SUCCESSFUL TEEN CHALLENGE FACES A FUND-RAISING DEADLINE

For almost 30 years the Mid-America Teen Challenge Center north of Cape Girardeau has helped young men plagued by alcohol and drug addiction learn to live sober lives.

The center, like 127 others across the nation and 150 worldwide, has managed to carry out its successful program largely through donations and its own money-making operations that involve Teen Challenge participants. More than 3,000 men have attended the 10-month-long program here, and 2,000 have completed it. Hundreds of those have gone on to live successful lives free of alcohol and drugs.

If the center is to continue to offer its rehabilitation program, extensive renovations need to be made to its dormitories. Space is a concern, because 107 of the available 108 beds were filled as of last week. The center wants to add 11 beds. And new buildings and other projects at the center are envisioned.

With that in mind, Teen Challenge is in the midst of its biggest fund-raising drive yet: $500,000. Since announcing the drive a year ago, approximately $335,000 has been received. The $500,000 goal needs to be met before the end of February if Teen Challenge is to reap the benefits of a large challenge grant from an Oklahoma-based foundation. Raising an additional $165,000 in the short span of about three months is a tall order that must be met.

Men who attend the center do so for free. Through the center's General Work Experience program, participants develop proper attitudes and work habits while bringing in money from woodworking, strawberry and blueberry farming, and apple picking. But that money merely helps defray operational costs and doesn't go very far.

The Teen Challenge program is a proven one. The center's work is far too important to suffer because of inadequate facilities. With the community's help, the goal can be met.