How It All Started
Adult and Teen Challenge was started in the late 1950's by a man named David Wilkerson. After hearing about a murder that took place by a teenage gang in New York, something was stirred in Wilkerson's heart and he felt the Lord prompt him to go and help those boys. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a host of issues on the streets, one being rampant drug and alcohol addiction.
Shortly after that, he established the first Teen Challenge center. After much success, Teen Challenge expanded its programs and many adult centers were birthed. There are 200+ residential centers in the United States, and over 1,000+ ministry locations worldwide.
Adult and Teen Challenge has been named one of the most successful drug and alcohol recovery programs in the world.
David Wilkerson, Founder of Adult & Teen Challenge
The first ever women's facility was opened in 1967, in Garrison, New York.
Teen Challenge purchased its first building at 416 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn in December, 1960.