Teen Challenge GTA women’s centre held a spring banquet on Thursday, April 29th at the Embassy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton. Over 500 people were in attendance to see the newly formed Teen Challenge women’s choir, hear moving testimonies, and listen to Moira Brown of 100 Huntley and keynote speaker Laurie Turcotte of 680News.

The 17 member women’s choir, made up of current students at the GTA centre, was a huge success! Teen Challenge has been sending out their men's choir for almost 3 decades — a women's choir is long overdue.

“Your hearts are going to be touched,” promised Moira Brown as the evening began.

Three students shared their testimonies, and the wide range of circumstances that led the women to addictions with drugs and alcohol demonstrate that substance abuse knows no geographic or social barriers.

“The people at Teen Challenge knew what I was feeling and where I was at,” shared one student.

Tara Saunders, Director of Development at Teen Challenge GTA encouraged supporters to consider monthly sponsorship. For $35 a month sponsors receive a colour photo and the story of a current student, quarterly updates and an invitation to their graduation. “The ladies share their souls and show such courage. 17 ladies are walking victoriously today. Addictions never happen in isolation. There’s a ripple effect on relationships, family and children. We need to do more.”

Keynote speaker Laurie Turcotte shared about her own troubled past and struggle with addictions. So many of these stories began with childhood abuse and emotional trauma. “I believed every harsh word he said to me,” Ms. Turcotte shared speaking of her father.

Ms. Turcotte captivated the crowd as she spoke of her own path to life-saving faith. “God worked through the mess inside me. I dared to believe the truth and was transformed by the power of love.”

Teen Challenge GTA Director, Garry Cox, ended the evening, “This is what Teen Challenge is really about. God brings these ladies in damaged and bruised, and sets them free.”

For more information about Teen Challenge GTA, or to find out how you can help,
click here.