Community Outreach

Our School Presentation team visits schools, from kindergarten through high school, putting on shows for the kids. For the younger ones, there is a puppet show, and for the older ones, skits that are both fun and informative. There is a definite message in the skits, most often an anti-drug one or a "school is cool" theme. In addition, between skits, members of the team give personal testimonies of their past life of drug abuse and how Teen Challenge has given them a chance at a new life.

One of the many ways Teen Challenge serves the community is the New Creation Drama Team. Comprised of 10 to 15 Teen Challenge students, the drama teams are a very effective and fun way of reaching out to the community. Like our school team presentations there is a definite message in the skits, most often an anti-drug message. In churches and in public community programs, between skits, members of the drama team give personal testimonies of their past life of drug abuse and how Christ and Teen Challenge have given them a chance at a new life.

Every week, a team of Teen Challenge students and staff members visits Juvenile Hall. Our students believe that by reaching out to these troubled youths, and sharing how Christ and Teen Challenge have helped them to turn their lives around, they will give these teens the hope they need to know that they are capable of making similar changes in their own lives.

Teams are invited into private and public schools to present informative, age relevant presentations which encourage youngsters not to use drugs. Those who are already using drugs are counseled.

The New Creation Choir is a group of students who sing and provide testimonies. They travel to local churches and organizations all over Southern California. So many people in the community are directly affected by the tragedy of drug abuse. Either they are personally involved with drugs or a son or daughter or mother or father or friend or loved one is being devastated by dangerous drugs.The New Creation Choir, through their inspiring songs and life changing testimonies is always a heart touching ray of hope to anyone who seesand hears them. If you would like to have the Choir visit your church or school or organization in Southern California contact the center nearest you.

TC Kids serves thousands of children in Southern California through a combination of after-school learning centers, kids and youth clubs, school prevention and outreach programs, camping, and other recreational and cultural opportunities. Local centers offer a range of services to meet the needs of at-risk children and their families in their communities that often include:

His Kids Club

A weekly club meeting for neighborhood children that features Bible stories, scripture memorization, singing, games, crafts, recreation, summer camps and more.

God's Gang Youngsters

This weekly discipleship group is an innovative initiative especially designed for gang members and former gang members. This highly successful discipleship program offers Bible studies, counseling, camping programs, and participative leadership activities.

School Outreaches

Innovative and relevant presentations encourage youngsters to say no to drugs and yes to life!

Street Outreaches

Teen Challenge teams regularly visit needy neighborhoods and conduct Christian-oriented drug and alcohol prevention programs.

After-School Programs

A combination of academic and mentoring programs designed to meet the needs of students in urban communities who are most at risk of academic and social failure. Supplementary educational and enrichment components include tutoring and mentoring (with trained volunteer tutors), computer and technological opportunities, family-related workshops and counseling, and leadership formation activities.

Teen Challenge has established several After-School Learning Centers and Prevention Programs designed to encourage children and youth to achieve their highest academic and individual potential. The After-School Learning Center provides educational components that include tutoring and mentoring (volunteers), technological opportunities, family-related workshops and counseling, leadership formation activities, quality partnerships and individual relationships.

The After-School Learning center staff seeks out those students who are most at-risk for social and/or academic failure with a particular emphasis on those students who:

1. have been identified as victims of child abuse or domestic violence,
2. are from low-income families,
3. are at high risk for academic failure and
4. those who have been identified as “ hard to reach.”

Our Adult Educational Learning and Tutorial Centers serve hundreds of adults each year. These facilities are located in our residential substance abuse recovery centers and are equipped with computers and software designed to increase computer and vocational skills and to supplement employment readiness classes. Many of these learning centers in Southern California are open to the community.