PACIFIC NORTHWEST ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE

Combating Addiction in Central Oregon

Oregon has a growing substance abuse problem with an estimated 303,000 Oregonians remaining untreated according to national data.  The non-profit, Pacific Northwest Adult & Teen Challenge, has been successfully helping men, women, and children since 1983 overcome addiction throughout their 12 locations in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

The Central Oregon Teen Challenge, located in Bend, offers a 12-month, faith-based live-in program for men suffering from life-controlling problems. The program integrates faith education, personal counseling, character quality classes, personalized lessons, and work experience. Currently, the Bend program, with the capacity to house up to 20 men, includes two existing residential facilities that have been renovated to minimally meet the organization’s needs with living quarters, offices, and conference room.

The Bend facility is now at an exciting turning point! Pinnacle worked with Teen Challenge on a pro-bono basis to plan to transform their site into an integrated campus to better support their purpose and add capacity. The master plan includes a multipurpose building and gateway to the campus to house the kitchen, offices, and flex room that can be used as a chapel, group dining room, or large meeting space. The current facilities would be modernized into exclusively residential units expanding the program’s capacity. Planning includes walkways to connect the buildings, green spaces to facilitate healing, and thoughtful design to ensure security.

“Since being in the program I can look in the mirror and like the person I see.” – Jeremy, Central Oregon Teen Challenge graduate.

Research from across the nation shows that drug and alcohol treatment reduces crime and medical expenses while boosting employment. Meaning every dollar spent on treatment actually saves an average of $7. Organizations like Pacific Northwest Adult & Teen Challenge are enhancing individual lives every day while supporting a prosperous community. They are continuing to raise money to make their integrated campus a reality.

If you’re interested in learning more about the program or helping with this project visit: http://www.teenchallengepnw.com/