Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge is a local division of the worldwide Teen Challenge organization, founded in hopes of assisting individuals struggling with “life-controlling problems” by using Christian discipleship.
Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge opened a Clarksburg women’s residential training center in 2019. It’s open to women aged 18-50 who are struggling with a variety of issues affecting their lives, including but not limited to substance abuse.
The program is faith-based and seeks to provide a spiritual alternative to other medical or secular addiction treatment plans.
“We pull truths and principles from the Bible and we implement those in the program,” said Executive Director Aaron Plumley. “Every aspect of the program is ingrained with biblical principles and addresses all elements of addiction and recovery.”
Independence and responsibility are other key teachings of Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge. Residents help to maintain the center, cook and serve their own meals, as well as doing yard and development work. The residence is largely self-sustained, and this also provides participants with work and life skills to use long after they’ve left the program. This sense of community and self-fulfillment will continue to support participants in their future endeavors.
“Not only is this a good option, but it’s a lifelong option,” said Plumley. “It doesn’t just get people free from addiction, but it sets their entire life on a course of success.”
Volunteer Karen Ford assists Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge through community outreach and education and participation in fundraising events.
“We’re putting this out there in the community and making people aware that this is a phenomenal resource available to people that want to change,” said Ford. “I think it’s of the utmost importance that people are aware this is here.”
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources reported an increase in fatal drug overdoses in West Virginia in 2020 — from 878 in 2019 to 1,275. Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge aims to change these statistics and provide another option for those struggling with substance abuse.
“For West Virginia to turn things around on those statistics, we have to do it one life at a time,” said Ford.
For more information on Northern Appalachian Adult and Teen Challenge, or to volunteer or donate, visit WVTeenChallenge.com.
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