Situated in the heart of Hrazdan, only 70km from Armenia’s bustling capital city, Yerevan, Teen Challenge Armenia has established its pioneering ministry, the Men’s Rehabilitation Center. Operated under the devoted leadership of Edik Saghatelyan, this center arose from a fervent commitment to “reach those whom no one else reaches”, providing a haven for men wrestling with addiction.
At our center, the stillness of Hrazdan’s landscape creates a healing backdrop for up to 30 men to embark on a life-changing journey. The beating heart of our program is a year-long, immersive rehabilitation process. Their stay here not only focuses on overcoming their physical dependency but also carves out a spiritual path that leads them closer to God.
Joining Teen Challenge, each man is gently introduced to our compassionate community as a “student.” This term not merely reflects the educational aspect of the program, where the teachings of the Gospel serve as the foundation for recovery, but also expresses our underlying belief in their capacity to learn, grow, and change.
Detoxification forms an essential first step for many students entering our program. We respond promptly to those in critical health conditions, ensuring they receive proper medical attention and hospital care. Our team employs proper detection methods for any major infectious diseases before ensuring their seamless transition toward crucial medical treatments. Thanks to our government mandate, these students receive free medical care, demonstrating to them, concretely, that they are indeed worth fighting for.
Standout elements of our approach include work therapy and intensive Bible studies. The latter nurtures their spiritual growth, while the former equips them with tangible skills for their re-entry into society. Further enhancing this transition, we encourage students to explore trades and professions, ensuring they have the resources they need to reintegrate into their families and communities.
In the town of Merdzavan, 5km away from Yerevan, resides our second center, where students take their next pivotal steps in their journey to recovery. Here they undergo our adaptation program, designed to refashion recovering addicts into productive members of society. Though a three-month duration is typically provided for this transition, we recognize that everyone heals at their unique pace. Our primary focus remains to uphold their dignity and instill self-confidence during this critical phase.
Our dual centers form the beating heart of Teen Challenge’s mission – reaching out, standing alongside, and providing tangible and transforming change for marginalized individuals. Together, we do more than combat the evil of addiction; we show each man that they are more than the battles they’re fighting. They are valuable, capable of change, and worthy of a second chance. From a seemingly hopeless condition to an abundant life, we continue to witness the miracle of transformation, reminding us that with faith, all things are possible.