MnTC Newsletter | Fall 2015

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Friend,

I am excited to share the great things our ministry has been

blessed be a part of. We are serving more clients than ever before

and expanding across the state. This fall, we opened the doors of

Lakeside Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for teen boys in

Buffalo, we are looking to continue to build hope at our Brainerd

center, and our Rochester center has quickly partnered with the

needs of the surrounding counties. In addition to this growth in our

treatment services we continue to be on the front lines of prevention

with our United We Stand forums, reaching into the communities

impacted by the growing drug epidemic. We could not be doing

these things alone. With your faithful prayer and support we are

able to bring Christ’s healing love to the lost, broken and hurting.

Blessings,

Pastor Rich Scherber

J O R D A N ’ S S T O R Y- 3 -

A C R O S S T H E S TAT E

- 6 -

P A I N B E H I N D P R E S C R I P T I O N S

- 8 -

R E A C H I N G O U T- 1 0 -

Our Mission at Mn Adult & Teen Challenge is to assist people in gaining freedom from chemical addictions and other life-controlloing problems by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

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Living a life void of

stability, Jordan turned to

using drugs and alcohol.

- Jordan’s Story -

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Home is often at the foundation of a stable

childhood, but for 17-year-old Jordan* that

had never been the case.

Early in his life, Jordan and his siblings were

abandoned at a hotel. The children were later

adopted by the couple who found them. Jordan

grew close to his adoptive family and found

acceptance with his new mother and father.

Jordan’s life came to a crashing halt at

seven years old when his father, struggling with

depression, took his own life. The pain of staying

in their family home was too heavy for Jordan’s

mother. A move to Milwaukee gave them a new

start. There she met a man who became the

children’s stepfather. Her career as an ER doctor

didn’t allow her to see the verbal abuse her

children endured while she was away.

When Jordan was 13 years old, his mother had

a fatal heart attack. From this point on, Jordan

was sent from place to place, living with his

stepfather and other family members. Living a life

void of any stability, Jordan turned to using drugs

and alcohol.

His dependency on substances led Jordan

to the teen boys’ program at Mn Adult & Teen

Challenge. He spent two months in Minneapolis

A CORNERSTONE FOR HOPEJORDAN’S STORY

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until the opening of Lakeside Academy in early

September.

Jordan has appreciated the structure the program

offers and the unique environment. Jordan now has

a new outlook for the future, as he plans on going

to trade school and hopes to use the skills he has

been learning to become a carpenter.

Turn page to learn more about Lakeside Academy,

and what we are doing to provide teen boys with a

new start in life.

*Name and photos have been changed to protect the client.

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The moment you arrive at Lakeside Academy, there

is a strong sense of peace and potential for changed

lives. Tree-lined paths and the quiet lakefront serve

as the perfect backdrop for a new beginning. At its

foundation is faith-based programming that supports

boys to connect with Christ.

Onsite a 60-bed residence hall, enhanced

classroom and state-of-the-art gym all contribute to

the care provided. The 48 acres of Lakeside Academy

along with the generous donations towards these

upgraded facilities have developed the way the

program operates. Since the fall of 2015, this

therapeutic environment has encouraged boys to

focus on academics as well as vocational skills —

wood-working, landscaping, working with animals,

and that’s just the beginning.

Lakeside helps at-risk teens who are struggling

with behavioral or troubling issues as well as boys

who have drug and alcohol abuse and addictions. For

more information, go to boysteenchallenge.com.

ACROSS THE STATE

LAKESIDE ACADEMY: A PLACE FOR CHANGE

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At our Brainerd campus we are initiating major

changes in order to meet a growing need in the

community. The capital campaign is aiming to build

hope and respond to the need for expanded treatment

programs.

“Our mission is to become a full-service provider,”

said Center Director Sam Anderson. A variety of

programs ensures we are able to serve a variety of

needs

Currently there are only seven short-term program

beds within a 40-mile radius of our Brainerd center.

Once completed, the renovations will almost triple the

amount of spots available in the Brainerd community.

The addition of a licensed short-term program

will increase our ability to meet all of the needs of

the community, allowing individuals, who are unable

to commit to long-term treament, to recieve help.

Also included in the project will be new classrooms,

office space, transitional housing and other structural

upgrades. With the project underway, our goal is to

make the full transition by early 2016.

BUILDING HOPE IN BRAINERD, MN

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P R E S C R I P T I O N P I L L S

The United States makes up 5% of the world’s population, but consumes

of the world’s prescription drugs.

-Know the Truth survey of 21,690 high school students, 2015

-MN Department of Health, 2014

-UNODC World Drug Report, 2011

of Mn high school students who have used drugs, have used prescription pills.

32%

75%

DRUG OVERDOSES IN MN HAVE EXCEEDED MOTOR VEHICLE DEATHS.Motor

VehicleDeaths

374507Heroin

Pres. Pills

Other Drugs

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Prescription drug abuse is the

fastest growing drug problem in the

nation, especially among teens and

young adults. Minnesota is not immune

from the grips of this growing problem.

According to recent studies, 70 percent

of prescription drugs being abused were

originally recieved from the user’s family

or friends. When the user no longer has

access, many individuals switch to using

methamphetamine and heroin, cheaper

options with similar results to prescriptions

like oxycontin and adderall.

To combat this statewide issue, the

prevention program of MnTC is working

to inform the community about the reality

of addiction. United We Stand, is a free

event built on the belief that awareness is

the cornerstone of prevention.

At these events, various community

leaders, law enforcement, and health

professionals inform the audience on drug

trends, causes of addiction and means

of intervention. Young adults share their

personal stories of substance abuse and

their progression into addiction.

“We want everyone to leave this

event knowing what they can do to take

action,” said Adam Pederson, Director of

Strategic Partnerships.

For more information, go to mntc.org/events

PAIN BEHIND PRESCRIPTIONSDRUG TREND

“Communities must unite and raise awareness to prevent addiction before it starts and address it where it already is.” -Adam Pederson

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CLIENTS SERVED ANNUALLY*Projected

1447

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

17101852

2092

2570

2954*MnTC has seen significant growth. In fact, over the past

five years, the number of clients served has nearly doubled, and

the variety of treatment services has continued to expand. One

example of this can be found at our Rochester center. Open since

January 2014, the 100-bed facility has quickly filled and consistently

operated at high capacity. These numbers highlight the ever-

growing needs of our Minnesota communities.

“We have made incredible bridges with the law enforcement,

judicial and elected officials, not to mention social services and the

faith community,” said Tom Truszinski, Rochester center director.

At our foundation, it is the generous financial support that

allows us to meet the needs of addiction, and by partnering with

other leaders and community members, we can continue to reach

out and support those seeking help.

TOGETHER WE ARE REACHING OUTDONOR SUPPORT

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8th Annual Christmas Concert

December 11th & 12th7 p.m. at Grace Church of Eden Prairie

For more information:www.mntc.org/christmas-concert

featuring Nichole Nordeman

Join us at this Christmas event for the

entire family. Hear 350 clients share

stories and songs of hope. Our choir

will be joined by guest soloist Nichole

Nordeman!

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J O R D A N ’ S S T O RY p . 3

A C RO S S T H E S TAT E p . 6

PA I N B E H I N D P R E S C R I P T I O N S p . 8

IN THIS ISSUE

Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge1619 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404