Testimonials and Reviews

The following comments, testimonials and reviews are from current or past parents and students.  For their privacy we have not listed their last names, but if you would like a list of past parents or students to talk to before deciding about placing your girl here, please let us know.  Every Teen Challenge adolescent program is different, and we think ours is the best in the national, so see what our parents think.

“I was sitting at the computer today wondering how my life has changed so dramatically in the past 7 years. I remember walking through the front doors scared to death not knowing what to expect. Well I just wanted to write you and tell you how much I appreciated the experiences that I went through there. I have grown so much since you last saw me. I will be 20 in July. I graduated High School with honors. I was #12 out of 380. I have never been this happy before. I just wanted to say thank you so much for all that you have done for me.”  - Jessica M.

“Thank you! If it were not for the staff and students by my side, I would not have made it. The staff were my ultimate encouragers and they eventually all became a big part of my heart. I am so grateful for all of the encouragement, vision, effort and time that you’ve poured into me so graciously. You all saw me for what I could be, and not for what I was when I first arrived and for it I am so grateful.” – Emily H., Milwaukee, WI

“Columbus Girls Academy has not only turned my sister’s life around, but has also helped her find her own direction. Although she will be graduating from the program soon, she knows that it’s not an end – it’s a beginning to a new life. I don’t like to think about where she would be without this program. This is the environment she needed. She went in as a blank canvas. You provided the support and guidance as her brushed and paint to create her future and now she has this beautifully painted life ahead of her that she can be proud of.”  - Jilliane D., Sister of TC student

“Please know that we are very pleased to have our daughter enrolled in your program and have observed much improvement in her behavior, academics and spiritual awareness. I would also like to share with you that we are becoming enriched by your program as well. With sincere gratitude for the work you are doing and the renewed vision of hope that you and your staff are providing for my daughter, my family, and all of the other families involved with your program.” – Current Parent

“It is a crushing fork in the road to realize as a parent that your child is heading down a road leading to life altering consequences; and to know what you have within your reach is not enough to cause your child to stop the path of unhealthy choices. Facing the truth that you have done everything you can to avoid further trouble…with drugs, alcohol, the law, possible pregnancy or STD’s, or other self destructive behavior and to realize that it may not be enough is heart breaking. We feel that the journey to wellness and spiritual and emotional growth began for our daughter the day she arrived there. We are grateful for the program, the people, and the dedication to restoring the lives of teens and families.” – Janet and Brian V.

“Even though I’ve only been away from CGA for a few months, I can already see the impact it’s made in my life permanently, and my family sees it too. Before I went through the program I don’t really remember life. I was just depressed, lonely, and angry. I was always searching for something even though I didn’t know what exactly it was. I thought it could be found in relationships and pain. I didn’t want a relationship with God because the churches I had been to in the past seemed hypocritical, even though my parents loved the Lord, I didn’t really see that love anywhere else. After we moved when I was 10, I got into a lot of trouble with the wrong friends, and relationships with guys. My parents tried every way to help me, but nothing really worked well. Then my mom heard of CGA, and after a few months I found myself there. I can’t begin to explain the peace I felt and safety after just driving on campus. It was so clear there was something different about this place. Even though I hated to admit it, after a couple weeks there, it felt like home. I really have the staff to thank though, they really showed me what a love relationship with Christ looked like. It was their example that really made me want that kind of relationship too. There was nothing fake about it. They all also had such a love for me, even though I didn’t know them. I can honestly say that with God, nothing is impossible. I hated the idea of Christianity before, but now I’m more in love with my Savior Jesus Christ than ever before! Thanks CGA, for the example you gave me, and for letting me know what it’s like to be alive! Because before Christ, I was dead in my sin. But God makes all things new!” – Kaitlin V., CGA Graduate

“God used Columbus Girls Academy to save my daughter’s life. Her choices had taken her down a path of destruction that led to a car accident one night when she and a friend had been drinking and taking pills. She could have died that night but instead ended up in jail. I was certain this would be her rock bottom – but instead she became even more defiant over the next few weeks. After my first visit I had a peace that this was God’s choice for my daughter. The road wasn’t easy but she was able to internalize God’s word and rebuild relationships with her family that we thought had been damaged beyond repair. Thank you for being source of strength and encouragement to our family. I would recommend your program for any young girl, troubled or not.”  - Marla M.

“Our daughter was totally rebellious, acting-out, shouting when thing’s wouldn’t go her way, pushing and shoving, lying , sneaking around drinking and having sex. It was awful, all the things that she exposed herself to at such a young age had a hold on her and she was living in total rebellion. We tried keeping her away from the so-called friends and influences that were bad, but that only seemed to make her rebel even more, grounding did little to no good. So we decided that something drastic had to take place, we love our daughter and don’t want to watch her destroy her life and her future. So we called Columbus Girls Academy.  Within the first couple of weeks we saw changes in her attitude, and within a month’s time, my baby girl contacted me and said that she had received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and from that point on she has changed a little more each and every time I see her. I am so proud of her and the decision that we have made. The staff at there love and care for these girls and counsel them in the way’s of the Lord, and they are all wonderful Christian people. – Current Parent

“It is a grave and stark reality when a parent comes to realize they have lost all ability to speak into their child’s life, and that they are slowly losing that child to a world contaminated by darkness, hate, perversity, destruction, and hopelessness. Yet that is exactly the place that we found ourselves in while parenting our only daughter at the tender age of 15. As her parents, we were desperate and frustrated and didn’t know what to do, so we cried out to God to help us and show us the way. In our distress, he heard our cry and came swiftly to answer us. His answer came to us by way of Columbus Girls Academy. Our daughter arrived there very stubborn and damaged and left there compliant and whole. She was literally transformed by God working through the program. She is now whole in her relationship with us as her parents, whole in her conduct and interaction with others, and most of all, whole in her relationship with God. Now we are all enjoying life with our daughter again. We are back together being a family, working and playing as team. It is truly a miracle, and we are so grateful.  - Lydia