Student Reviews
Southwest Florida Women’s Rehab

Lives are being transformed every day at Fort Myers Teen Challenge. These real stories come from women who experienced healing, restoration, and new hope through the program.
 
 

“Awesome program that changes lives!” – Nicole

“Awesome program that changes lives! I am a graduate and I am so grateful for the transformation and restoration that it brought!”

– Nicole

“God has delivered me…” – Tori

“God has delivered me from the bondage of addiction, anger, fear, depression, and self-loathing. Fort Myers Teen Challenge helped me lift my head again with real hope for the future. I used to depend on the bottle in my hand just to survive, but now I’ve thrown the bottle away—and I’m holding on to Jesus.”

– Tori

“My life was permanently changed” – Lisa

“I wasn’t brought up as a Christian. Intelligence and education were always considered the most important aspects of life, so I became a diligent student with ambitious goals. But at age 13, I was sexually assaulted. After that, I rebelled and started experimenting with drugs, which eventually became my lifestyle. By 24, I was using heroin, starting a 20-year addiction filled with psychological struggles. I lost my will to live—I was dying inside.

At 44, after hitting rock bottom, I came to Fort Myers Teen Challenge. Within a few months, my life was permanently changed. I finally felt God’s presence and accepted Christ into my heart. Today, I never wake up sad or depressed. I’m grateful to be alive, and I’ve dedicated my life to serving Christ.”

– Lisa

“Surrendering completely to Christ has been the best choice” – Callie

“I was lost. I had no direction, no meaning, nothing left. I began selling myself as a prostitute just to support my addiction. After a lifetime of accepting abuse, I believed I was worthless. I was searching, experimenting, and finding nothing but pain and self-destruction, so I numbed it all with drugs.

After coming to Fort Myers Teen Challenge, I am filled with the joy of the Lord. I know my stains are wiped clean. Surrendering completely to Christ has been the best choice I’ve ever made. Everything I’ve asked Him for, He has taken care of… and most of all, He has restored me.”

– Callie

“God restored my joy and my future” – Melinda

“I grew up in a loving home, but when I left for college, I rebelled. I wanted acceptance so badly that I did anything to fit in. My priorities fell apart, and I failed my freshman year. I joined the Coast Guard trying to escape my problems, but I got arrested twice and fell deeper into addiction. When I moved back home, I entered a toxic relationship. Two months later, I found out I was pregnant, and the father fled. I felt hopeless and sure I would never experience joy again.

But I was wrong. I came to Fort Myers Teen Challenge, and now I have a relationship with God. He has shown me His faithfulness and is restoring my relationship with my family. I can finally say that I have hope and a new outlook on life.”

– Melinda

“Now I am a woman with purpose” – Natalie

“I was adopted twice—first by a family at age 3, and later into God’s family. Growing up, I never felt accepted or approved of. I believed I was unwanted, unloved, and unimportant. Everything my mother wanted me to be, I resisted, and I turned to partying and addiction. One night, as I cried feeling hopeless, I heard the Lord whisper to my heart that I was meant for more.

After coming to Fort Myers Teen Challenge, everything changed. I now live and breathe for God. I have a reason to get up in the morning. I am a woman with purpose, and that purpose is to live for Him. His approval is all I need—because on Christ, the solid rock, I stand.”

– Natalie

Share Your Story

Your experience could inspire someone else to take the first step toward healing. If you are a graduate or family member, we welcome your story.