National

Teen Challenge: A Home for the Homeless

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Across the country, hundreds of people are homeless, sleeping in cars, in abandoned buildings, on parks and under bridges.

Published

1 year ago

February 4, 2025

Jasmin Brown

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Across the country, hundreds of people are homeless, sleeping in cars, in abandoned buildings, on parks and under bridges.

While many feel their lives have hit a roadblock, countless organizations give them a safe place to live. Teen Challenge Bahamas is one of them.

We witnessed the moment when a young man walked up to the doors of Teen Challenge Bahamas on Marshall Road.

It happened as I was interviewing current teen challenge residents and staff.

With all of his earthly possessions in hand, he explains to Teen Challenge Executive Director Eric Fox that he has no place to go and had been sent there by a local church.

In a matter of moments, he was ushered inside and given a place to stay.

Fox became emotional as he told me it’s become a daily occurrence as more and more people face poverty and addiction.

While that young man is beginning his first day at Teen Challenge, others have spent years here transitioning from residents to staff members.

They’re among the success stories, overcoming addictions and homelessness to make a new path in life.

Home Director Ranshure Smith first met Fox and entered Teen Challenge Bahamas 17 years ago.

At the time, he was was battling alcohol addiction, he says the program changed his life.

It’s a sentiment echoed by everyone I spoke with at the center but Fox says Teen Challenge Bahamas is so much more than that.

It’s also a treatment center for those facing addiction, a counseling center for those facing emotional issues and partner with the juduciary to provide alternative sentencing.