Teen Challenge reaffirms funding plans

Teen Challenge Tasmania has defended its right to apply for government funding in the organisation’s establishment phase after coming under criticism from Meander Residents and Ratepayers Association (MARRA).

In a public statement, MARRA president Ms Bodhi McSweeney said Teen Challenge Tasmania’s “$960,000 grab for public cash” was at odds with the organisation’s claims of being a self-funded entity.

Teen Challenge Tasmania director Tanya Cavanagh took the opportunity to reaffirm the resilience of the organisation to proceed with or without government funding.

“It makes good business sense that, if you can gain some assistance from the government to help make life easier during the centre’s initial start-up period , it would allow us to focus more closely on the operation of our mentoring work with at-risk, disengaged kids and #NotEvenOnce drug education projects, turning kids away from the cliff of addiction,” Mrs Cavanagh said.

“The cost of the women that Home of Hope will be helping, to government and ultimately the taxpayer when considering health, welfare, legal and law enforcement is estimated at $181,934 per person per annum 1.. Considering most graduates of Teen Challenge programs re-enter society as positive, contributing members of society, it is at least equating to cost neutral, post program.

“Our ‘wish list’ of funding for the first three years is towards operational costs; $380,000 for the first two years and $200,000 for the third year and then no more.

“This is in no way unusual – other faith-based organisations like the City Mission and the Salvation Army also receive such grants. Neither was it hidden. It was clearly articulated publicly and to the Meander Valley Council that we would put our hat in the ring for financial assistance from the Government for start-up. Whether we receive their assistance or not will have no relevance to our capacity to operate. It is therefore disingenuous of the MARRA group to suggest Teen Challenge’s application for government funding is inappropriate or that it has been hiding such intentions from the Council.

“Teen Challenge’s model has never been dependent on government funding and never will be. When we commit to a woman and her children entering the program, we are committing to see her through to the end. If we are reliant on funding that can change in a term of government, we can’t then turn to her and say, ‘oh, sorry, the funding has run out, you’ll have to leave’. That’s ridiculous. We have a sustainable model that develops a foundation to ensure the funds are available for the doors to remain open.”

Mrs Cavanagh and her husband Peter Ferrall have made public their intentions, once planning approval for the Home of Hope has been achieved, to sell their own home and use $100,000 of the funds as seed capital to establish the foundation with a board structure and a fundraising focus. It was this model that saw Mr Ferrall fund seed capital to establish Teen Challenge WA’s foundation, which now has over $4 million in funds and assets to ensure its doors remain open into the future.

“In addition, we will be establishing social enterprises alongside Teen Challenge which will provide jobs and work experience for graduates of our program and local community members. Peter and I come from a corporate background and see it is our responsibility to ensure this organisation is viable to our clients, staff and the long term. We know what we are doing,” Mrs Cavanagh said.

1. http://www.atca.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/International-Journal-Therapeutic-Communities-2010-312.pdf

What is Home of Hope?

Teen Challenge Tasmania’s Home of Hope will provide single women, pregnant women, and women with children suffering from addictions and life controlling issues a safe and stable environment.

We offer help to women and their children through our faith based program, to meet the needs of the whole person; not only dealing with the addiction, but also rebuilding their self image, work ethic, spiritual awareness and relationships.

Taking a holistic approach to the recovery of alcohol and other drug issues, women are nurtured in all areas of their lives. Their family structure will be rebuilt, allowing them to return to society stronger and equipped to succeed as a family.

In this process, the student is taught indispensable lessons of strong work ethics, team work, patience, diligence, determination, communication, positive character qualities and motivation, to name a few.

www.teenchallengetasmania.org
Teen Challenge Tasmania director Tanya Cavanagh