Staff Spotlight: Wilena Scott
A Trusted Voice Around the halls of Ohio Valley Teen Challenge, she’s respectfully known as “Miss Wilena.” Our staff and clients adore her and, if you’ve ever met her, you quickly know why! She leads with her heart in all she does. Miss Wilena wears many hats – pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, mentor and…
A Complete Turnaround: Devin’s Story
Walking In Faith Before coming to Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley and establishing a relationship with God, Devin attempted suicide, struggled to get along with the mother of his children and used drugs. Now an intern at the center, Devin’s life has done a 180-degree turn around and he’s hoping to become an ATCOV…
A New Path: Corey’s Story
Helping Others Find Hope Corey entered Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley when his life of addiction became unmanageable. “I was only liked because I partied and I supplied and I had a place to party at,” said Corey, 38. “I was just sick of that crazy lifestyle.” He started drinking when he was 15.…
At Peace: Sara’s Story
Building a Relationship with The Almighty Before coming to Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley, Sara had no interest in fostering a relationship with God. She even considered returning to prison instead of enrolling in ATCOV. But she came, developed a relationship with God and graduated in September 2024 from ATCOV’s year-long program. Drug trafficking…
Staff Spotlight: Candace Bryant
Candace Bryant is an addiction therapist at HOPE Counseling & Addiction Services. HOPE works hand-in-hand alongside Adult & Teen Challenge, under one roof, to provide counseling services to our residents. “I teach groups from 9 am to 12 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to help patients with coping skills, relapse awareness triggers – those types of…
Unburdened: Nate’s Story
Letting God Take Control Nate returned in March to Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley for the second time. “I was in prison for four years,” he said. “I had turned my back on God. And I knew that I needed to come back so he could continue the work that He started with me.”…
Renewal Through Jesus Christ: Colton’s Story
Colton recently finished the restoration program at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley and says his relationship with God sustains everything else in his life. Colton, 30, a native of Freemont, Ohio, graduated in 2015 and stayed sober for four years, but he fell back into his old lifestyle using and selling drugs. He realized…
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Staff Spotlight: Kurtis Byrd
God brought me back Kurtis Byrd is an intern at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley for the second time. This time, he’s sticking to the path God made for him. A Steubenville native, Kurtis originally came into Adult & Teen Challenge in 2016, graduated in 2017 and left in 2018. He made a series…
Renewal Through Jesus Christ: Ian’s Story
Ian, 20, battled alcohol and drug addiction for years, dating back to middle school. His life is renewed now and he’ll graduate in May 2024 from the year-long program at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley. His future is much brighter. “I plan on moving back with my parents and then toward the fall, I…
Finding Peace Through God: Joseph’s Story
Joseph arrived at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley a year ago as a broken man, facing 22 months in prison. He will graduate in April 2024, looking forward to his future. But coming to ATCOV wasn’t his idea. “I didn’t really have any other choice, it was this or go to prison,” Joseph, 36,…
Graduating to a Better Life: Dennis’ Story
Dennis, 48, from Levittown, PA, will graduate in April 2024 from Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley’s year-long program. Every area of his life has improved since he arrived. He was referred by a chaplain at the prison. “Right after prison, I came to Teen Challenge to finish out the year program here,” Dennis said.…
Staff Spotlight: Amy Senne
Making A Difference Amy Senne started at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley in 2019 as a case manager clinician and she loves the work. “I love what we do here,” she said. “We really make a difference in the lives of men and women who are working to change their lives.” A 2022 graduate…
Staff Spotlight: Pastor Tom
Offering Spiritual Guidance The newest staff member at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley enjoys helping clients navigate their spiritual paths. Pastor Tom Kurz started as Christian education director at ATCOV about two months ago after serving many years in the Assembly of God faith. “I had known about Adult & Teen Challenge since I…
From Chaos to Peace: Brandon’s Story
Brandon will graduate in January 2024 from the year-long program at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley and he plans to start a new life. His road to get where he is now wasn’t an easy one. “I was battling a 10-year addiction, it was like off and on,” the Youngstown native said. “I didn’t…
Blessed Understanding: Cy’s Story
Cy will graduate in December 2023 from the year-long program at Adult & Teen Challenge after years of battling addiction. He was born again over two years ago but kept relapsing and suffered from some mental health difficulties. “I just prayed about it and felt like the Holy Spirit led me to come to Teen…
Staff Spotlight: Felicia Briggs
Felicia Briggs started working as a clinical outreach coordinator at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley in May 2023. She’s friends with Alicia Santilli, ATCOV’s chief operating officer, and Alicia approached her to come work at ATCOV. Both women formerly worked at the now-closed Neil Kennedy Recovery Center. Felicia is enjoying the work. “What I…
Walking Together in Christ: Joey & Jill Voorhees
Joey Voorhees, a case manager at Hope Counseling and Addiction Services met his wife, Jill, when he graduated from Adult & Teen Challenge of Ohio Valley’s program and she gave him a new pair of dress shoes. That was eight years and more than 240 pairs of shoes ago. “I got to meet Jill that…
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Letting Go: Cody’s Story
Cody was in jail for five months searching for a short-term rehabilitation facility that would accept him. They all fell through. Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley though accepted Cody about a year ago. His addiction started when he was 12 and he used many substances throughout the years. Methamphetamine was the worst. “I wanted…
A New Beginning: Joshua’s Story
Joshua will graduate in October 2023 from Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley’s year-long program. He’s been accepted into a sober living and rehabilitation program where he’ll work with others who have had similar issues. He’ll also connect with his home church. But it was a long road. “I had been on a journey of…
Gaining Clarity: Herisdelvis’ Story
Herisdelvis got into trouble through alcohol and drug use and needed a solution. “I had to make a choice whether to go to rehab or to go back to New Jersey and continue my mess,” Herisdelvis, 30, said. “I didn’t want to go back. It was either I continue drinking, I continue smoking and I…
A New Life: Jason’s Story
Jason arrived at Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley after struggling with alcoholism for more than 20 years. He was “always drowning out my emotions and my feelings with alcohol,” he said. He’s been to prison more than once and in jail more than 30 times. The last time he was in jail, a woman…
A Divine Introduction: Brian’s Story
After about 25 years of drug use, Brian decided he needed help. “I didn’t pick Adult & Teen Challenge [Ohio Valley]. It kind of picked me,” he said. Brian was out walking one night and stopped at a Youngstown church. The pastor there was ATCOV CEO, the Pastor Bob Pavlich’s spiritual leader. After hearing Brian’s…
Relationships Restored: Kent’s Story
Kent, who is from Greenville, Ohio, was in the county jail, facing 15 years in prison for drug trafficking charges when he received a letter from Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley. “I don’t know how I got it. I have no clue,” he said. But he’s grateful he did. He’ll graduate in September 2023…
Ready for a New Beginning: Tommie’s Story
After graduating from the year-long program at Adult and Teen Challenge Ohio Valley in August 2023, Tommie will continue as an intern with the organization. He’ll work in the packing room. “I just want to set an example on how to just stay positive and keep on going,” Tommie said.His addiction dates back to when…
Learning What Real Freedom Is: Lisa’s Story
Lisa was living in a homeless shelter when she was caught using drugs. The operators of the facility offered to get her help and one of the women who worked there told her about Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley. “She said, and I’ll never forget this, she said, ‘It turned my life upside down,’”…
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