 
(George Martin Executive Director) |
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Men's Ranch
Teen Challenge Ranch, a nationally recognized facility, located in Milford Ohio, is a 9 to 12 month, faith based, drug and alcohol residential treatment center founded in 1972. Serving a 100-mile radius, Teen Challenge Cincinnati, a 501(c)3 non-profit, funded solely by the generosity of private institutions and individuals.
Teen Challenge Cincinnati focuses on drug and alcohol rehabilitation for young men ages 18 to 35 by means of a 9 to 12 month, highly disciplined and morally centered, residency program. In order to meet the unique needs in the students’ lives, our focus is on their spiritual, mental and physical rehabilitation. We operate at a capacity of 34 men who undergo radical, deep character transformation. Students go through intensive studies, receive their GED if necessary, participate in occupational therapy, and receive life equipping skills along with job placement opportunities.
Teen Challenge is always in need of funds from private support. Most of our support comes private supporters like you, so if it is on your heart to Donate, please do.
Dear Teen Challenge Family and Friends,
Teen Challenge is a discipleship based ministry. We integrate discipleship, learning and education which moulds and perfects Godly characteristics in men. We are equipping men so that no longer are they bound by their circumstances, but are restored to the dignity and destiny God intended for them.
Crippled and bound they arrive – from all walks of life. Not fully realizing the freedom and overcoming power, along with the trials and testing that await them. Scenes of hopelessness and rescue along with life and death decisions are an everyday occurrence here.
The great and differentiating work we do here however, is proving to these men that in life they can be more than conquers – moreover that they can soar! High above and over anything “their world” had to offer. This is difficult, however, because it requires them pressing into a faith and lifestyle that is greater than their doubts and previous experience. This would not be possible without our gifted staff, volunteers and most blessed and dedicated board of directors, working committees and you – those who faithfully support us with your prayers and gifts.
Historically, an advancing army must have an adequate supply line, lest it be a short lived battle… and the further into enemy territory the more important those supply lines be kept up. We are making great advances rescuing and recovering those bound and in captivity.
Thank you for supporting this ongoing struggle for the hearts and minds of men.
His love has set me free, George Martin Executive Director
Teen Challenge is a Christian outreach and rehabilitation program designed to reach troubled and drug-addicted people with a message of hope. It was founded in 1958 by David Wilkerson, a pastor from Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, who went to New York City to work with young people involved in inner-city gangs. He established the first Teen Challenge to offer these young people a different kind of life than the drug addiction, crime and gang wars which dominated their lives.
Teen Challenge Cincinnati was started in 1972, largely through the efforts of Ken Bagwell, a former producer of a local television show. He was deeply concerned about drug addiction among young people in Cincinnati and, with the help of former Executive Director James C. Gray and others, began working in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood with the goal of establishing a Teen Challenge program in the city. Their success in the jails, hospitals and on the streets was an inspiration to others who helped incorporate a Teen Challenge in Cincinnati in January, 1973. In June, 1973, a building at 1410 Vine Street was purchased to establish off-street counseling and a rehabilitation center.
From this facility, Teen Challenge staff continued the jail and outreach counseling and started telephone and family counseling and Kids Klub, a program designed to prevent drug abuse among young children. With the assistance of volunteers, they began the extensive remodeling required to bring the building, formerly used as a “flop house,” up to standards established by the Cincinnati Health Department for a residential facility. In February, 1974, the first student was accepted into the residential program.
In April, 1974, Ken Bagwell was brutally beaten by young criminals, intent on robbing him, as he was taking pictures in Drake Park. Though he lay semi-conscious and almost totally paralyzed, his vision of an outreach to his city’s troubled youth continued to materialize.
By November, 1974, the mortgage of $33,000 had been paid and the program was reaching so many young people that the need for expanded facilities became apparent. In 1974, 98 acres of land in Clermont County was donated to Teen Challenge and plans for an expanded residential facility were made.
In May, 1976 Ken Bagwell died from his injuries. Just one month later, on June 12, 1976, ground was broken for the Teen Challenge Ranch, consisting of the Kenneth L. Bagwell, Jr. Youth Home, a dormitory to house 30 students and 4 staff and an administration building for classrooms, cafeteria, chapel and offices. Construction was delayed many months while a necessary change in zoning was obtained. Teen Challenge moved a major portion of its program to its new facilities on February 14, 1981.
The Outreach Office relocated to 210 Wm. Howard Taft Road for a number of years. This office was later closed and eventually all outreach services were relocated to the Milford Ranch in 1995.
In 1988 the Bob and Betty Lindner Community Resource Center was built on our grounds. The Resource Center houses a gymnasium, classrooms and meeting rooms.
An electrical fire on July 25, 1991 completely destroyed the dormitory. Today a new dorm, located on the same spot, houses up to 32 students in our basic program and 5 student in our Re-Entry program. It also includes a chapel, prayer room and lounge.
Our 9 to 12-month residential program continues to offer the tools for life-changing recovery to men between the ages of 18 and 35.
