About Us

Orange County Overview

The early years of Orange County Teen Challenge consisted of various homes, offices, and coffee shops. A handful of men and women were committed to bringing freedom to those caught in addictions and prevent many others from ever having to experience the destructiveness of drugs, alcohol and gang violence.

In 1966, some Christian men rented a two story home in Garden Grove where they began outreach and evangelism during the Jesus movement. In 1967, they opened up a coffee house in Huntington Beach called the "Gospel Light Club" where kids by the thousands would come to experience “Jesus, the Ultimate Eternal Trip” which was painted on the wall. The Hippies had their “Love-Ins” and Teen Challenge had their “Praise Ins” in local parks where they would host live music and evangelism. There were several homes throughout OC which were equipped to house the addicts who responded to the altar calls. To help prevent kids from having to suffer through drug addictions, anti-gang and drug rallies were conducted in junior highs and high schools all over OC. Hundreds of thousands of youth heard the message of Teen Challenge in the late 60's.

In the 70's the Orange County Teen Challenge Headquarters was located in the Orange Circle in Orange and drug education in schools, youth rallies, and community outreach continued to be at the forefront of the ministry. It also expanded to outreach in local jails which led to the awarding of Disney’s top award for community outreach. There was also a 24 hour help line and a radio program called “Rap Line” which prevented three teens from committing suicide one night.

In the 80's, Teen Challenge purchased a facility on Main St. in Santa Ana. A “Teen Academy” was opened that provided education, Bible studies, counseling and training to help families with teens overcome addictions.

In the 90's, the residential home for men was opened. It started out with 4 staff and 10 beds for a 3 month induction program. Though the Teen Academy had closed, youth ministry and outreach continued to be the main focus with the "His Kids" group already going strong. The small house on Main St. turned into a lighthouse for the surrounding community. The adult induction program grew into a twenty bed facility. "God’s Gang" was added in 1992 to provide a place for violent and at-risk youth to learn about Jesus.

A computer lab and “Learning Center” was opened for kids to study and receive tutoring after school. Youth outreach spread to San Juan Capistrano and a satellite center for tutoring, youth groups, and neighborhood evangelism was opened in 2002. Groups of at-risk kids are taken, (most for the first time), to winter camps, sports events, and theme parks to develop lasting relationships and provide alternatives to gangs and drugs.

In 2006, Orange County Teen Challenge acquired a 4,000 square foot building which was renovated to facilitate the rapidly growing youth programs. The new building facilitates parenting classes for families with at risk youth and pregnant teens, English as a Second Language classes, and support groups. The house behind it was also purchased and is now used to house graduates in the “Mentoring Program” who are in transition from dependents of Teen Challenge to productive members of society.

In 2009 two additional properties were purchased on Main and Sycamore streets that will be used for the first residential adolescent (boys age 12-17) facility for Teen Challenge in Southern California.

Evangelism and outreach to “at-risk” youth, and families has always been at the heart of the ministry in Orange County Teen Challenge.

Program Information

Orange County Teen Challenge has two locations, the headquarters is located in Santa Ana, and an outreach center in San Juan Capistrano. The Men’s home, afterschool learning center, and re-entry home are located in the city of Santa Ana. The outreach center in San Juan Capistrano is modeled after the Santa Ana location and its outreach operations mirror the outreach programs that take place in Santa Ana.