Restored and Reunited, Juanita’s Story

Juanita grew up in a small farming town in California’s Central Valley, one of five sisters born to parents from Mexico. But poor choices led Juanita into a seven-year heroin addiction.

“I never understood how being addicted—hurting myself—could be hurting others or my family.”

Juanita’s addiction grew out of control—until she was arrested. The judge told her, “I never want to see you in my court again….I’m sending you to Teen Challenge. You’d better make it work. If not, you’ve got something else waiting for you—more jail time.”

Grateful to avoid prison, Juanita completed the one-year program. After she graduated in 1999, she joined Teen Challenge as a staff member and worked in Ventura for seven years.

At Teen Challenge, Juanita learned that she was not alone, that there were many other women going through similar situations. Working with the amazing leaders at Teen Challenge inspired her to be an effective Christian leader too, which she is today.

This is possible because you were there to help Juanita when she needed you. Today our work continues, giving new women and men a chance at a new life, filled with hope and freedom.

Juanita’s daughter Ashley was about eight years old when her mother joined the staff in Ventura. That gave Ashley and her two siblings the unique experience of growing up at a Teen Challenge center.

And today Ashley works at Ventura Teen Challenge! She can’t even imagine life without her mother.

“I know I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without my mom because she taught me to be myself and to love people. I don’t think I would’ve gotten to know Jesus or the power of prayer. I’m just so glad that God saved my mom’s life!”

Juanita is grateful to her own mom, a godly mother who stepped in when she needed help with her children. Because of Juanita’s restoration at Teen Challenge, there is now a godly legacy—three generations of godly women serving Christ!

And you helped make that possible!

This amazing healing work continues among the women and men at Teen Challenge. In fact, the need has never been greater. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen an increase in addictions and overdoses. We need your donations to continue this work.

Teen Challenge of Southern California is completely donor supported. We do not accept government funding or any other source of support that will require us to water down the message that Jesus is the source of new life.

In addition, we remain committed to not charging those who need our help. Once a person falls to addiction and needs help to recover, they rarely have the financial resources to pay for help. That’s why we need you!

Today will you please send your most generous gift to help those who need to recover from addiction—and build a godly legacy of their own? We can’t do it without you.

Juanita grew up in a small farming town in California’s Central Valley, one of five sisters born to parents from Mexico. But poor choices led Juanita into a seven-year heroin addiction.

“I never understood how being addicted—hurting myself—could be hurting others or my family.”

Juanita’s addiction grew out of control—until she was arrested. The judge told her, “I never want to see you in my court again….I’m sending you to Teen Challenge. You’d better make it work. If not, you’ve got something else waiting for you—more jail time.”

Grateful to avoid prison, Juanita completed the one-year program. After she graduated in 1999, she joined Teen Challenge as a staff member and worked in Ventura for seven years.

At Teen Challenge, Juanita learned that she was not alone, that there were many other women going through similar situations. Working with the amazing leaders at Teen Challenge inspired her to be an effective Christian leader too, which she is today.

This is possible because you were there to help Juanita when she needed you. Today our work continues, giving new women and men a chance at a new life, filled with hope and freedom.

Juanita’s daughter Ashley was about eight years old when her mother joined the staff in Ventura. That gave Ashley and her two siblings the unique experience of growing up at a Teen Challenge center.

And today Ashley works at Ventura Teen Challenge! She can’t even imagine life without her mother.

“I know I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without my mom because she taught me to be myself and to love people. I don’t think I would’ve gotten to know Jesus or the power of prayer. I’m just so glad that God saved my mom’s life!”

Juanita is grateful to her own mom, a godly mother who stepped in when she needed help with her children. Because of Juanita’s restoration at Teen Challenge, there is now a godly legacy—three generations of godly women serving Christ!

And you helped make that possible!

This amazing healing work continues among the women and men at Teen Challenge. In fact, the need has never been greater. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen an increase in addictions and overdoses. We need your donations to continue this work.

Teen Challenge of Southern California is completely donor supported. We do not accept government funding or any other source of support that will require us to water down the message that Jesus is the source of new life.

In addition, we remain committed to not charging those who need our help. Once a person falls to addiction and needs help to recover, they rarely have the financial resources to pay for help. That’s why we need you!

Today will you please send your most generous gift to help those who need to recover from addiction—and build a godly legacy of their own? We can’t do it without you.

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