Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge has been a local beacon of hope for men living with addiction for over 37 years. Established in 1987, this Christ-centered residential recovery program in Carthage has continuously adapted to meet the needs of those seeking a path to healing. This year, Adult & Teen Challenge is looking forward to expanding its outreach with new initiatives and new locations.
Situated on 31 country acres, the facility offers residential dormitories, three complete meals a day, and access to recreational facilities. Men ages 18 and up living with drug or alcohol-related addiction are eligible to become residents.
“We want them to know there is hope,” said Brian Decker, chief development director. “When we go out in the community, that’s our message. It can feel hopeless, but there is hope.”
The organization’s commitment to comprehensive recovery works through a curriculum that concentrates on addiction-focused recovery by incorporating personalized growth plans, group therapy, character building, and faith.
According to Decker, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge’s success comes from its Christ-centered recovery model, with over 70 admissions in 2023 and a long-term program retention rate of 87.8% at the Sandhills chapter.
Results from a 2019 National Outcomes Study by Evangel University found that Adult & Teen Challenge programs have a 78% success rate. Decker explained that this success is because residents undergo a transformative experience, learning discipline, accountability, and responsibility for their actions.
Decker explained daily routines include waking up on time, making beds, dressing presentably, attending classes, and participating in prayers, with a goal of teaching residents how to be productive members of society.
To further improve residents’ lives, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge recently partnered with Sandhills Community College to enroll residents in the college’s Career Readiness Program. Through this program, the organization provides residents with valuable resources, including GED classes, life skills training, resume building, and job interview preparation.
Residents are also given the opportunity to work and train with local employers. Decker noted work training with regional employers ensures a smooth transition, enhancing the chances of successful long-term recovery.
“Some guys come in and have zero life skills; others come in and are lawyers or doctors,” Decker explained. Training in Career Readiness and performing hands-on work allows residents to gain skills they may have previously lacked and reintegrate into society.
Recognizing the importance of mental health in the recovery process, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge now offers licensed clinical counseling services. Upon enrollment, participants receive treatment plans with scheduled sessions. Licensed clinical mental health counselors conduct assessments, provide counseling, offer rehabilitation support, and facilitate transitional services.
Though Adult & Teen Challenge continues to evolve, it remains rooted in the principles guiding its creation. Discipleship plays a central role, creating a relationship with God and establishing foundational Christian disciplines and character through the curriculum and regular chapel services several times a week.
Faith has always been a key component of the Adult & Teen Challenge’s foundation. It was started in 1958 when founder David Wilkerson read about teenage gang violence in New York City in a Life Magazine article and felt a call from God to begin outreach.
What began as an inner-city outreach for youth involved in gangs in 1960 has grown into a network of over 200 Adult & Teen Challenge programs across the United States and more than 1,400 centers in 129 nations.
“If you or someone you love is struggling with drugs, there is hope,” emphasized Decker. “It’s not about what you did; it’s about what He did.”
To learn more about Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge or to review the admissions process, visit www.sandhillstc.org.
Feature photo: L-R; Steve Coleman, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge program director; Tommy Scarboro, board member; and Brian Decker, chief development director.
~Article, photo, and video by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Abegail Murphy.
