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Adult & Teen Challenge: Women's Program

(612) FREEDOMM | MNTC.ORG

For over 35 years Mn Adult & Teen Challenge (MnTC) has been restoring hope to people struggling with drug, alcohol, and other life-controlling problems by addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

We offer a judgement free, safe environment where we'll take a time to get to know and meet each woman where she's at. We'll also create a plan to provide tools and support for her to live a lifetime of recovery and well-being.

We want to help you and are committed to making a positive long-term impact on your life. We know you have a story, and no matter where you are right now, there is a hope for healing, recovery, and for long-term health and happiness.

You are more than your addiction.

5 Stages of Change
Our Locations
  1. Precontemplation: Use does not interfere with everyday life
  2. Contemplation: Aware a problem exists, does not seek help
  3. Preparation: Seeks outpatient treatment
  4. Action: Actively seeks out care
  5. Maintenance: Sustained change (aftercare services, TCLI)

Minneapolis

  • Licensed Treatment
  • Residential Recovery Program (12 months)
  • Continuing Care (TCLI/Transitional Housing)
  • Aftercare Services

Rochester

  • Licensed Treatment
  • Residential Recovery Program (12 months)
  • Aftercare Services

Brainerd

  • Intensive Outpatient with Lodging (up to 90day)
  • Aftercare Services

*Licensed Treatment provides 30 hours of Clinical Services per week.

 

Our Services

We provide a full continuum of care for women ranging from outpatient services to residential treatment, transition planning, and aftercare.

Licensed Treatment

  • Evidence-based therapeutic models serving men 18+
  • Opioid specific programming
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services
  • MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder)
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Faith-based track available upon request

TCLI

  • 1 year
  • A continuing education option for individuals who have completed a recovery program 
  • Career & Life Courses: Clients are provided opportunities to learn employment and life skills that support finding employment after graduation.
  • MnTC has exclusive relationships with employers, that hire our graduates
  • Peer Recovery Service training provided

Residential  Recovery Program

(Minneapolis & Rochester Locations)

  • 12 months
  • Group classes & counseling
    • Mental Health
    • Chemical Dependency
    • Opiate Support
    • Meth Support
    • Fitness & Well-being
    • Healing from Sexual Exploitation & Truama
    • Parenting Groups
    • Nicotine Support
  • Faith-based programming
    • We provide the space for you to discover God at your own pace on your own terms
    • Choir and worship are integrated into weekly activites
    • Chaplains are a part of your care team
  • Personal study topics

Residential  Recovery Program

(Brainerd Location)

  • Licensed treatment
  • 24 beds
  •  Faith based programming
  • Up to 90 days
  • Therapists are trained in treating both substance use disorder and mental health diagnosis
  • Incorporating a variety of evidence-based practices that include CBT, DBT, 12-Step which provides a foundation for lasting recovery
  • Skills training, recovery meetings in the community volunteer opportunities in the community

Aftercare services

  • 1 year
  • Transitional Services: In the last segments of programming, clients are provided counsel on resume preparation, housing options and local support groups.
  • Alumni Support: Our goal is to stay connected. We invite alumni to participate in special events and meetings, and to stay connected through our online community.
  • Recovery Navigation: Peer Support Specialists can offer support to anyone at no charge.

Person-Centered Care

We are staffed with Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Mental Health Practitioners, Medically

Licensed Nurses, and Peer Recovery Support Specialists

Someone is available for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

A staff to client ratio that allows each man a level of individual attention

Who We Are

Your mental health is very important to us and to your recovery. Not all clients that come through our programs require mental health services, but many choose to receive mental support because of the positive impact it has on their overall recovery and well-being.

Our approach is personal and holistic - we recognize you as an individual and work with you to assess your needs to reach a place where you are thriving mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

When you come to use, we will work with you to define a plan that supports your long-term sobriety and overall health and wellness. To support these efforts, we offer a wide range of clinical services including:

Outpatient Treatment
(We call it overcomers)

Intensive Outpatient treatment tailored toward substance abuse

Individual Therapy

Work through challenges from your life and improve feelings, behaviors, and belief systems

Group Therapy

Currently we are offering the following groups; Parenting, Skills, Relationships

Family Therapy

Reduce distress and improve the health of your family system

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Identify and change negative thinking patterns and support positive behavioral changes

Electives

Nicotine, opiate, and meth support, responsible living, understanding anger, grief/loss, co-dependency, eating disorders, driving with care, 12-Step Discovery AA, medication management, equine therapy outings, music, transition and aftercare prep, career transition workshop. and legal clinics. Electives are added on a regular basis.

Our Philosophy

The residential recovery program is divided into four levels and typically takes 12 months to complete. If you have completed licensed treatment, credit for that time and effort will be applied. Each level is designed to build on the foundation of the previous level. Clients work to overcome self-destructive patterns associated with their substance use while receiving co-occurring mental health support and counseling based on need.

 

Each person that comes to MnTC is unique, so our approach starts with assessing each person's needs individually and then creating a plan to provide the best care possible throughout our 4-level program. We identify key topics impacting each client such as core beliefs and values, behaviors, individual life-controlling issues, mental health needs, and substance use disorder. Then, each client works with a personal care team of licensed alcohol and drug counselors, mental health professionals, recovery coaches, and chaplains based on her needs and preferences. Physical health improves through nutrition, stress reduction, sleep, and fitness; spiritual and emotional health is supported through group and individual counseling, community living, character development, spiritual opportunities, and volunteer opportunities.

Residential Recovery Program

At MnTC we see the potential in every woman and recognize substance use, destructive behaviors, and negative attitudes as symptoms of underlying and unresolved needs or issues. In our 4-level residential recovery program we meet each person where she's at, and we encourage her to take ownership of her life by demonstrating positive spiritual, mental, and emotional growth. We work with her through the different levels, each with its own therapeutic focus, life skills development, connection to faith-based activities, characters development, and creating a community of positive support and reinforcement.

Level 1: Connecting

In the first stage, we know that you will be adjusting to your new environment and routine and will begin to recognize this can truly be a place for help and healing. Our goal is to share the truth of God's plan and unconditional love for you

 

RISK OF RETURN TO USE: VERY HIGH

Level 2: Breaking Through

With support from your care team, you can start to address patterns in your life and recognize the role that they played in decision making. Here, you begin to explore your underlying beliefs and feelings that led to painful behaviors, and start opening up and becoming more real with yourself and others.

 

RISK OF RETURN TO USE: HIGH

Level 3: Practicing a New Way to Live

During this time, you'll start to develop new attitudes and relational support; you'll establish healthy behaviors and boundaries to replace old ones. You can move forward from a sense of being trapped by past choices to actively seeking reconciliation in relationships. The focus here is on applying what you've learned, and to become consistent in your new way of life.

 

RISK OF RETURN TO USE: HIGH

Level 4: A Solid Foundation for the Future

In this final stage, you'll prepare to transition into your future by creating personal goals (i.e. family, school, career, etc.), discussing expectations, identifying potential triggers, and having strategies in place to resolve them constructively. This level is extremely important as the focus is taking your success at MnTC back home and into your community. 

 

RISK OF RETURN TO USE: MODERATE

Additional offerings:

  • Parenting Classes
  • Welcome Manor: Women & Children services

Parenting Classes

Parenting classes are offered to all clients as an elective. For mothers with active Child Protection Cases, we offer additional services.

Supportive & Structured Environment 

 

Our goal is to provide a supportive and structured environment for healing, self-discovery, and where moms can develop parenting and other life skills in support of developing a foundation for ongoing success.

  • Person-centered approach - each mom has an individualized care plan specific to her distinctive circumstances and needs.
  • Integrated care team includes a dedicated family manager, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, mental health practitioners, recovery coaches, peer recovery support specialists, chaplains, and legal liason.
  • Length of stay and visitation for each mom aligned with the parenting class plan.

Parent-Child Workshops

 

While in our parenting class, moms participate in 20 hours of skills training workshops each week and have additional time to reflect on and practice new skills.

  • Parent-Child workshops are based on Attachment Theory, which stresses the importance of bonding, attunement, and attachment as the bases of creating safe, secure, and reliable parent-child relationships.
  • Workshops cover a range of topics related to Addiction, Self-Awareness, Life Skills, Motherhood, Active Parenting, Monitoring Progress, and Creating a Community of support.
  • Workshops are offered in a rotatitin curriculum format, so all clients are able to participate right away, regardless of their prior parenting experience, skills, or training.

Personal Study Topics

We are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to help each client make meaningful lasting change - the kind of change that can truly turn lives around. We know each person is unique, with her own life experiences, challenges, and opportunities. That's why we offer a range of personal study topics from which you may choose to focus on during your recovery program. You will choose your own personal study topics, with guidance from your care team. Each personal study topic includes:

Books

Reading 1-2 books, then summarizing what you are learning

Articles

Reading several articles, then answering questions about the articles

Projects

Completing projects or worksheets exploring how it relates to your life

Scripture

Memorizing verses that may offer comfort and support*

*There's no need to stress if memorization is not your thing; your care team will work with you and adjust according to your needs.

Topics Include:

  • Anger
  • Authority
  • Body Image
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Depression
  • Divorce and Remarriage
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Failure
  • Fear and Anxiety
  • Forgiveness
  • Foundations
  • Grieving and Loss
  • Humility
  • Integrity
  • Lifelong Recovery
  • Living in Grace
  • Marriage
  • Relational Health
  • Relationship with Jesus Christ
  • Restoration
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexual Integrity
  • Shame & Rejection
  • Spiritual Abuse Veterans

Program Support

Choir Participation

While in the residential recovery program you will be a member of MnTC choir and will travel with the choir to different churches on Sunday mornings. Active choir participation for several reasons:

 

It's an important way to praise and worship as a community.

 

The choir provides ministry outreach to church partners and hurting individuals - every single time the choir sings and our stories are shared, other hurting individuals come forward to seek help.

 

Love offerings to support clients - The majority of clients in the 4-level program are unable to pay for services due to current circumstances related to their addiction; churches often provide a love offering, to help support those in the program. 100% of funds raised go directly into helping others access program services.

Spiritual Growth

You will be encouraged to explore your relationship with God and to consider Biblical truth for your life. This will never be forced upon you but purpose, perspective and joy. Regular church services are a part of this as well as participation in bible study groups and other support and recovery groups.

Having a Mentor

MnTC's Mentor Program is designed to foster your spiritual growth and continued sobriety. The program is voluntary, and is open to all clients in the long-term program.

 

Ongoing Relationship With Mentor

57% of graduates with a sponsor or mentor at follow-up, reported they had the same mentor or sponsor as during their time in the MnTC program.* 

 

If you participate, you will be paired with a mature Christian woman from the local community who wants to come alongside you on your journey as a source of encouragement and support. Your mentor can make a big impact on your program and afterwards.

 

Mentors and mentees spend time together one-on-one twice a month over the course of a year (typically weekdays after 4pm and any time on Saturdays). Some popular activites include going on walks, getting coffee, and doing Bible studies together. If you are interested in receiving a mentor, sign up to attend a mentee orientation.

Lives Changed

Angela's Story

Using made me slip away from my family and my career. I started getting in trouble with the law, ended up in jail, then was homeless living in my car and a storage locker. I finally came to MnTC and I realized there's so much more to me than I ever knew. It helped me let go of what I thought my life was going to be and embrace where it is today. I put everything I had into the program, and I've never looked back.

Panhia's Story

I was physically unable to get up or focus before I used. I would sit in my room and smoke all day and not care about anything else in the world. I was wasting my life away.

 

Now when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is thank God. I have the energy to get out of bed. I do devotionals and eat breakfast with my sisters in the program. I focus on how I can serve them and the Lord every day, instead of myself. It's a miracle that I am who I am today.

Megan's Story

I'm a graduate of Mn Adult & Teen Challenge women's program. I grew up in a small town and I started using heroin at the age of 15 or 16. When I was older, I was in an abusive relationship, using IV meth and heroin and my life was completely messed up and unstable. After I started the licensed treatment program, I was kind of debating long-term but I was afraid of a big commitment. But when I was the women in long-term they were stable and really seemed to know exactly who they were. After about a month, I started to notice physical changes, I was becoming healthy and strong.

Community Living

Our goal is to create a living environment that is safe, supportive, therapeutic and peaceful. We offer communal space for the women to eat, gather, and enjoy.

Tobacco

We are completely tobacco-free organization. We know that's difficult for some people, but we want what's best for you - and that means fostering good physical, emotional, and mental well-being in all that we do. In addition to on-site smoking restrictions, we ask all staff, volunteers, and visitors come in free of Tobacco smells that may trigger cravings or memories of past substance use.

Recreation

In addition to our recreational activities, the Women's Impact Foundation is a volunteer-led committee that works directly with our women clients to offer a variety of classes and services, including:

  • Stretch and Pray
  • Arts and Crafts (painting, jewelry, stamping, etc.)
  • Skills (baking, sewing, knitting, gardening)
  • Exercise
  • Spa Services (nails, makeup, skincare, hair, etc.)
  • Personal Encouragement/Mentoring

Services vary by location*

Here's What A Typical Week Might Look Like In The Recovery Program.

Schedule shown represents Minneapolis center. Timing and programming may vary at other centers.

Sunday Monday-Friday Saturday

6-8 AM

Begin to start the day

Personal Devotional Time

Breakfast

Personal Chores

Church/Choir Trips

Leave time varies based on church schedule. Lunch time also varies.

 

3-5 PM

Free Time

8 AM

Chapel

 

12PM

Lunch

 

12-4 PM

Study Time

Level Classes

Kid/Business Calls

Counseling

Appointments

CD Groups

 

3:30-4:30 PM

(Fridays)

Community Meetings

 

4 PM
Personal & Group House Chores

9 AM

Phone Time

 

10 AM

Brunch

 

11 AM - 2 PM

Visitation Time

Free Time

 

2:30 PM

Snacks

 

3:30 PM

Phone Time

5 PM

Dinner

 

5:30 - 9:50 PM

In Room Time

 

10:30 PM

Lights Out

Note: For clients enrolled in the Parenting Classes Program track child visitation will be per their Parenting Classes Program plan.

Family & Friends

Communication

Phone calls, mail and visitation can be a huge source of encouragement and motivation for you while you're in the 4th-level program. It can also provide a means of connection and promote restoration of family relationships.

Phone Access*

All clients in our recovery program enjoy 4, 25-minute phone calls weekly. In addition, you will have access to the phones for mentor calls, and virtual visits.

Visitation*

Visiting time with your support network can be a tremendous source of encouragement and motivation for you. Visitation is limited to individuals on your correspondence list. Visitation dates and times vary by location.

We will with work you to customize communication on a case-by-case basis for your particular situation.

Passes

The purpose of passes is to allow families time to connect, and also allow you to gauge your progress outside of direct MnTC care. You will be encouraged to uphold the standards and policies of MnTC during your passes.

 

You'll have access to different types of passes while you are in the program. Such as level completion passes, a family pass, and two holiday break passes. In the event of an emergency you may request an emergency pass.


Complete Level 1: 10 hr pass (11 AM - 9 PM Sat.)

Complete Level 2: 36 hr pass (8 AM Fri - 8 PM Sat.)

Complete Level 3: 48 hr pass (6 PM Thurs. - 6 PM Sat.)

During Level 4: 8-hour liberty passes every Saturday

 

Holiday Breaks

These are two scheduled holiday breaks in the program: Summer break and Christmas break. All programming ceases for the duration of the breaks and, if eligible, you will be able to go home during those times.

Moms

Taking care of yourself while taking care of your kids can feel overwhelming. We work with you to advocate for your recovery and connection with your kids. Your program manager will work with you to set up passes to spend time with children on a case-by-case basis.