Bladen County now has a treatment facility for women who suffer from addiction. Cape Fear Teen Challenge conducted an Open House Saturday to give Bladen County residents the opportunity to view the facility and to learn more about the program.
Pastor Holly Loyer, with Teen Challenge, said the business owners and residents the staff has met as they prepared for the Open House have made them feel at home.
“We have been made to feel so welcome by everyone,” said Pastor Loyer.
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Twelve women between the ages of 18 and 40 will be housed at Cape Fear Teen Challenge and there will be a staff member on the premises at all times. There will be Chapel services conducted three days per week and there is a classroom space as well as bedrooms. The home also features a common area, a kitchen and dining area. A screened in porch on the rear of the house provides a refuge for reflection and prayer. There is also office space provided for the staff.
Pastor Loyer said the ladies will be involved in various community activities during their stay at Cape Fear Teen Challenge.
“We ask them to speak (to groups, to new students and churches),” said Pastor Loyer.
The Teen Challenge program is a long-term, faith-based residential program for women. A typical stay with Teen Challenge is 12 to 15 months, said Pastor Loyer. While the women are students with Teen Challenge, they will learn such things as why they abuse substances or why they have certain toxic behavior patterns. The program also teaches them such skills as how to manage temptation, how to control their anger, how to study the Bible, and Christian practices.
Pastor Loyer said once a woman graduates from Teen Challenge her journey does not end there. She said Teen Challenge has an after care program which maintains contact with the graduate and this helps to reinforce accountability.
Barbara Cogdell, who was touring the facility, said, “I think it is really great.”
Vickie Smith, Director of the Bladen County Department of Social Services, said, “I’m glad Bladen County is able to have this here.”
Pastor Loyer said Cape Fear Teen Challenge already has 4 potential students and that number is expected to grow when they begin accepting applications on Monday, June 25th.
Pastor Loyer said Teen Challenge is a national program that has been in operation for 60 years. The program has 250 facilities throughout the United States and the program has an 86 percent success rate. Pastor Loyer said there are facilities for women 18 and older, facilities for Teens, and Teen Challenge also offers treatment options for men as well. Pastor Loyer said there are two Teen Challenge facilities that will accept women who have children and a few Teen Challenge locations in the northern part of the United States which will accept entire families.
There are also plenty of needs remaining as Cape Fear Teen Challenge begins enrolling students. There is an immediate need for a 15 passenger van as well as a Snapper lawn mower, cleaning supplies, kitchen and bathroom needs such as toiletries, Dawn dish washing liquid, sponges, SOS Pads, paper towels, crock pots, new kitchen utensils, new kitchen towels, personal hygiene items, and toilet paper.
Cape Fear Teen Challenge is located at 1456 Lula Long Road in the Ammon community. They can be reached by calling 910-588-4115.
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