The History of Minnesota Teen Challenge
In 1958 David Wilkerson went to New York City to work with youth involved in gangs. There he found many problems, from prostitution to hard-core drug addiction, as well as gang wars. In order to help these teens, Wilkerson founded the first Teen Challenge Center in New York City. Because of his highly effective approach, Teen Challenge received international recognition as one of the world's most successful drug and alcohol programs. Now there are over 150 centers across the United States and 350 centers world-wide, making Teen Challenge the largest drug and alcohol program in the world.
In 1983 Minnesota Teen Challenge was created, but remained a small center for the next decade. In 1993 Rich Scherber accepted the position of Executive Director and for the next few years MnTC grew as it acquired new residences throughout the Minneapolis area. In 1995 MnTC’s first program for teenagers began, soon to be followed by the creation of the Challenge Academy- a contracted Alternative School for residents of MnTC that allows them to receive their high school diploma or GED. In 2000, MnTC was approved by the MN Department of Human Services as a licensed chemical dependency center, able to provide a 60-day residential Extended Care Program. In the last few years, a Training Center was created along with an After Care department for graduates, a drug and alcohol prevention education program was created to reach students in local secondary schools, a facility was opened in Duluth and a facility in Brainerd is soon to be opened. MnTC has been growing by leaps and bounds, housing over 400 residents in 2007.
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