Jordan’s story

If you had told me four years ago that I would be in the position I have found myself in today, I would have called you a liar. I came into Teen Challenge SA a broken mess. I had no semblance of a goal; I was passionless and suicidal.

I’ve gone from that terrible place to having success in a role I love as a youth worker, working with some of the most at-risk kids in our communities and loving every second. I have a loving partner and a healthy financial situation. I have begun the process of building my first home. I always saw all these things as a pipe dream, but it has become my reality.

None of this would have been possible without the grace of God and the effort I had put in as a member of the Teen Challenge SA program, as well as help from the leaders of the program and people who I am proud to call my friends: Darren, Will and Jesse.

I have been so fortunate. The skills I learned in the program through self-reflection, honesty and commitment have paid off immensely.

I’m not going to tell you everything has been a walk in the park. Of course, it hasn’t.

If you’re a student at Teen Challenge SA reading this newsletter, and you’re serious about improving your life, the first thing to come to terms with is that the work will never stop. Life will always be challenging, and as you take more and more responsibility for yourself and take others into your life who you are also responsible for, the more the challenges will present themselves.

But it is achievable, and I have made an effort to prove that to you. I am motivated by many things, but one of them is to be an example that, through Christ, hard work and care, a good life is possible, and a good life is all you can ask for. I’ve made mistakes since leaving Teen Challenge SA, but I have the skills to manage and rectify them. If I can do it (trust me, I’m less than the ideal candidate), so can you.

I’m so lucky to have all the blessings I have received, whether it’s my house on the way, my fulfilling job, or my restored relationships with family and God. I have so many people to thank – the volunteers who showed care and compassion in my early days, the support from the men I went through the program with, the passionate staff and all the others. Your time, effort and care pay off, and I am so grateful for it.

It can be done. Amen.