Teen Challenge of Southern California - Riverside, California

michael simmons

Great place to stop walking through life without The Lord

Matthew Jones

Donators beware: So, sadly, we've decided to close our family business of 37 years; it's hard to be an employer in California these days - unless you're willing to break rules, which my family is not.

My mom's been diligently selling our office supplies, equipment, & furniture through the various garage sale apps/sites but it's gotten to the time where we need to be out of our building so we needed to basically offload what's left instead of waiting for individual buyers to materialize. Trying to donate to a good cause, Mom reaches out to Teen Challenge; gets everything scheduled for a pickup of what's left.

First problem = Teen Challenge workers don't go inside buildings; no stairs, etc, things like that. Well, OK, but we're in a 6-story office building; our office suite is on the 4th floor but there is a bank of elevators including a dedicated service elevator.

Nope; can't do it. We have to haul everything out to the curb for pickup.

Fine, we'll do that. We setup the appointment; arrival window between 8a-5p - all prearranged weeks ago. Wait. Wait. So pickup day arrives!

My parents, both in their late 60s, arrive early at the office building to begin hauling downstairs; before the heat sets in. A dozen office chairs (some basically brand new; replaced a few older ones), 8 barely used 27" computer monitors all bought within the last couple years (the exact model is still available at Walmart & Amazon for just under $200; we sold a few for $20). Stuff like that; stuff we're told Teen Challenge is really looking for. My wife, our 6 year old, and myself arrive an hour later, just in time to help my folks with the last few loads downstairs; anything not in decent condition goes to the dumpster.

8-5p pickup window. Comes. Goes. Gone. No pickup; our stuff sitting off to the side of the main entrance with all the pickup paperwork.

Nothing. So my parents call; our stuff is just sitting outside at nightfall. "Oh, yeah. We don't do pickups at businesses."

... ... ...um.

You only pickup from residential curbs? No business curbs?! What, precisely, is the difference?!

And we're just now hearing about this?! No heads-up phone call as drivers are being assigned? Maybe let us know, during the day, that there was some mistake and you're not coming after all?!

Nope! Now for the kicker - we have to call a guy, last minute, to come pickup all this stuff and haul it to the dump; if he's smart, most of it won't make it there - turn it around and make a few bucks.

So, my parents are now out $700 to pay this guy, last minute. All because they tried to donate to a good cause as a final gesture of goodwill toward the community.

Nonprofits these days; no good deed goes unpunished!

Giving 2 stars because I'm sure the cause is a worthy one; my Mom saw something that made her want to donate, after all.

But definitely donate elsewhere. This organization's needs are met, clearly; they think so anyway.

Reverend Morris

I graduated from Teen Challenge twenty five years ago and God is still as real today as he was the day I met Him. Because of Teen Challenge I have been sober for 25 years.i have a great job, loving wife, beautiful son. All that God promised me I'm living today Jeremiah 29:11-13

Ron D'Alessandro

The Benedict Castle Concourse was a great event

Sienna Thomas

An older and younger fellow came to my door. They were very polite and were able to relay information about the center with such compassion. You could feel the honesty in their words and from their hearts as they talked about the program that had helped them in their tribulations throughout life. I was happy to offer a donation, and it prompted me to look into the center further. I'm happy they came knocking, seems like a wonderful program!

Trever Finnigan

Awesome place where life controlling addictions are broken through the power of the gospel. The staff is amazing and most have first hand experience because they too had their lives changed through the program. This makes them the perfect people to provide help and guidance for those looking to change. I have heard many testimonies and seen lives changed through this place. Best of all, this is a free program for those who go through.

Mark Anthony

Best place ever if you know anyone with addiction! Call them its free by Gods Grace

Martha Rios

The way they treat you a person that is already broken after they're graduate is uncalled for.
Mr. Osenaya, God don't like dirt.