Teen Challenge Portugal

Following the street work developed by volunteers, on the streets of Lisbon in 1978, Pastor Lucas da Silva and the Portuguese Assemblies of God movement in cooperation with the Portuguese Red Cross acquired a farm that would become the first Therapeutic Community of Teen Challenge.

Since its founding, Teen Challenge is concerned with getting to know and accompanying people in their different contexts, in order to help them find more satisfactory and healthy alternatives of life. Consequently, in the same manner as addiction and dependencies , Teen Challenge has also been transformed and adapted to new realities without compromising its identity. Throughout its existence, Teen Challenge has had some defining moments that have been apart of its history, fundamental patrimony for the construction of its future.

1978 – Acquisition of a farm in Fanhões, labeled as the first Therapeutic Community and headquarters of the institution.

1981 – Constitution of the association called Teen Challenge Portugal; D.R. No. 293 III Series, 22-12-81.

1986 – Implementation of the Therapeutic Community for female users in Salvaterra de Magos.

1988 – Beginning of the volunteer team – “Operação Josué”.

1989 – Constitution of the Technical Corps.

1990 – Obtaining the IPSS status with definitive registration under No. 14/90 in the Book of Institutions for Health Purposes.

1991 – Implementation of Crisis Community for male users in Lourel – Sintra.

1993 – Agreement of cooperation was established between the Regional Social Security Center of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Teen Challenge for users in Social Reintegration Apartments.

1994 – Implementation of Crisis Community for male users in Castanheira do Ribatejo.

1995 – Creation of the Ethics Committee.

1996/97 – Attribution of operating licenses by the SPTT to the Therapeutic Communities.

1999 – Update to the Cooperation Agreement between the Regional Social Security Center of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Teen Challenge for users in Social Reintegration Apartments

1997 – Exchange between the Therapeutic Community in Salvaterra de Magos and the Community of Crisis in Lourel, leaving the therapeutic community for female users operating in Lourel.

1998 – Implementation of the Therapeutic Community for male users in de Cucujães – Oliveira de Azeméis

1999 – Implementation of the Therapeutic Community for male users in Alter do Chão

2006 – Conversion of the Therapeutic Community in Fanhões to Community Insertion.

2009 – Conversion of the Therapeutic Community of Cucujães into Mixed Community

2009 – 2015 – Up to the date activity has been focused on the adequacy of therapeutic responses to changes resulting from legislative modifications and socioeconomic context.