I grew up in a dysfunctional family, the oldest of 4 children.  Both my mother and father were alcoholics and never spoke about the Lord.  Despite this, the Lord had his eye on me.  I met the the Lord at the age of seven and walked with Him until my forty’s. A painful experience in my life caused me to walk away from the Lord.  I lost everything so I turned to drugs to fill the emptiness in my heart for 18 years.  God had mercy on me and I found Brooklyn Teen Challenge.  Healing has taken place since coming into this program and God has transformed into the man He created; for His purpose.  I am learning life Biblical principles and applying them in my life in order to become mentally and emotionally strong in Jesus Christ.

My name is Daniel C. and I'm 29 years old. I grew up in a dysfunctional house like many. Being outdoors was no comfort either as I was physically and verbally abused by my peers, resulting in severe depression and anxiety. I never spoke a word of this to anyone. At age 19, my father was the only person I ever fought to protect my family. He was removed from the house and passed about a year later as an addict. In 2020, my mother passed to her lifelong battle with cancer and so my depression and anxiety turned into alcoholism and self-isolation for the next 5 years. It was common for me to drink a bottle of whiskey a day. Since coming to Brooklyn Adult and Teen Challenge, I have finally found comfort in the love of God. I've spent my life believing I was alone in deserving of it, but now I look forward to a life I've never imagined.

My name is David O. I had a pretty difficult and beautiful life. I went through a lot when I was a child that led to drinking and drug usage. Jesus played a major role in my life mainly because of my mother. During all my mess my mother displayed so many Christ-like characteristics that I couldn't deny He was real. Now I'm in Brooklyn Adult & Teen Challenge and I'm looking forward to seeing all that I learned from this experience. 

Louis R

My name is Luis Rivera. I used to drink and use hard drugs. One day I almost drowned in the Hudson River and through God's grace he saved me. After that I started to go to church and went to Brooklyn Adult & Teen Challenge.  I'm not sure what he saved me for but I'm in Gods will now and trusting his purpose for my life.

Hello, my name is Michael McIntyre. I am 34 years old, I was born and raised in Newport News, VA. I grew up with a rough family life with a very abusive father, which forced my mom out of the house. At the age of 12 years old after many years of abuse my father intentionally overdosed and killed himself. I turned to alcohol and other drugs to escape my reality and numb my pains. After many years of abuse on and off i finally found freedom with the help of teen challenge. I graduated in 2017 but fell from God. Thankfully his grace is never-ending and I had my life restored in Brooklyn ATC.

Hello, my name is Brian W. and I'm 60 years old. I'm from Brooklyn, NY. There was no addiction in my family. I was the first in my family to have those experiences and i was shunned because of it. I was arrested a total of 50 * 45 of those 50 times were all related to my addiction. In 2008 I came home from jail and in 2010 I was ordained as a minister. After 10 years of being clean, I returned to a life of active addiction. I tried a couple of 30-day programs only to fall and relapse. I finally came to Adult and Teen Challenge in 2025. where I now have an intimate relationship with God.

I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Rockland County, New York. I grew up in an environment marked by violence, where physical altercations were a constant presence in my home. This upbringing kindled a deep resentment toward those who were supposed to love me, and it shaped a distorted understanding of God—I knew little of His goodness and only feared His wrath. For much of my life, I lived apart from God, walking in darkness and rebellion, until I encountered His loving presence. Through that encounter, He set me free from many chains, though some struggles remain that I have yet to fully surrender to Him. This journey ultimately led me to Teen Challenge, where God is doing a profound work in my life. Through learning obedience and surrender, I am experiencing transformation and growth in ways I could not have imagined. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and for the work God continues to accomplish in me.

My name is Junior Martinez. I am Dominican. I have been in B.A.T.C. for some time, as well as in the U.S.A., in this country. I only had the presence of my dad, who raised me as both father and mother, although we were never in the same place. My real mother is in the Dominican Republic. My two younger sisters live here, and my 14-year-old son is in Santo Domingo, which is why I am here — for him. I sacrifice myself for my sisters, whom I love, and my only son, who I don’t want to see go through this.

Hello, my name is John Rodland. I grew up in New York. As a child I did not attend church as a family, but my parents dropped me off at Sunday school every week. As I grew older, I became involved I youth group and eventually met the person I would marry. Through that, we have two wonderful children, but we wound up getting divorced. I sank my life into work and started to drink excessively my children felt I needed a real change in my life and so that brought me to Adult and teen challenge.