Hayden ATC camp to house women

Religion

Discussion

July 20, 2009

Anonymous The North Jefferson News Mon Jul 20, 2009, 08:45 AM CDT

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson

Some changes are in progress at one of Hayden’s busiest organizations.

Buried deep in the woods not far from Rickwood Caverns, the Alabama Teen Challenge (ATC) men’s camp will soon house women instead.

In an effort to save money by reducing staff, ATC is transferring Hayden’s male students to the existing ATC Men’s Induction Centers in Selma and Bay Minette.

“We have been affected by the economy much like everyone else,” said Brandon Lackey, director of development for ATC. “With income being down and expenses going up, we had to do something.”

Lackey said losing quality staff members was one of the most difficult aspects of the decision.

The move to consolidate the Hayden campus into other facilities was a “short-term effort on our part to steward what God has given us,” Lackey said. “The ministry has been so blessed in the last few years with great facilities. They have been under-utilized. It made good sense to use what God has given us and to cut some costs as well.”

The long-term plan includes moving the women’s center from Birmingham to Hayden, possibly in early 2010. The Hayden site will accommodate more than 40 students, while the Birmingham site houses about 30.

Lackey said there is a long waiting list for women who want to enter the ATC program.

ATC has not yet decided what to do with the Birmingham facility.

Teen Challenge is a Christian-based organization that helps people overcome life-altering issues. It is a 12-month residency program with facilities world-wide.

Alabama Teen Challenge, Inc., got its start at Evangel Assembly in Mt. Olive in 1972.

From there, the organization moved to a vacant house in Birmingham’s West End.

Later, someone donated property in Blount County. ATC purchased additional adjoining property and moved to the 40-acre site in Hayden in 1991, with only one wing of the house completed.

ATC students and volunteers finished the building in the next two years.

The Birmingham center opened in 1996 to serve women.

Two big fund-raising events in upcoming weeks will benefit ATC.

There will be a charity clay shoot Aug. 1 at Selwood Farms in Alpine, and a Ross Bridge 8K Run/Walk and health expo on Sept. 5.

To learn more about these events or about ATC, call (205) 780-2950 or visit www.alabamateenchallenge.org.

Text Only

Religion

Church welcomes members to new campus for prayer walk
It’s not completely finished, but members of Gardendale First Baptist Church had the chance to worship briefly at their new campus on Sunday.

March 10, 2010
Prayer walk group to meet at area schools in upcoming weeks
A new ministry group known as P3 (Power of Praying Parents) and campus ministry group First Priority have teamed up to organize prayer walks on the campuses of area schools.

March 1, 2010
Church project to shed light on poverty
On Friday, the youth pastor at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church and at least 15 youth members will be participating in a project that will culminate with an outdoors sleepover.

February 17, 2010
Youth Force Ministries moving to new location
The church bought the former Farmers Gin and Tractor building and surrounding 9.2 acres. Crews have been renovating the facility to transform it into a place of worship. “Anybody that’s been in there wouldn’t know it on the inside,” said Robin Bullock. “It’s really unique.”

February 4, 2010
Warrior church finds a new home
Rapid growth at a church in Warrior has forced it to find a new home.

February 2, 2010
Just Keep Smiling to host benefit concert next month A local charitable foundation is again turning to music to help raise funds for its cause.

Gardendale-based Just Keep Smiling provides gas vouchers, buys food, pays utility bills and living expenses for families with critical care children. The group will hold its third fundraising concert on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Gardendale First Baptist Church.
October 30, 2009
Concert event to benefit Christian university Anyone looking for inexpensive entertainment at a good price can find it this weekend at the Gardendale Civic Center.

“Stars Fell on Gardendale” will offer up a variety of musical and comedy acts with proceeds benefiting Faulkner University. Tickets for the show are $10.
August 19, 2009 1 Photo
Church crafts new lounge for FHS teachers Volunteers revealed a “Starbucks-style” break room with new paint, appliances, cabinets, countertops, tables, chairs and even ceiling tiles.
August 12, 2009
West fund to benefit family North Jefferson residents are rallying around the family of a community-minded man who died earlier this month.

Jeffrey “Scott” West died on July 16 at age 46 following complications from Type I diabetes, according to his wife, Sue Ann West.
July 29, 2009
Warrior church providing meals for children A Warrior church has committed to feeding a group of children for the remainder of the summer.

Family Life Center is providing up to 40 meals, five days a week, at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama, Inc., located in Warrior.
July 29, 2009
More Religion Headlines

Religion

Search Results

Discussion

Hayden ATC camp to house women

Site Map

Contact Us