FROM HOPELESS ADDICTION TO SERVING SOCIETY

Women’s Adult and Teen Challenge of Brainerd

BY KATHLEEN KRUEGER

Intensive outpatient with lodging. That’s the description given for the new substance abuse program for women in Brainerd.

The program is a part of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, which has provided residential and outpatient programs for men in Brainerd since 2008. Until January of this year, women seeking to enter this faith-based treatment program in Minnesota only had options in the Twin Cities or Rochester. Having an option available in north central Minnesota, close to home, can make the decision to enter treatment easier, especially for women with children.

Abigail Peltier, a Teen Challenge graduate, was hired to serve as director and develop the new women’s program. The program is unique to Brainerd, the first of its kind within the Adult & Teen Challenge organization, which operates more than 1,000 centers around the globe.

At 17, Abigail faced three drug felony charges and chose long-term treatment at Teen Challenge over a jail sentence. It totally transformed the projection of her life. Instead of wanting drugs, she wanted God. Instead of wasting her life away, she gained a passion for making a positive impact on society and received a master’s degree in social work.

WOMEN’S INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITH LODGING

Teen Challenge residential programs for women in other locations can be 30- or 90-day short-term programs or a 13-month long-term program. The Brainerd program is a 90-day minimum stay that can be extended if deemed necessary. It includes 28 hours a week of faith-based substance abuse programming plus secure lodging in a 24-bed facility located next door.

In addition to uncovering the whys behind addiction and receiving guidance and support in the recovery process, the program also offers classes on parenting and other life skills to help participants successfully transition into a sober lifestyle. The strong spiritual element is what sets Teen Challenge apart from most other treatment programs. From Abigail and other Teen Challenge graduates there are two things that they agree made the difference, where other programs failed. One was the deep impact of a long-term program and the other was Jesus.

Meet The Staff

Throughout the Teen Challenge organization, you will find that a high percentage of the staff are graduates of the 13-month Teen Challenge program. Many of them also attended a year-long leadership training offered by Teen Challenge following their graduation. Two of the staff we talked to fit that description.

Brandyce Mrozek is one of the recovery coaches at the Brainerd campus. Brandyce started using pills and meth in her 20s, while a mother of three. By the time she reached 30 she had moved on to heroin. She went through an outpatient treatment program and spent time in jail. During her last jail sentence, she decided it was time to make a radical change in her life and enrolled in Teen Challenge.

“You need more than 30 or 60 days to make this kind of change,” she told us. “Drug use is just a symptom of what’s going on inside a person.”

Candy Kylochko serves as the social services coordinator for both the men’s and women’s programs of Brainerd Teen Challenge. She grew up in the Brainerd lakes area and knows firsthand how rampant drug and alcohol abuse is among local teens and adults.

An IV drug user by the age of 16, Candy was first arrested at age 18. She was incarcerated in the Crow Wing County jail over two dozen times and sent to prison twice. It was while attending Bible studies when she was incarcerated that Candy was introduced to a loving God and given hope for something better for her future. Enrolling in the Teen Challenge long-term program was the first step toward a new life.

Candy said, “I am married to a wonderful man; I have good credit, a great job, and own a home,” things she thought would never happen. In addition, she had relationships restored with her children and other family members. Two of her siblings followed her path and enrolled in Teen Challenge as a result of seeing the change in their sister.

Community Support

“The Brainerd community has been very supportive,” says Director Abigail Peltier.

Much of the furniture and décor items for the women’s building were donated by community members, who also serve as volunteers. The organization couldn’t fully operate without these volunteers.

Some volunteers drive residents to appointments. Others teach life skills, lead Bible studies or serve as personal encouragers to one of the residents. There are many ways people can serve on a regular or occasional basis. For more information on volunteer opportunities and the application process, contact Ann Munson, volunteer coordinator, at 218-297-8666.

Current financial needs include funding for several outdoor projects including creating additional parking spaces, a storage building for maintenance equipment and construction of a playground for the children who visit their parents in the treatment program.

For more information about the Central Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge program for women, visit www.mntc. org/brainerdwomens or call 218-8338763 to inquire about admissions to the Brainerd programs.

Kathleen Krueger has been a full-time freelance writer since 2011. Her book, “Hey Freelancer Go Clone Yourself” shares advice based on the experiences of her successful freelance career and that of her co-author. Learn more about Kathleen on her website: KathleenKrueger.com.

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