By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson



Some changes are in progress at one of Hayden’s busiest organizations.

Buried deep in the woods not far from Rickwood Caverns, the Alabama Teen Challenge (ATC) men’s camp will soon house women instead.

In an effort to save money by reducing staff, ATC is transferring Hayden’s male students to the existing ATC Men’s Induction Centers in Selma and Bay Minette.

“We have been affected by the economy much like everyone else,” said Brandon Lackey, director of development for ATC. “With income being down and expenses going up, we had to do something.”

Lackey said losing quality staff members was one of the most difficult aspects of the decision.

The move to consolidate the Hayden campus into other facilities was a “short-term effort on our part to steward what God has given us,” Lackey said. “The ministry has been so blessed in the last few years with great facilities. They have been under-utilized. It made good sense to use what God has given us and to cut some costs as well.”

The long-term plan includes moving the women’s center from Birmingham to Hayden, possibly in early 2010. The Hayden site will accommodate more than 40 students, while the Birmingham site houses about 30.

Lackey said there is a long waiting list for women who want to enter the ATC program.

ATC has not yet decided what to do with the Birmingham facility.

Teen Challenge is a Christian-based organization that helps people overcome life-altering issues. It is a 12-month residency program with facilities world-wide.

Alabama Teen Challenge, Inc., got its start at Evangel Assembly in Mt. Olive in 1972.

From there, the organization moved to a vacant house in Birmingham’s West End.

Later, someone donated property in Blount County. ATC purchased additional adjoining property and moved to the 40-acre site in Hayden in 1991, with only one wing of the house completed.

ATC students and volunteers finished the building in the next two years.

The Birmingham center opened in 1996 to serve women.

Two big fund-raising events in upcoming weeks will benefit ATC.

There will be a charity clay shoot Aug. 1 at Selwood Farms in Alpine, and a Ross Bridge 8K Run/Walk and health expo on Sept. 5.

To learn more about these events or about ATC, call (205) 780-2950 or visit www.alabamateenchallenge.org.