Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge (MNTAC) is a program that aims to help those in the Northland struggling with addiction. This is MNATC client Tommy Salazar’s story.

Not everyone gets second chances in life. But when that opportunity comes around, for some, it means the difference between life and death. 

Tommy Salazar was given his second chance, finding his way to MNATC for the second time in 2024 after his first program in 2020. 

“So, I came here, I graduated the short-term program, thought I had it all figured out. I thought I had everything that God had for me. Kind of had my own plan figured out. I was able to convince the director, Becky at the time, who was the clinical director, that I was ready, that I was good to go. But ultimately, about a year and a half later, I relapsed,” said Salazar.

In 2019, after a whirlwind of negative events including alcohol addiction and struggles with managing anger, Salazar found himself in jail for six months. He was released early, despite pushback from the justice system.

“Two weeks later, I went to the Minnesota Adult Teen Challenge. I came into this program. This is where I truly found God. Like, I really found God here,” said Salazar.

 Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge has given Salazar the chance to find himself without anger and addiction. Something he pushed away his first time through the program.

“I thought I had it all figured out after 90 days. But this program, you know, gives you an option to either do short term, 90 days, or you can dive into the whole program, get it for all it’s worth, and do the whole 13 months. And that’s what I’m here for this time,” said Salazar.

Now, Salazar has goals that to keep him away from the negativity of his past.

“My plan is to go to TCLI to finish off the whole two years, because there’s like an 80 percent sober rate if you finish, you know, from start to finish. And so that’s my goal. You know, I want to be sober from everything. I want to fulfill God’s plan for my life, you know,” said Salazar.

Halfway through his program, Salazar has now learned to accept this second chance and learn to accept God’s grace along the way.  

“I didn’t have everything figured out; you know. And so, I ultimately had to dive deeper and accept my relapse. You know, it took me two years to accept that. I had a lot of shame and guilt because of it. You know, this wasn’t supposed to happen,” said Salazar. “God got me out of jail. He got me out of a tough spot where I was supposed to go to prison. I deserve prison, you know. But by his grace, you know, he freed me from that. And now I’m in this program.”

This time around, Salazar has more appreciation for the impact MNATC has had on his life, turning it around for the better.

“It’s all because of this program. You know, if it wasn’t for this program, I never really would have dug so deep. You know, I think both the clinical and the spiritual side are equally as effective because the clinical side helps you dive deep into mental health and mental health awareness and childhood traumas, which is a real thing, you know. And then also the spiritual side, you know, God can transform and renew our hearts and our minds,” said Salazar.

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