Redeemed of Her Past, Shannon’s Story

One of Shannon’s lowest points came when she overdosed on her dealer’s floor. He kicked her out and told her never to come back.
Her mom was never one to enable her addiction, so Shannon knew she was the right one to call when she hit rock bottom. She told her about Teen Challenge, but Shannon was wary of a place that would try to tell her about God or bring her to church. Eventually, after getting rejected by various hospitals and rehab centers, she decided to try Teen Challenge after all.
She got on a bus to Bakersfield Teen Challenge and never looked back, “I didn’t know what surrendering meant or who Jesus was to me, but I put my whole heart into the program. He changed my whole life.”
At Teen Challenge, Shannon discovered that she was loved deeply by God, redeemed of her past, and was filled with a freedom she had never experienced before.
She graduated Teen Challenge in 2019 and Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in 2020. Today she serves faithfully as student advisor and teacher at Los Angeles County Teen Challenge, helping other women find new life.
In place of the isolation of addiction, Shannon found purpose ministering to other women, “I get to witness the Lord changing their hearts … There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the light come on in someone’s eyes, someone who didn’t think they’d ever have a future. Seeing them lift their hands and worship the Lord is the greatest thing in the world. There’s no other place I’d rather be than witnessing the Lord’s miracles and watching those women get it.”
Looking back, Shannon knew using drugs had been an escape to shut everyone out and numb painful realities. But now she’s discovered her true sense of self and belonging, “I never felt like I fit in anywhere, which is one reason I turned to drugs … When I surrendered to the Lord, he gave me confidence in being his and finding out who I am in him.” She has formed deep, meaningful connections like never before — her relationship with her mom is restored (“We’re like best friends now”), and she has a husband who loves her unconditionally.
Shannon has found true freedom from the chains of addiction. “I could wake up without needing anything,” she marvels. “I have a family of believers, sisters in Christ, and friends who love me. There’s a place where I belong, where I can be myself.” The isolation, emptiness, and despair she once felt have been replaced by the restoration of hope, purpose, and genuine belonging. It’s a journey of healing that she is passionate about sharing.
You can join Shannon in witnessing these miracles, and help another person caught in addiction declare, “I want to live!” Your generous support could help change the trajectory of someone’s life. Consider making a one-time gift or recurring donation to Teen Challenge today so we can continue offering a pathway of hope and transformation for those trapped in the cycles of addiction and despair.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration in supporting the life-transforming work of Teen Challenge of Southern California.

 

One of Shannon’s lowest points came when she overdosed on her dealer’s floor. He kicked her out and told her never to come back.

Her mom was never one to enable her addiction, so Shannon knew she was the right one to call when she hit rock bottom. She told her about Teen Challenge, but Shannon was wary of a place that would try to tell her about God or bring her to church. Eventually, after getting rejected by various hospitals and rehab centers, she decided to try Teen Challenge after all.

She got on a bus to Bakersfield Teen Challenge and never looked back, “I didn't know what surrendering meant or who Jesus was to me, but I put my whole heart into the program. He changed my whole life.”

At Teen Challenge, Shannon discovered that she was loved deeply by God, redeemed of her past, and was filled with a freedom she had never experienced before.

She graduated Teen Challenge in 2019 and Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in 2020. Today she serves faithfully as student advisor and teacher at Los Angeles County Teen Challenge, helping other women find new life.

In place of the isolation of addiction, Shannon found purpose ministering to other women, “I get to witness the Lord changing their hearts … There's nothing more beautiful than seeing the light come on in someone's eyes, someone who didn't think they'd ever have a future. Seeing them lift their hands and worship the Lord is the greatest thing in the world. There's no other place I'd rather be than witnessing the Lord's miracles and watching those women get it.”

Looking back, Shannon knew using drugs had been an escape to shut everyone out and numb painful realities. But now she’s discovered her true sense of self and belonging, "I never felt like I fit in anywhere, which is one reason I turned to drugs … When I surrendered to the Lord, he gave me confidence in being his and finding out who I am in him.” She has formed deep, meaningful connections like never before — her relationship with her mom is restored ("We're like best friends now"), and she has a husband who loves her unconditionally.

Shannon has found true freedom from the chains of addiction. "I could wake up without needing anything," she marvels. "I have a family of believers, sisters in Christ, and friends who love me. There's a place where I belong, where I can be myself." The isolation, emptiness, and despair she once felt have been replaced by the restoration of hope, purpose, and genuine belonging. It's a journey of healing that she is passionate about sharing.

You can join Shannon in witnessing these miracles, and help another person caught in addiction declare, “I want to live!” Your generous support could help change the trajectory of someone’s life. Consider making a one-time gift or recurring donation to Teen Challenge today so we can continue offering a pathway of hope and transformation for those trapped in the cycles of addiction and despair.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration in supporting the life-transforming work of Teen Challenge of Southern California.