenchallenge.org.© 2008 Good News Tucson™
