Tony

I lived a life of pain and misery up until I turned 29. Addicted to alcohol, crack, and meth, I’ve lived all over Canada, homeless most of the time. I always had a strong work ethic, so I would have a job most of the time, which gave me a steady income to use for my addiction. I think the longest I’ve ever had an apartment was six years. I got evicted because I passed out and left the stove on, which filled the whole place up with smoke. The firefighters had to break my door down and resuscitate me. My landlord told me what sealed the deal for her was that as soon as I regained consciousness, the first thing I did was crush a beer. This type of behavior is just one example of many of a life lived with regret, hopelessness, and despair. It wasn’t until I lost everything, my job, my apartment, my family, that something inside me that I couldn’t contain any longer just surfaced one day.

God cared enough that even in my hatred toward Him, He gently guided me towards the truth. He led me to the Adult & Teen Challenge Program in Winnipeg on August 29, 2012. A couple of months in this program, it dawned on me, a revelation that I will never forget. Even though I wanted nothing to do with God, He wanted everything to do with me. He knew that I didn’t know Him. He knew that I never read the Bible and had so much to say about who He was. Despite all that, God allowed me to realize who He is and who I am. What a sobering moment! God was not the problem; I was the problem.

I became enthralled with the truth. God taught me and continues to teach me so much about who I am and how He sees me. Once I accepted Jesus into my heart, things started to change for me. I finished the program a year later, in 2013. I stayed on and continued to serve in the ministry of Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada.

Here are some things that have happened since then: I obtained my driver’s license. I bought a car. I obtained my Canadian citizenship. I met a beautiful Christian woman. I got married to her. We bought our first house together. Two years later, God has blessed us with a beautiful little girl of our own.

I continue to serve at Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada to help others like me to have the same opportunity that God gave me. I believe that it doesn’t’ matter who you are or what you’ve done. God will always give you an opportunity to turn to Him.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” – Helen Howarth Lemmel

I felt like a prisoner to addiction, walking to death row. I had tried to break free many times. It started as a way to cope but became what consumed me. I lost my daughter, my family, and my health. Here, I found hope, love, life, and family. I completed the program and went on to join the SURGE leadership program. Everything I have ever been through, I now get to use for good, walking alongside others on their healing journey.

My life in addiction was chaotic. I didn’t have a sense of purpose or hope. I didn’t know what reality was anymore… I just made things up in my mind and I lived in fear. Today, I have joy, freedom and a community of support and I’m achieving goals!

On a dark path of substance use—marijuana, alcohol, and later, cocaine. My addiction escalated quickly, and I was stuck in a cycle of hopelessness and relapse. I tried to quit on my own. I’d manage to stay clean for a few months, but I’d always fall back into using. I felt trapped. At Adult & Teen Challenge, I discovered a God who loves me despite my failures, and I began to heal. Today, I’m proud to say I’m a full-time staff member at Adult & Teen Challenge, helping others who are walking the same path I once did.
“There’s hope, and it’s within reach for anyone who feels like there’s no way out.”

I struggled with drinking and partying, not realizing I needed help. My biggest challenge was being honest with my loved ones. Ready Now Recovery gave me the space to speak openly, first with the group and then with my friends and family. It showed me that I’m not alone—others are facing the same struggles.

I started smoking marijuana and doing cocaine, I quit working to grow and sell drugs. Soon after I joined a gang and survived a gang attack where my arms and legs were broken and I was stabbed multiple times. I realized many of my friends were either dead or in jail and I started thinking about my life. Since coming to Adult & Teen Challenge. My life changed so much, I’ve found Freedom thanks to God and I’m excited to help others!

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83 Kate St. Winnipeg MB R3A 1J9
888-822-9992

Our mission is to offer a full range of addiction, treatment and recovery services with compassion and excellence.

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At Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada, we respectfully acknowledge that our work takes place on the traditional territories of many Indigenous peoples. In Saskatchewan, we operate on Treaty 4, Treaty 5, and Treaty 6 lands, which are the traditional territories of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Métis peoples. In Manitoba, our services span across Treaty 1, Treaty 2, Treaty 3, Treaty 4, and Treaty 5 territories, home to the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and Métis peoples. In Ontario, we work on the lands covered by Treaty 3 and Treaty 5, traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Métis peoples.

We honor the enduring connection of these Nations to the land and commit to walking in partnership, respect, and reconciliation. Through our programs, we aim to foster healing, growth, and transformation, while acknowledging the rich history, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across these lands.

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