Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge (MNTAC) is a program that aims to help those in the Northland struggling with addiction. This is MNATC Residential Recovery program member Derrik Ketcham’s story.

“Sometimes I just sit here and get teary eyed because I’m happy I got to wake up. There’s a lot of people in this world that don’t get to wake up,” said Ketcham.

It’s said faith can move mountains, and MNTAC’s faith-based approach has helped many find their way through the toughest of times. Drug and alcohol addiction ruins families, takes lives, and is a path that many see no way off of.

In life Ketcham found himself in the middle of his own addiction and gang violence.

“I’ve seen a lot of violence from physical, emotional, sexual, all that, just in my entire life. I ended up getting into it with some gangs and just started to take a turn for the worse.”

One year ago, Ketcham made his way into MNTAC in Duluth, turning his life around for the better.

“I’ve seen miracle after miracle here at our center,” said Emma Barr a MNTAC Treatment Director. “These men come in with very chaotic pasts and stories. You might think how in the world could things change for them. But as they spend time facing all of the things that they’ve been through and continuing to show up day after day. They are transformed from the inside out.”

After 11 failed recovery programs, Ketcham came to MNTAC broken and scared. Now, he is an encourager to others, and staff call him ‘a shining hope in the darkness of other people’s lives.’

“I am a living, breathing, and walking testimony,” said Ketcham. “I shouldn’t be here right now. I’ve been stabbed, shot at. I was trying to be a cool kid. And here at Teen Challenge I found myself and who I am in Jesus Christ. And it’s amazing.”

Do donate to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, tune in to WDIO on Tuesday, December 10th for the Trees of Hope phone bank.