Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:00):
Good morning and welcome to the community
connection.
My name's Skip Clark.
Another great program for youthis morning.
Uh, right here at the InnerHarbor Media Studios, locally
owned, locally operated, allabout hometown.
And we concentrate on a lot ofthe uh organizations here, right
here in central New York.
And this morning, no exception,I have the adult teen challenge
(00:22):
individuals in the studio.
I want you all to say hi to DanPicana, he's the developmental
uh coordinator.
I got that right.
We got uh Brian Mullen, and youare the director of I'm the
development supervisor.
So oh, you're like his boss.
Yeah, I got it.
And we have Kyle who's offcamera right now, but we'll
bring him in here in just alittle bit.
(00:42):
So we have uh, you know, we haveDan, we have Brian, we have Kyle
who's actually part of theprogram right now.
We're gonna find out about that.
Uh Dan, for those who may notknow as of yet, uh, can you tell
us a little bit about yourselfand your role with the adult and
teen teen challenge?
SPEAKER_01 (00:58):
Yeah, so my name is Dan Picana.
Um with uh Syracuse Adult andTeen Challenge.
I've been with the organizationfor some time.
I'm a graduate of the program.
Um I had come in in 2015, as amatter of fact, addicted to
opiates for about 17 years,benzos.
Um, I would have seizures by nottaking Xanax um that I had been
prescribed.
I was just overdoing everything.
(01:20):
And um, you know, it all cameabout from a motorcycle accident
I was in at the age of 17.
I was gonna be a Marine, andwhen I broke my right arm, um a
compound fracture kept me frombecoming a Marine just two
months later, and uh my wholelife went off into the distance
of addiction.
And um, I needed the Marines toshape me up.
This was their whole reason forme to go.
I couldn't do that because Icouldn't do that, and so um I
(01:42):
got placed on opiates at a veryyoung age, at the age of 34, not
sure what to do, where my lifewas going.
Um, I found this organizationcalled the Dalton Teen
Challenge, and since then mylife has been transformed
amazingly.
SPEAKER_02 (01:54):
No looking back, no looking back, but it's made you
a better, better person.
Oh, absolutely.
When you think about that, Imean I talked to a lot of
artists, and and believe it ornot, a lot of those have been in
that situation.
And I talked to a gentleman justthe other night, he's 12 years
clean now, but he hit cocainewas his drug of habit of choice,
and uh just amazing how goingthrough something like that,
(02:15):
it's never good, but it reallymake makes you realize that
there's so much more to life andit makes you a better person.
So so now, how did I mean I Iyou got involved, you joined
this, and how did exact how didyou get to where you are right
now?
You've been with it ever since.
SPEAKER_01 (02:33):
Uh, so I fell off a little bit uh here and there,
where you know, life has itsturns.
Um, while in the program, my momhad gotten a brain tumor.
Um I ended up leaving to helpher on hospice, and you know,
with everything falling apart,that was my like number one
person that had my back, nomatter what.
I'm one of seven children andthe only one with the issues
that I've had in life.
(02:53):
So it was like that was mysupport.
Um, so you know, you fall backinto activities that are are not
good, and then you realizequickly my life was going really
well while I was with thatorganization.
And what was cool was theyopened they open arms, welcomed
me back.
SPEAKER_02 (03:07):
That that is that is cool.
Yes, that is cool.
Thank God too.
Now you were arrested, you wereyou put in jail.
You you've been through allthat.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
Yeah, yeah.
Oh yeah.
Uh I have a record that wouldkeep me normally from doing any
kind of security positionswhatsoever.
Um, you know, any any realevents.
I'm not that person anymore.
I mean, heroin addiction willcause you to do all kinds of
things that you would notnormally be willing to do.
But um, I have to say, you know,God is good.
I I speak to this program and Iactually do security for the
(03:38):
Buffalo Bills now, which iscool.
So, yeah, I've got backgroundchecks on that to allow me to do
that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:43):
So, you did you come in from Buffalo to do this?
SPEAKER_01 (03:46):
So I actually graduated the Buffalo Center.
Oh wow, but I work for our ourour here locally, yes, locally
here in Syracuse, yes.
SPEAKER_02 (03:54):
So you you're in all those Bills games?
Yes, yes, lucky you know, so Imean when you say and now I
don't want to go off subject alittle bit, but uh you know, we
do a podcast, we talk a littlebit about everything, but that
is huge that you're able to workfor the Bills, absolutely and
you know, but do you securityfor the players?
You work in a gate.
How does all that work for you?
SPEAKER_01 (04:13):
So from the gates to just kind of watching the
stands, I'm I'm right close tothe field, right on the walls.
Um, you know, I'm the nicest guyyou've ever met, so let's keep
it that way.
Yeah, unless something's goingon.
SPEAKER_02 (04:25):
I I totally understand that.
SPEAKER_01 (04:26):
Absolutely.
unknown (04:27):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (04:27):
Here again, probably uh everything that's happened to
you in the past has made youeven better at that job.
SPEAKER_01 (04:32):
You know, I see who's doing what, you know, when
people are coming through thegate and I let them know,
listen, we're not we're here tohave a good time, let's just
keep it safe, and you got to getrid of that, you know.
Um, and I have to say, what'scool is the organization I work
for now that I I was a part ofas a resident at one point, you
know, it's a year-long program,long term, um, really has a lot
of strength behind it to help usto get involved with these type
(04:54):
of things, where a lot of ushave been just totally written
off by society and would keep usfrom ever doing anything like
this.
I mean, you would not see in metoday that I was a heroin addict
using needles in my arms, youknow, dude.
SPEAKER_02 (05:06):
When you I mean, before we went out with the
lights and the camera and yousaid, Here, take a look at this
guy, and you showed me a picturethat was on your phone, and uh,
you go, that was me how manyyears ago?
11 years ago.
I mean, it's a guy with longhair down below his shoulders,
you know, he's got a bandana on.
He's like, I'm gonna dude,that's not you, yeah, but it
was.
SPEAKER_01 (05:24):
Wow, yeah, that was me.
SPEAKER_02 (05:26):
God bless you, man.
SPEAKER_01 (05:27):
Amen.
SPEAKER_02 (05:27):
Bless you.
Uh, Brian, maybe you can talk alittle bit about this, Brian
Mullen.
Uh, for listeners who might notbe familiar with what exactly is
adult and teen challenge and howdoes it differ from other
recovery programs?
SPEAKER_03 (05:40):
Yeah, that's that's the most common question we get
because there's so many greatprograms out there, you know,
that break through to people.
And in our program, how itdiffers is um we are a
faith-based program, but we havea very holistic approach.
We are long-term, so generallysomeone will be in our program
from nine to 12 months and wereally address key things
through different stages in theprogram.
(06:01):
You know, we are local, like Dantalked about, you know, with the
bills, you know, as people arecoming in and going through that
sobriety aspect, we want tolayer on different things to
help with counseling servicesthat are offered, vocational
training.
So while we partner with thebills and they really respect
what we do, they keep our guysall together.
They even send us to the NFLdraft in Wisconsin.
They really love what our guysand our women do.
(06:24):
Um, we do culinary vocationaltraining, we have a relationship
with the Syracuse Mats, um, butwe really do a lot where we um
are just pouring into people.
Everyone at our men's programthat works there have gone
through and graduated theprogram so they know what it's
like.
SPEAKER_02 (06:39):
Yeah, I know right now on camera you just see two
of the individuals, but there'sa third off camera.
But all three of you have beenin this program, yes, and that
you've worked hard to get towhere you are today.
So nothing you know, I thinkthat's the best when you can
bring somebody in.
Uh well, I I've said I've talkedto other organizations where
(07:01):
somebody applies for the job,they come in and they have no
actual background about yeah,what happened, but you three
been there, done that, you knowwhat the feelings are, you've
experienced it, and now you knowhow to lead.
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (07:14):
And we'll talk to the Kyle here in a moment about
that.
But uh, so um the name TeenChallenge that often surprises
people.
Yes.
Um, can you explain how thatprogram has expanded to include
adults as well at this point?
SPEAKER_03 (07:28):
Yeah, so either one of you.
Um Teen Challenge started in the50s um in Brooklyn.
Um, a preacher from Pennsylvaniauh named David Wilgerson went to
help troubled teens and it'sjust grown exponentially.
Addiction, mental health,homelessness doesn't stop at a
teenager, adults go through it.
So when I was in the programlast year, I've seen an
(07:48):
18-year-old in the program, I'veseen guys in their 70s in the
program, um, and and in between.
And it's so beautiful to see howyou take Dan, me, and Kyle, and
and we all went throughdifferent things, but we've all
gone through things that eventhough they're different,
there's a lot of similaritiesand we can really relate to one
another.
Um, so it really has grown, youknow.
Even we have our men's programon Furmin, but recently we
(08:11):
opened a women's program inSyracuse as well, because not
only does it discriminate,there's no it doesn't
discriminate based off age orgender, you know.
So it's beautiful to walkthrough those doors and feel
love.
SPEAKER_02 (08:22):
Yeah, absolutely.
That's where the faith comes in,too.
Yes, I mean, you know, um, andhow faith is integrated into the
recovery process uh with thisadult and teen challenge is
awesome.
Yes, that is awesome.
Now we all know that and you'veall been there, but addiction
can feel overwhelming.
Um, not just for any of you thathad struggled, others that are
(08:44):
struggling, uh, but theirfamilies too.
How does your program supportboth individuals and their loved
ones?
Yeah, Dan?
So bring the mic up a little bitcloser.
SPEAKER_01 (08:55):
We always offer an open house.
We have different coffee housesettings and things where you
know parents and families cancome in.
Um, we always offer, you know,phone calls to relatives and
loved ones.
And what I noticed, even when mymom was alive, was she knew
where I was, that I was safe,that I wasn't on drugs, and that
I had accountability around methat was some all bunch of
people that were very supportiveof where I've been, and that
(09:17):
would also then help help theloved ones understand that this
person's in a good place andonly good things are gonna come
about in their continuation ofthe the time because a year is a
long time for somebody to beaway.
SPEAKER_02 (09:28):
Yeah, it is.
So you're away from everybodyfor yeah, you're very
structured.
SPEAKER_03 (09:34):
Um, because you know, and you do get that family
time, you do like butstrategically, because once a
month is a good time for yourfamily to see you grow.
Yeah, you know, I have kids alot.
My kids saw a lot of me in myalcohol addiction.
My mom the day before I went inthe program cried, Thank you for
going in.
I thought I was gonna have tobury my son.
(09:56):
But fast forward now, my kidssaw the growth in me every step
of the way, every month I sawthem.
And two weeks ago, I baptized mymom.
Oh my gosh, you know, so thisprogram is really used to not
only for the individual goingthrough it, but it really helps
restore things in a beautifulway.
SPEAKER_02 (10:14):
What are um some of the big misconceptions that
people have about recovery?
That's a good question.
That's a great I know, I knowDan.
SPEAKER_03 (10:22):
Take it away.
SPEAKER_01 (10:23):
I know yours, Dan.
You know, personally, it Icouldn't do it on my own.
Yeah, I needed a support team, Ineeded people that have done it
longer than me.
I needed people that were notgonna co-sign my crap.
I needed people that knew thatthey already tried every other
way and it wasn't gonna work.
And I I really needed God in mylife, you know, and all those
(10:44):
are all the things that I lackedwhen I was in the streets.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (10:50):
But you did it.
SPEAKER_01 (10:51):
Yeah, you know, it's crazy to be on this side of the
fence.
Um, so August 8th was 10 yearsfor me off of dope and Xanax and
um psychotropic medications, andI was doing a fundraiser event
where we are out in front of astorefront where we kind of, you
know, we call it drug drugawareness campaign, and then we
sell some of our cutting boards.
We have real nice artists incutting boards that the guys are
(11:12):
producing while they're they'rein the program and learning.
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
We'll talk about that here in a little bit.
That's cool.
SPEAKER_01 (11:15):
And uh I talked to these people and they said, I
said, yo, today is August 8th of2025.
And I said, This is the firstday 10 years ago that I didn't
take a prescription opiate orbenzo or psychotropic
medication, and it brought tearsto my eyes because for 10 years
I was so owned by that stuff 10years ago that to be on this
(11:38):
side of the fence shocks me.
I I didn't I I see people andhear about people getting away
from that stuff, and it nevermade sense to me.
I I thought this I'm probablygonna die in my misery, is what
my assumption was.
Um, I'm one of seven childrenthat my parents did actually buy
uh a plot for.
SPEAKER_02 (11:54):
I was gonna say, you had to um everything you went
through, and we all hear aboutthe horror stories about being
addicted and all that as well,but you had to be very close to
death at certain times, certainpoints, and not even realize it.
SPEAKER_01 (12:06):
Yeah, I mean, just in the activity in itself and
the things I've seen.
Like, people are like, Oh, youdon't watch horror movies?
I'm like, No, I lived in one.
Why would I want to be a part ofthat anymore, you know?
And I I had to see it, and itwasn't Hollywood's hurrah about
it, it was real life, and it'sshocking.
And and it's puzzling to peoplethat don't live in that
lifestyle to think, how couldyou?
(12:27):
And now I'm so removed fromthat, and I want to stay removed
from that.
That that working with TeenChallenge is great because it
keeps you accountable again.
Um, but also that that shocks meto think, and I never thought
I'd be the person that's shockedby these activities.
I was I was the activity, dude.
SPEAKER_02 (12:41):
I like you're a big dude.
You obviously work out.
I mean, you're one guy would notwant to cause a problem with the
security of the Bills game.
Um, I would have never thought,you know, you've got a heart of
gold right now.
You're you're like a kitten.
Yeah, does that make sense?
Because you're a big dude.
You're a big dude.
I mean, everybody take a look athim.
He's got he's got the guns, he'sgot all that, but good.
(13:03):
I mean, that's that's and nowyou know you have stepped up
being a man, admitted to yourmistakes, you got help, you went
through recovery, the uh adultand teen challenge.
You got involved with that, andhere you are today being the
director.
That is uh Dan.
SPEAKER_01 (13:20):
Just well, the development coordinator, but in
the same sense, I just want toknow, I just want people to know
that that I found purpose inlife.
My life lacked purpose.
You know, all I ever knew wasthe bad things about my life,
you know, born out of wedlockand and told to be aborted and
disowned as a son.
I've had three different lastnames before the age of four
years old.
And you know, you live withthose things and you think I'm
(13:42):
not wanted, I'm not accepted.
So then you start doing thingsto become accepted.
And those things that the worldteaches you to be accepted, you
know, in in my categories werejust bad.
They were illegal and they werecausing me to be accepted into
the prison system.
And um, you know, by the graceof God, I'm on this side of the
fence, and I'd like to keep itthat way.
SPEAKER_02 (13:59):
Awesome.
Do you um or any one of you, youyou get out to the schools, you
give, do you give like talks?
Do you say here we are, this iswhat we've been through.
You know, if you need help,don't be afraid to reach out.
SPEAKER_03 (14:12):
So, right now, this the school system, we haven't
really been in as much, but weare in the communities.
And I love looking at your guys'your reach on your website
because with our cutting boards,that vocational training allows
us to be in areas that normallywe want to be at.
So, looking at the map, we're upin Watertown Friday.
We're gonna be at several placesin stores in Watertown.
(14:35):
Court, we'll be down inCortland.
We got our Rochester Center, sothem and us tackle in between
here in the Finger Lakes area,and then we were in Utica not
too long ago.
In between Bills games, inbetween Bills games, there's
different, but there's differentvocational training that's
helpful.
But with that, we're able to goin front of stores and share
hope and be able to talk topeople about it.
(14:55):
And it's a beautiful thingbecause while we're in Syracuse
as our central location here incentral New York, we go all over
because we want to spread hopeto people.
There is another option that canhelp you or a loved one get
through this kind of thing.
SPEAKER_02 (15:09):
Let me ask you if somebody's listening to this or
they're watching this online,um, and they know somebody that
is having some issues.
SPEAKER_03 (15:17):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (15:18):
Uh, somebody that's addicted, going through
addiction.
We know that that's that's anillness.
SPEAKER_03 (15:23):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (15:24):
Um, what should they or how how can they can they
reach out to you and say, um, Iknow this certain individual,
uh, I know for a fact this iswhat's going on.
Is there a way that you canhelp?
SPEAKER_03 (15:37):
Absolutely.
So there's there's manydifferent avenues, but the
biggest thing is checking outour website.
So we have Buffalo, Syracuse,and Rochester for different
centers.
Okay.
Um, for men.
Um, we have our phone number umas well.
You can give us a call.
Um, social media is a great waytoo to check in because um, so
Syracuse Adolenteen Challenge,Facebook, Instagram.
(15:58):
We post testimonies, we postwhere we're gonna be.
The best way to find out aboutthe program is talking to the
guys that have gone through itor in it, you know, because
because we'll keep it real, youknow, because this is the
hardest thing that I've everdone in my life, but it's been
the best thing that I've everdone in my life.
Absolutely.
So people can call in.
Um, we are a residentialprogram, so people come in and
(16:19):
they spend a year of their lifethere.
Um, but with that being said,insurance isn't needed, right?
Um, finances, if that's anissue, it's not gonna be an
issue for us.
We want to welcome people in.
SPEAKER_02 (16:29):
You make it work.
SPEAKER_03 (16:30):
We are a we are a nonprofit.
People's generosity has beenwhat's been helping keep us in
Syracuse for the 70s, and andit's a beautiful thing.
Um, and our cutting boards helppave the way for people to come
in.
SPEAKER_02 (16:44):
Uh, Brian, is there a way?
First of all, what is thewebsite?
SPEAKER_03 (16:47):
Yeah, so we have New York Adult and Teen Challenge.
You'll see the differentcenters.
SPEAKER_02 (16:51):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (16:51):
Um, where you can be able to check it out.
Um, we'll have our information.
You can call us.
You can I manage our Facebook.
You can message me on Facebook.
We'll send over a quick littleapplication just to get to know
you more um because we want tofind out what drugs are you
coming off of, what kind ofmental health struggles are you
going through so we can meetpeople where they're at.
SPEAKER_02 (17:12):
Okay.
And what if you have to commitfor one year?
SPEAKER_03 (17:15):
The the thing is, is at the end of the day, we all
have free will.
Okay, we all have free will, butthe thing is there's power and
completing.
Yes, I personally went throughthis 11 months in the program.
I probably could have been goodafter six months, but at the end
of the day, I knew that therewas power and completion.
I ran away from things for mostof my life.
But when I was finally runningtowards something, when I
(17:38):
graduated, it was a beautifulthing to the point where I'm now
serving as staff.
I come in January.
So there's power and completion,and even that we want to make
sure we're coming alongsidepeople, we're creating safe exit
plans for people and helpingthem transition.
So we help people look for jobs,account continued accountability
after they complete the program.
(17:59):
And it's beautiful, right?
SPEAKER_02 (18:00):
Are there opportunities for volunteers or
ways that viewers or listenerscan get involved?
Can that make a monetary?
Can they they go to the websiteand click on the and make a tax
deductible donation?
SPEAKER_03 (18:12):
There's so many different avenues.
If you want to do a one-timepledge, you can do it on our
website.
We post on Facebook where we'regoing to be with our boards, so
you can check out our boards.
We even have recurring umsponsorships for a dollar a day.
Even a dollar a day can helpsomeone come in and get help.
Um, we have different events andstuff like that.
So if you're a business and youwant to promote your event or
(18:33):
your business, we have ourbanquet coming up in November.
It's our big fundraising eventof the year.
Nice.
You can reach out to me on oursocial media or even email
SyracuseInfo at Nytc.com andcome alongside us.
The best way to really see whatour program's about is
witnessing it.
(18:53):
Coming to our banquet.
Coming, we have a graduation inOctober where all the centers in
New York are coming together.
SPEAKER_02 (18:59):
I want to be there.
I'm just telling you becausewe're getting to know and know
each other here.
I would love to come out andhelp you with this.
SPEAKER_03 (19:04):
Beautiful event.
Um, our and all the details areonline.
Yes, all the details are our I'mpromoting everything on our
Facebook page.
Sweet.
You can message or email anyquestions.
SPEAKER_02 (19:13):
You know, before we talk to Kyle, how has uh the
community right here in centralNew York responded to your
mission?
Dan?
SPEAKER_01 (19:22):
You know, there's a lot of places that come
alongside of us and help withdifferent food that's necessary.
You know, we got a bunch ofguys, they need to be fed, you
know.
Uh, you know, what's cool islike Brian was saying with the
Syracuse Mets, they allow us todo concessions.
And I want the one thing that wedo have is manpower, and we have
you know accountability and wehave structure.
So guys have developed a reallygood work ethic.
(19:44):
So a lot of people will hire usto do different jobs, whether
it's been landscaping,carpentry.
Uh Amazon has a has a contractwith us where they'll take guys
in that have been graduated theprogram, they'll hire them.
You know, what's good is is welike to see guys with their
ongoing success and get peopleout to be a productive member of
society, you know, post-program.
(20:05):
You know, a lot of those peoplestay involved with the
organization because of how muchtheir life has transitioned
since you know they had come inand they know what it's like.
So the community is you know howwe survive, and it's cool to see
the different things that havebrought funds into our
organization.
SPEAKER_02 (20:19):
And we're so lucky to have a lot of these
organizations that embrace orcompanies that will embrace, you
know, like the adult teenchallenge and what have you.
SPEAKER_03 (20:27):
So that's and everything helps, nothing's too
small.
You know, everything we havepeople that just drop things off
for us, clothing because some ofthe men and women that walk in,
they literally walk in with theclothes on their backs.
SPEAKER_01 (20:38):
That's it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:39):
So everything is a huge help because at the end of
the day, it's because people seethe success in our success rate.
78 people that graduate don'tuse within three years.
God, that's awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (20:49):
It is, it's that's a big that's a great number when
you think about it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:52):
Yeah, because we look at beyond the program.
SPEAKER_02 (20:54):
Yes, that people have when you say people drop
things off.
Where do they do that?
SPEAKER_03 (20:58):
So we our men's program is on Furman Street, and
our women's programs onColomber.
Arrange something, you know.
That's the best thing to do, isto reach out and arrange
something.
Can they call?
They can call.
Somebody's gonna answer.
And Facebook Messenger is alwaysa great.
I get a lot on FacebookMessenger, pretty simple.
Um, you know, but but and we'lltalk it through because we do
(21:19):
get overabundance of things, butthat's where what's so great
about being a community.
We also know other people toothat need help, you know.
So we want to make sure we'recoming together as a community
because we can accomplish somuch more.
SPEAKER_02 (21:30):
I love that.
I'd like to take a few minutesif we could talk to Kyle, who's
off camera right now.
I don't know.
Is he yes?
SPEAKER_03 (21:37):
We'll swap out.
Yeah, okay.
SPEAKER_02 (21:38):
There you go.
Get out of here, Dan.
I'm Dan, you're awesome, by theway.
Thank you, sir.
Watch your step, watch my cord.
There we go.
We're bringing Kyle in.
We only have a three-seat studiohere.
We're kind of the heat's turnedup, so we're all sweating, and
it's uh it's crazy.
We all dress for the coolerweather today.
But uh Kyle, uh, what's yourlast name?
Copeland.
Copeland.
(21:59):
Kyle, uh, how long have you beenwith the adult teen challenge?
SPEAKER_00 (22:03):
I've been in the program for six months.
SPEAKER_02 (22:05):
Okay, and what got you there?
SPEAKER_00 (22:07):
So a series of of events in my life and and trauma
and and pain and suffering.
Um I was married in 2007, joinedthe Air Force in 2009, and in
2013 I was deployed toAfghanistan.
I was exposed to uh toxicmaterials that uh developed
polyps in my sinuses.
And in 2016, I went in forsurgery to get those removed.
(22:30):
And during the surgery, thedoctor drilled through my
frontal lobe um a centimeterinto my brain and hit an artery
and uh nearly killed me.
My wife was a nurse, so she wasshe was present and and able to.
They sent me home after thesurgery, and she was she was
with me through the night.
I went into a full-on uhseizure.
Oh my god.
She got me into the hospital,and by God's grace, I I lived
(22:52):
through it.
I was uh one month in theneurocritical care unit, uh
draining the fluid off my brainuh through my spine or spinal
attack.
Oh my lord.
And uh it just turned our lifeupside down.
Um, and uh so I wasn't able tocontinue in the in the military.
I did eight years, five yearsactive, three years guard.
I got out in 2018 as a result ofthe brain injury.
(23:13):
Um, and then, you know, to makeup for lost time, uh, we decided
that uh once I finally got to apoint of recovery where I could
I could function a little bit.
Um, my wife and I, we had fourkids.
I was gone a lot in themilitary.
I was got a lot with the braininjury.
We went through a lot togetheras a family through all that.
And uh, we decided to convert anRV or a bus into an R V and
(23:34):
travel full time.
So we did that in 2021 for sixmonths, and it ended uh in
southern Utah where our buscaught on fire.
SPEAKER_01 (23:43):
Oh my!
SPEAKER_00 (23:44):
And um two of my kids were trapped on board.
I ran running inside and uh wasable, by God's grace, to get
them.
My son climbed out through awindow.
My youngest daughter was able toget out, and uh, so my oldest
and my youngest were trapped.
And uh by God's grace, I wasable to get them out.
I have burns on my face andhands from it.
My children were burnt severely.
(24:05):
My oldest was 60% burnt, and myyoungest was 25% burnt.
We went through eight months ofuh skin grafts and surgeries.
Uh, my my oldest, her name'sPepper.
Um, she's 15 now.
Uh we all survived by God'sgrace.
Her her um her heart stopped for10 minutes on the life flight to
the hospital.
Oh my god, and the EMTs pumpedher heart and she was revived.
(24:28):
Um, she's gone through over 60surgeries, blood transfusions,
skin grafts, the works.
My my family has been throughcomplete and utter breakdown in
uh in our life and and sufferingand pain.
And it was a lack of life skillsand and the trauma and the pain
(24:49):
and the suffering that really Ididn't I didn't have any skills
to manage all that.
I I it was crushing me.
SPEAKER_02 (24:56):
I don't know how you did it.
SPEAKER_00 (24:58):
Well, I I turned alcohol at first and and and
tried to suppress all of thoseemotions and suppress the pain
and and and marijuana and andall sorts of things, just trying
in my own way because I had noother way to do it and in and
life started falling apart evenmore.
And and uh, you know, two yearsago, um, I I learned about
(25:20):
Jesus.
I learned about the gospel andand the gospel of grace, and
that that I didn't have to bestrong enough to manage it.
I can just I can just surrenderand God would take care of us.
And he has.
He's taken care of my kids, he'she's brought them to a place in
their life where they're coveredin scars, but they're full of
life.
And he's healed the inner scarsin me, and my wife, and all four
(25:41):
of my kids, because the two thatthat weren't burnt were still
traumatized.
It's it's incredibly possible.
So God has done a wonderful workin our life, and and uh, you
know, I just I I I didn't havethe life skills, and that's what
Teen Challenge is teaching me isthrough the counseling, through
the structure, through thedisciplines of this program, I'm
learning how to live life andhave the life skills to manage
(26:04):
my emotions, to feel what I'msupposed to, you know, what I'm
feeling, and uh, and and notturn to the substances to fill
me, but to turn to God to fillme and to fill my family and to
hear us.
So that's that's what I went touh the VA Center here in
Syracuse.
I was uh I was in the inpatientpsych ward there, and the
(26:25):
chaplain at the the the VAcenter um introduced me to Teen
Challenge because he had workedfor them for seven years and uh
and said this might be somethingyou're interested in.
And and by God's grace, I walkedthrough the doors and it has
been a tremendous blessing forme, my my wife, my kids, and uh,
and he's doing a great workthrough it.
(26:45):
So I praise God.
SPEAKER_02 (26:46):
Kyle, um I'm never speechless, and I do these I oh
my god, I it's just it's veryhard to conduct an interview
after hearing that.
And go ahead.
SPEAKER_03 (27:01):
Yeah, and and I remember the day Kyle walked in,
um, and his family brought himthere, and it's you could see
the hurt, you could see thebrokenness, you know, you could
see the uncertainty, but youcould see also the hope, you
know, because it is a big leapof faith to walk through those
doors, you know.
And and I did it when I had kidstoo, and it's it's you know, and
and it's beautiful to see howGod's been moving in his life
(27:24):
over the six months, you know.
And one of the biggest thingsthat we we hear from people, you
know, being a faith-basedprogram, what if you don't have
a relationship?
What happens if you don't knowwhat you believe?
And to that we say, just if it'swhich is not unusual, it's not
unusual, and it's a greatquestion because trauma in life
can cause you to wonder, right?
But at the end of the day, comeand see.
(27:46):
Come and see because if you'reat your wit's end, give it a
shot, give it a shot and seebecause it could be the
breakthrough that you need notonly for yourself but for your
loved ones, and it's beautiful.
SPEAKER_02 (28:00):
It is Kyle, what's a day like for you right now?
I mean, you're going throughthis and you're six months in,
but tell me about what is a daylike for you.
We wake up.
SPEAKER_00 (28:13):
We wake up at six every day, and we go to bed at
10 every day, and we're workingall the way through it.
And to be honest with you, it'sit's more than than I ever
thought I was capable of doing.
And that's what's so great aboutthe program is it's it's pushing
me, but there's grace when Ifall flat on my face, and and
also to help us through the day.
So we're we're getting up in themorning, we're doing chores,
(28:35):
we're we're we're workingtogether to to make our meals.
We uh we go in and we have Biblestudy and and chapel together.
Um, we do more chores, and thenuh messy, but it's all good.
It's all wonderful, and we woulddo work details in the
afternoon.
Um, and uh it really is to behonest with you, one of the
greatest things I've I'veenjoyed with the program is the
(28:57):
brotherhood and the fellowship.
SPEAKER_02 (28:59):
With the I can see it right here with the three of
you.
It's like you got three threeindividuals in this room with me
right now.
All three are different in theirown way, yeah, but yet you're
all together.
Y'all love each other, y'allmake it work, y'all know what
each other has experienced,yeah, and you're there to
support each other regardless.
And Kyle, if I may ask, uhsomebody that's six months into
(29:19):
the program, somebody's that'swatching this, somebody that's
listening to this, uh, whatcould you tell them right now if
they uh maybe they're addictedor they've been through some
sort of trauma, uh, sometraumatic event.
What what would you like to tellthem right now?
SPEAKER_00 (29:36):
To those individuals that are that are facing the end
of themselves that don't knowwhat what to do and are are
truly broken, um there ishealing, there is hope, uh,
there is a way forward.
And and team challenge has beenthat for me.
Uh it's it's really it it's I'mI'm blessed, I'm a blessed man.
And I would encourage them toreach out knowing.
(30:00):
That there is hope and there isthere is the possibility of
recovery.
There you can heal, uh, you canlearn how to manage and deal and
and process the the trauma andthe pain that you've gone
through.
And uh and it it there is hopefor anybody that that is, and
it's not just addictionrecovery, it's homelessness,
it's abandonment, it's abuse,it's trauma, it's pain.
(30:22):
If you've gone through that andany life-controlling issue that
you can't in your own strengthovercome, and you know it, then
teen challenge provides thestrength.
SPEAKER_02 (30:32):
Well, hopefully you heard that.
Yes, you know what I mean.
Um such an honor, a pleasure tohave all three of you here, um,
just with me today.
I did not know what to expect.
I knew I was doing theinterview.
Uh, these are things, uh, theseare organizations such as the
(30:52):
adult teen challenge that ourcommunity needs to hear more
about.
And I firmly believe in today'sworld where it's let's just face
it, it's kind of a scary placeright now.
We don't know what tomorrow'sgonna bring, and everything's
going on, everybody's got theiropinions about certain things,
but you know what?
I think that is uh drivingpeople to do more in the way of
(31:13):
not good.
Does that make sense?
For sure.
Yes, you know what I mean?
So here you are, you're offeringassistance, you're offering to
help out these men and women,you know, because you have the
women's program now, too, um, toget their life back on track.
Yeah, everybody is worthsomething.
Everybody for sure, you know, itdoesn't matter who you are,
everybody is worth something.
(31:34):
And I Kyle, um, just your story,uh being in the Air Force number
one.
Thank you for your service.
Um, I'm a big fan of the AirForce because I I love planes, I
love anything to do with that.
Did you jump out of a plane?
SPEAKER_00 (31:48):
Uh, not in the air force.
I have in the past.
Oh, okay.
All right.
I did, I was airborne, I was atactical support operator.
SPEAKER_02 (31:54):
Oh, okay, which is wow.
What is that?
What's that position?
SPEAKER_00 (31:57):
I did uh signals intelligence.
Oh, okay, okay.
SPEAKER_02 (31:59):
Yeah, they're down there.
Yeah, that's basicallycoordinates.
No, I know, I get you.
But uh thank you for yourservice.
Thank you for being such astrong man and um a loving
father and your wife, the familysticking by you all the way,
even in your you know, the truethe trauma is one thing, and I
don't I I don't know how you didit.
(32:21):
Well, you told me how you didit, but that wasn't the answer.
This is the answer of gettingthrough it all, turning towards
God and faith and seeing whatyou know what you're really
worth.
God bless you, my friend.
Thank you.
Um, if someone wants to learnmore, get involved, or seek
help, uh, what's the best way toreach out?
SPEAKER_03 (32:38):
The best way to reach out, um, is is I mean,
social media, I love socialmedia just because we show those
real-time things that we'redoing.
I mean, we just for example, wethe the the the women's program
Wednesday night was at a storein Watertown, you know, like we
go all over.
You're if you haven't alreadyseen us, most likely keep an eye
out for us because we're allover the place.
(32:59):
We divide and conquer.
Ask the questions, give us acall.
Um, because we our our intake,our intake team, they want to
help you.
They want to help you.
But the biggest thing is yougotta want it.
SPEAKER_02 (33:12):
And all that information with the number, the
email, all that, just go to thewebsite and they have a link
tree right there.
SPEAKER_03 (33:18):
So, yeah, new York Adon Teen Challenge uh.com,
Syracuse Adon Teen Challenge forour Facebook page.
I'd give you the number, but I'mterrible at giving numbers off
the top.
Because nobody's gonna rememberit like this.
SPEAKER_02 (33:30):
They need to look it up, but they'll remember the
website, yes, or do a search onsocial media or use Google,
whatever you need to do,whatever search engine you use,
and I'm sure it's gonna come up.
SPEAKER_03 (33:39):
Because, like I said, come and see for yourself,
it's powerful.
We got next Friday is ourgraduation in Syracuse.
Uh, November 14th is ourbanquet.
And again, come and witness it.
You know, if you can support, ifyou feel led to do so, please
do.
But at the end of the day, if ifif while we're talking to
someone here and we're reallygrateful for this opportunity,
(34:00):
if while we're talking oneperson here and needs help, this
is huge.
So if you are struggling or aloved one is struggling, reach
out to us and let's see what wecan do to get you the help you
need to do.
SPEAKER_02 (34:12):
And you better behave at a Bills game because
I'm just saying Dan's gonna comeover and kick some buttons.
SPEAKER_03 (34:18):
Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_02 (34:19):
Don't want to mess with Dan.
Has he taken any of you to aBills game?
No problem.
SPEAKER_03 (34:24):
Well, it's so cool because they just they love what
we do because like Dan wassaying, the people in the
program, they have a they'rethey're building up a good work
ethic, so they keep us alltogether, they respect what we
do, so they keep us alltogether.
So we'll send 30 to 40 people tothese games.
SPEAKER_02 (34:38):
I'll look for I mean it's not baseball season right
now, but with the the SyracuseMets, I work at the stadium.
Yeah, I'm one of theirannouncers, so it's um yeah,
I'll have to look for you guys.
SPEAKER_03 (34:48):
Yeah, we were at Faith and Family Day.
I got up and spoke at Faith andFamily Day.
Yes, so we go everywhere.
I mean, we were the cuttingboards has been huge for us
because we were at the New YorkState Fair this year, yes, which
was a beautiful opportunity.
We're at Harbor Fest in us.
We go, you know, we go nowheretoo big, nowhere too small.
We want to get everywhere.
SPEAKER_02 (35:07):
I love it.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for the first time.
The adult teen challenge, allthree of you.
Of course, Brian and Dan andKyle, um, all different aspects
of the organization, threedifferent people, but you've all
come together.
Thank you so much for beinghere, being a part of the Inner
Harbor Cast, uh, the podcast,and thank you for listening to.
Good morning and welcome to the community
connection.
My name's Skip Clark.
Another great program for youthis morning.
Uh, right here at the InnerHarbor Media Studios, locally
owned, locally operated, allabout hometown.
And we concentrate on a lot ofthe uh organizations here, right
here in central New York.
And this morning, no exception,I have the adult teen challenge
(00:22):
individuals in the studio.
I want you all to say hi to DanPicana, he's the developmental
uh coordinator.
I got that right.
We got uh Brian Mullen, and youare the director of I'm the
development supervisor.
So oh, you're like his boss.
Yeah, I got it.
And we have Kyle who's offcamera right now, but we'll
bring him in here in just alittle bit.
(00:42):
So we have uh, you know, we haveDan, we have Brian, we have Kyle
who's actually part of theprogram right now.
We're gonna find out about that.
Uh Dan, for those who may notknow as of yet, uh, can you tell
us a little bit about yourselfand your role with the adult and
teen teen challenge?
SPEAKER_01 (00:58):
Yeah, so my name is Dan Picana.
Um with uh Syracuse Adult andTeen Challenge.
I've been with the organizationfor some time.
I'm a graduate of the program.
Um I had come in in 2015, as amatter of fact, addicted to
opiates for about 17 years,benzos.
Um, I would have seizures by nottaking Xanax um that I had been
prescribed.
I was just overdoing everything.
(01:20):
And um, you know, it all cameabout from a motorcycle accident
I was in at the age of 17.
I was gonna be a Marine, andwhen I broke my right arm, um a
compound fracture kept me frombecoming a Marine just two
months later, and uh my wholelife went off into the distance
of addiction.
And um, I needed the Marines toshape me up.
This was their whole reason forme to go.
I couldn't do that because Icouldn't do that, and so um I
(01:42):
got placed on opiates at a veryyoung age, at the age of 34, not
sure what to do, where my lifewas going.
Um, I found this organizationcalled the Dalton Teen
Challenge, and since then mylife has been transformed
amazingly.
SPEAKER_02 (01:54):
No looking back, no looking back, but it's made you
a better, better person.
Oh, absolutely.
When you think about that, Imean I talked to a lot of
artists, and and believe it ornot, a lot of those have been in
that situation.
And I talked to a gentleman justthe other night, he's 12 years
clean now, but he hit cocainewas his drug of habit of choice,
and uh just amazing how goingthrough something like that,
(02:15):
it's never good, but it reallymake makes you realize that
there's so much more to life andit makes you a better person.
So so now, how did I mean I Iyou got involved, you joined
this, and how did exact how didyou get to where you are right
now?
You've been with it ever since.
SPEAKER_01 (02:33):
Uh, so I fell off a little bit uh here and there,
where you know, life has itsturns.
Um, while in the program, my momhad gotten a brain tumor.
Um I ended up leaving to helpher on hospice, and you know,
with everything falling apart,that was my like number one
person that had my back, nomatter what.
I'm one of seven children andthe only one with the issues
that I've had in life.
(02:53):
So it was like that was mysupport.
Um, so you know, you fall backinto activities that are are not
good, and then you realizequickly my life was going really
well while I was with thatorganization.
And what was cool was theyopened they open arms, welcomed
me back.
SPEAKER_02 (03:07):
That that is that is cool.
Yes, that is cool.
Thank God too.
Now you were arrested, you wereyou put in jail.
You you've been through allthat.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
Yeah, yeah.
Oh yeah.
Uh I have a record that wouldkeep me normally from doing any
kind of security positionswhatsoever.
Um, you know, any any realevents.
I'm not that person anymore.
I mean, heroin addiction willcause you to do all kinds of
things that you would notnormally be willing to do.
But um, I have to say, you know,God is good.
I I speak to this program and Iactually do security for the
(03:38):
Buffalo Bills now, which iscool.
So, yeah, I've got backgroundchecks on that to allow me to do
that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:43):
So, you did you come in from Buffalo to do this?
SPEAKER_01 (03:46):
So I actually graduated the Buffalo Center.
Oh wow, but I work for our ourour here locally, yes, locally
here in Syracuse, yes.
SPEAKER_02 (03:54):
So you you're in all those Bills games?
Yes, yes, lucky you know, so Imean when you say and now I
don't want to go off subject alittle bit, but uh you know, we
do a podcast, we talk a littlebit about everything, but that
is huge that you're able to workfor the Bills, absolutely and
you know, but do you securityfor the players?
You work in a gate.
How does all that work for you?
SPEAKER_01 (04:13):
So from the gates to just kind of watching the
stands, I'm I'm right close tothe field, right on the walls.
Um, you know, I'm the nicest guyyou've ever met, so let's keep
it that way.
Yeah, unless something's goingon.
SPEAKER_02 (04:25):
I I totally understand that.
SPEAKER_01 (04:26):
Absolutely.
unknown (04:27):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (04:27):
Here again, probably uh everything that's happened to
you in the past has made youeven better at that job.
SPEAKER_01 (04:32):
You know, I see who's doing what, you know, when
people are coming through thegate and I let them know,
listen, we're not we're here tohave a good time, let's just
keep it safe, and you got to getrid of that, you know.
Um, and I have to say, what'scool is the organization I work
for now that I I was a part ofas a resident at one point, you
know, it's a year-long program,long term, um, really has a lot
of strength behind it to help usto get involved with these type
(04:54):
of things, where a lot of ushave been just totally written
off by society and would keep usfrom ever doing anything like
this.
I mean, you would not see in metoday that I was a heroin addict
using needles in my arms, youknow, dude.
SPEAKER_02 (05:06):
When you I mean, before we went out with the
lights and the camera and yousaid, Here, take a look at this
guy, and you showed me a picturethat was on your phone, and uh,
you go, that was me how manyyears ago?
11 years ago.
I mean, it's a guy with longhair down below his shoulders,
you know, he's got a bandana on.
He's like, I'm gonna dude,that's not you, yeah, but it
was.
SPEAKER_01 (05:24):
Wow, yeah, that was me.
SPEAKER_02 (05:26):
God bless you, man.
SPEAKER_01 (05:27):
Amen.
SPEAKER_02 (05:27):
Bless you.
Uh, Brian, maybe you can talk alittle bit about this, Brian
Mullen.
Uh, for listeners who might notbe familiar with what exactly is
adult and teen challenge and howdoes it differ from other
recovery programs?
SPEAKER_03 (05:40):
Yeah, that's that's the most common question we get
because there's so many greatprograms out there, you know,
that break through to people.
And in our program, how itdiffers is um we are a
faith-based program, but we havea very holistic approach.
We are long-term, so generallysomeone will be in our program
from nine to 12 months and wereally address key things
through different stages in theprogram.
(06:01):
You know, we are local, like Dantalked about, you know, with the
bills, you know, as people arecoming in and going through that
sobriety aspect, we want tolayer on different things to
help with counseling servicesthat are offered, vocational
training.
So while we partner with thebills and they really respect
what we do, they keep our guysall together.
They even send us to the NFLdraft in Wisconsin.
They really love what our guysand our women do.
(06:24):
Um, we do culinary vocationaltraining, we have a relationship
with the Syracuse Mats, um, butwe really do a lot where we um
are just pouring into people.
Everyone at our men's programthat works there have gone
through and graduated theprogram so they know what it's
like.
SPEAKER_02 (06:39):
Yeah, I know right now on camera you just see two
of the individuals, but there'sa third off camera.
But all three of you have beenin this program, yes, and that
you've worked hard to get towhere you are today.
So nothing you know, I thinkthat's the best when you can
bring somebody in.
Uh well, I I've said I've talkedto other organizations where
(07:01):
somebody applies for the job,they come in and they have no
actual background about yeah,what happened, but you three
been there, done that, you knowwhat the feelings are, you've
experienced it, and now you knowhow to lead.
SPEAKER_01 (07:13):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (07:14):
And we'll talk to the Kyle here in a moment about
that.
But uh, so um the name TeenChallenge that often surprises
people.
Yes.
Um, can you explain how thatprogram has expanded to include
adults as well at this point?
SPEAKER_03 (07:28):
Yeah, so either one of you.
Um Teen Challenge started in the50s um in Brooklyn.
Um, a preacher from Pennsylvaniauh named David Wilgerson went to
help troubled teens and it'sjust grown exponentially.
Addiction, mental health,homelessness doesn't stop at a
teenager, adults go through it.
So when I was in the programlast year, I've seen an
(07:48):
18-year-old in the program, I'veseen guys in their 70s in the
program, um, and and in between.
And it's so beautiful to see howyou take Dan, me, and Kyle, and
and we all went throughdifferent things, but we've all
gone through things that eventhough they're different,
there's a lot of similaritiesand we can really relate to one
another.
Um, so it really has grown, youknow.
Even we have our men's programon Furmin, but recently we
(08:11):
opened a women's program inSyracuse as well, because not
only does it discriminate,there's no it doesn't
discriminate based off age orgender, you know.
So it's beautiful to walkthrough those doors and feel
love.
SPEAKER_02 (08:22):
Yeah, absolutely.
That's where the faith comes in,too.
Yes, I mean, you know, um, andhow faith is integrated into the
recovery process uh with thisadult and teen challenge is
awesome.
Yes, that is awesome.
Now we all know that and you'veall been there, but addiction
can feel overwhelming.
Um, not just for any of you thathad struggled, others that are
(08:44):
struggling, uh, but theirfamilies too.
How does your program supportboth individuals and their loved
ones?
Yeah, Dan?
So bring the mic up a little bitcloser.
SPEAKER_01 (08:55):
We always offer an open house.
We have different coffee housesettings and things where you
know parents and families cancome in.
Um, we always offer, you know,phone calls to relatives and
loved ones.
And what I noticed, even when mymom was alive, was she knew
where I was, that I was safe,that I wasn't on drugs, and that
I had accountability around methat was some all bunch of
people that were very supportiveof where I've been, and that
(09:17):
would also then help help theloved ones understand that this
person's in a good place andonly good things are gonna come
about in their continuation ofthe the time because a year is a
long time for somebody to beaway.
SPEAKER_02 (09:28):
Yeah, it is.
So you're away from everybodyfor yeah, you're very
structured.
SPEAKER_03 (09:34):
Um, because you know, and you do get that family
time, you do like butstrategically, because once a
month is a good time for yourfamily to see you grow.
Yeah, you know, I have kids alot.
My kids saw a lot of me in myalcohol addiction.
My mom the day before I went inthe program cried, Thank you for
going in.
I thought I was gonna have tobury my son.
(09:56):
But fast forward now, my kidssaw the growth in me every step
of the way, every month I sawthem.
And two weeks ago, I baptized mymom.
Oh my gosh, you know, so thisprogram is really used to not
only for the individual goingthrough it, but it really helps
restore things in a beautifulway.
SPEAKER_02 (10:14):
What are um some of the big misconceptions that
people have about recovery?
That's a good question.
That's a great I know, I knowDan.
SPEAKER_03 (10:22):
Take it away.
SPEAKER_01 (10:23):
I know yours, Dan.
You know, personally, it Icouldn't do it on my own.
Yeah, I needed a support team, Ineeded people that have done it
longer than me.
I needed people that were notgonna co-sign my crap.
I needed people that knew thatthey already tried every other
way and it wasn't gonna work.
And I I really needed God in mylife, you know, and all those
(10:44):
are all the things that I lackedwhen I was in the streets.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (10:50):
But you did it.
SPEAKER_01 (10:51):
Yeah, you know, it's crazy to be on this side of the
fence.
Um, so August 8th was 10 yearsfor me off of dope and Xanax and
um psychotropic medications, andI was doing a fundraiser event
where we are out in front of astorefront where we kind of, you
know, we call it drug drugawareness campaign, and then we
sell some of our cutting boards.
We have real nice artists incutting boards that the guys are
(11:12):
producing while they're they'rein the program and learning.
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
We'll talk about that here in a little bit.
That's cool.
SPEAKER_01 (11:15):
And uh I talked to these people and they said, I
said, yo, today is August 8th of2025.
And I said, This is the firstday 10 years ago that I didn't
take a prescription opiate orbenzo or psychotropic
medication, and it brought tearsto my eyes because for 10 years
I was so owned by that stuff 10years ago that to be on this
(11:38):
side of the fence shocks me.
I I didn't I I see people andhear about people getting away
from that stuff, and it nevermade sense to me.
I I thought this I'm probablygonna die in my misery, is what
my assumption was.
Um, I'm one of seven childrenthat my parents did actually buy
uh a plot for.
SPEAKER_02 (11:54):
I was gonna say, you had to um everything you went
through, and we all hear aboutthe horror stories about being
addicted and all that as well,but you had to be very close to
death at certain times, certainpoints, and not even realize it.
SPEAKER_01 (12:06):
Yeah, I mean, just in the activity in itself and
the things I've seen.
Like, people are like, Oh, youdon't watch horror movies?
I'm like, No, I lived in one.
Why would I want to be a part ofthat anymore, you know?
And I I had to see it, and itwasn't Hollywood's hurrah about
it, it was real life, and it'sshocking.
And and it's puzzling to peoplethat don't live in that
lifestyle to think, how couldyou?
(12:27):
And now I'm so removed fromthat, and I want to stay removed
from that.
That that working with TeenChallenge is great because it
keeps you accountable again.
Um, but also that that shocks meto think, and I never thought
I'd be the person that's shockedby these activities.
I was I was the activity, dude.
SPEAKER_02 (12:41):
I like you're a big dude.
You obviously work out.
I mean, you're one guy would notwant to cause a problem with the
security of the Bills game.
Um, I would have never thought,you know, you've got a heart of
gold right now.
You're you're like a kitten.
Yeah, does that make sense?
Because you're a big dude.
You're a big dude.
I mean, everybody take a look athim.
He's got he's got the guns, he'sgot all that, but good.
(13:03):
I mean, that's that's and nowyou know you have stepped up
being a man, admitted to yourmistakes, you got help, you went
through recovery, the uh adultand teen challenge.
You got involved with that, andhere you are today being the
director.
That is uh Dan.
SPEAKER_01 (13:20):
Just well, the development coordinator, but in
the same sense, I just want toknow, I just want people to know
that that I found purpose inlife.
My life lacked purpose.
You know, all I ever knew wasthe bad things about my life,
you know, born out of wedlockand and told to be aborted and
disowned as a son.
I've had three different lastnames before the age of four
years old.
And you know, you live withthose things and you think I'm
(13:42):
not wanted, I'm not accepted.
So then you start doing thingsto become accepted.
And those things that the worldteaches you to be accepted, you
know, in in my categories werejust bad.
They were illegal and they werecausing me to be accepted into
the prison system.
And um, you know, by the graceof God, I'm on this side of the
fence, and I'd like to keep itthat way.
SPEAKER_02 (13:59):
Awesome.
Do you um or any one of you, youyou get out to the schools, you
give, do you give like talks?
Do you say here we are, this iswhat we've been through.
You know, if you need help,don't be afraid to reach out.
SPEAKER_03 (14:12):
So, right now, this the school system, we haven't
really been in as much, but weare in the communities.
And I love looking at your guys'your reach on your website
because with our cutting boards,that vocational training allows
us to be in areas that normallywe want to be at.
So, looking at the map, we're upin Watertown Friday.
We're gonna be at several placesin stores in Watertown.
(14:35):
Court, we'll be down inCortland.
We got our Rochester Center, sothem and us tackle in between
here in the Finger Lakes area,and then we were in Utica not
too long ago.
In between Bills games, inbetween Bills games, there's
different, but there's differentvocational training that's
helpful.
But with that, we're able to goin front of stores and share
hope and be able to talk topeople about it.
(14:55):
And it's a beautiful thingbecause while we're in Syracuse
as our central location here incentral New York, we go all over
because we want to spread hopeto people.
There is another option that canhelp you or a loved one get
through this kind of thing.
SPEAKER_02 (15:09):
Let me ask you if somebody's listening to this or
they're watching this online,um, and they know somebody that
is having some issues.
SPEAKER_03 (15:17):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (15:18):
Uh, somebody that's addicted, going through
addiction.
We know that that's that's anillness.
SPEAKER_03 (15:23):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (15:24):
Um, what should they or how how can they can they
reach out to you and say, um, Iknow this certain individual,
uh, I know for a fact this iswhat's going on.
Is there a way that you canhelp?
SPEAKER_03 (15:37):
Absolutely.
So there's there's manydifferent avenues, but the
biggest thing is checking outour website.
So we have Buffalo, Syracuse,and Rochester for different
centers.
Okay.
Um, for men.
Um, we have our phone number umas well.
You can give us a call.
Um, social media is a great waytoo to check in because um, so
Syracuse Adolenteen Challenge,Facebook, Instagram.
(15:58):
We post testimonies, we postwhere we're gonna be.
The best way to find out aboutthe program is talking to the
guys that have gone through itor in it, you know, because
because we'll keep it real, youknow, because this is the
hardest thing that I've everdone in my life, but it's been
the best thing that I've everdone in my life.
Absolutely.
So people can call in.
Um, we are a residentialprogram, so people come in and
(16:19):
they spend a year of their lifethere.
Um, but with that being said,insurance isn't needed, right?
Um, finances, if that's anissue, it's not gonna be an
issue for us.
We want to welcome people in.
SPEAKER_02 (16:29):
You make it work.
SPEAKER_03 (16:30):
We are a we are a nonprofit.
People's generosity has beenwhat's been helping keep us in
Syracuse for the 70s, and andit's a beautiful thing.
Um, and our cutting boards helppave the way for people to come
in.
SPEAKER_02 (16:44):
Uh, Brian, is there a way?
First of all, what is thewebsite?
SPEAKER_03 (16:47):
Yeah, so we have New York Adult and Teen Challenge.
You'll see the differentcenters.
SPEAKER_02 (16:51):
Okay.
SPEAKER_03 (16:51):
Um, where you can be able to check it out.
Um, we'll have our information.
You can call us.
You can I manage our Facebook.
You can message me on Facebook.
We'll send over a quick littleapplication just to get to know
you more um because we want tofind out what drugs are you
coming off of, what kind ofmental health struggles are you
going through so we can meetpeople where they're at.
SPEAKER_02 (17:12):
Okay.
And what if you have to commitfor one year?
SPEAKER_03 (17:15):
The the thing is, is at the end of the day, we all
have free will.
Okay, we all have free will, butthe thing is there's power and
completing.
Yes, I personally went throughthis 11 months in the program.
I probably could have been goodafter six months, but at the end
of the day, I knew that therewas power and completion.
I ran away from things for mostof my life.
But when I was finally runningtowards something, when I
(17:38):
graduated, it was a beautifulthing to the point where I'm now
serving as staff.
I come in January.
So there's power and completion,and even that we want to make
sure we're coming alongsidepeople, we're creating safe exit
plans for people and helpingthem transition.
So we help people look for jobs,account continued accountability
after they complete the program.
(17:59):
And it's beautiful, right?
SPEAKER_02 (18:00):
Are there opportunities for volunteers or
ways that viewers or listenerscan get involved?
Can that make a monetary?
Can they they go to the websiteand click on the and make a tax
deductible donation?
SPEAKER_03 (18:12):
There's so many different avenues.
If you want to do a one-timepledge, you can do it on our
website.
We post on Facebook where we'regoing to be with our boards, so
you can check out our boards.
We even have recurring umsponsorships for a dollar a day.
Even a dollar a day can helpsomeone come in and get help.
Um, we have different events andstuff like that.
So if you're a business and youwant to promote your event or
(18:33):
your business, we have ourbanquet coming up in November.
It's our big fundraising eventof the year.
Nice.
You can reach out to me on oursocial media or even email
SyracuseInfo at Nytc.com andcome alongside us.
The best way to really see whatour program's about is
witnessing it.
(18:53):
Coming to our banquet.
Coming, we have a graduation inOctober where all the centers in
New York are coming together.
SPEAKER_02 (18:59):
I want to be there.
I'm just telling you becausewe're getting to know and know
each other here.
I would love to come out andhelp you with this.
SPEAKER_03 (19:04):
Beautiful event.
Um, our and all the details areonline.
Yes, all the details are our I'mpromoting everything on our
Facebook page.
Sweet.
You can message or email anyquestions.
SPEAKER_02 (19:13):
You know, before we talk to Kyle, how has uh the
community right here in centralNew York responded to your
mission?
Dan?
SPEAKER_01 (19:22):
You know, there's a lot of places that come
alongside of us and help withdifferent food that's necessary.
You know, we got a bunch ofguys, they need to be fed, you
know.
Uh, you know, what's cool islike Brian was saying with the
Syracuse Mets, they allow us todo concessions.
And I want the one thing that wedo have is manpower, and we have
you know accountability and wehave structure.
So guys have developed a reallygood work ethic.
(19:44):
So a lot of people will hire usto do different jobs, whether
it's been landscaping,carpentry.
Uh Amazon has a has a contractwith us where they'll take guys
in that have been graduated theprogram, they'll hire them.
You know, what's good is is welike to see guys with their
ongoing success and get peopleout to be a productive member of
society, you know, post-program.
(20:05):
You know, a lot of those peoplestay involved with the
organization because of how muchtheir life has transitioned
since you know they had come inand they know what it's like.
So the community is you know howwe survive, and it's cool to see
the different things that havebrought funds into our
organization.
SPEAKER_02 (20:19):
And we're so lucky to have a lot of these
organizations that embrace orcompanies that will embrace, you
know, like the adult teenchallenge and what have you.
SPEAKER_03 (20:27):
So that's and everything helps, nothing's too
small.
You know, everything we havepeople that just drop things off
for us, clothing because some ofthe men and women that walk in,
they literally walk in with theclothes on their backs.
SPEAKER_01 (20:38):
That's it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:39):
So everything is a huge help because at the end of
the day, it's because people seethe success in our success rate.
78 people that graduate don'tuse within three years.
God, that's awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (20:49):
It is, it's that's a big that's a great number when
you think about it.
SPEAKER_03 (20:52):
Yeah, because we look at beyond the program.
SPEAKER_02 (20:54):
Yes, that people have when you say people drop
things off.
Where do they do that?
SPEAKER_03 (20:58):
So we our men's program is on Furman Street, and
our women's programs onColomber.
Arrange something, you know.
That's the best thing to do, isto reach out and arrange
something.
Can they call?
They can call.
Somebody's gonna answer.
And Facebook Messenger is alwaysa great.
I get a lot on FacebookMessenger, pretty simple.
Um, you know, but but and we'lltalk it through because we do
(21:19):
get overabundance of things, butthat's where what's so great
about being a community.
We also know other people toothat need help, you know.
So we want to make sure we'recoming together as a community
because we can accomplish somuch more.
SPEAKER_02 (21:30):
I love that.
I'd like to take a few minutesif we could talk to Kyle, who's
off camera right now.
I don't know.
Is he yes?
SPEAKER_03 (21:37):
We'll swap out.
Yeah, okay.
SPEAKER_02 (21:38):
There you go.
Get out of here, Dan.
I'm Dan, you're awesome, by theway.
Thank you, sir.
Watch your step, watch my cord.
There we go.
We're bringing Kyle in.
We only have a three-seat studiohere.
We're kind of the heat's turnedup, so we're all sweating, and
it's uh it's crazy.
We all dress for the coolerweather today.
But uh Kyle, uh, what's yourlast name?
Copeland.
Copeland.
(21:59):
Kyle, uh, how long have you beenwith the adult teen challenge?
SPEAKER_00 (22:03):
I've been in the program for six months.
SPEAKER_02 (22:05):
Okay, and what got you there?
SPEAKER_00 (22:07):
So a series of of events in my life and and trauma
and and pain and suffering.
Um I was married in 2007, joinedthe Air Force in 2009, and in
2013 I was deployed toAfghanistan.
I was exposed to uh toxicmaterials that uh developed
polyps in my sinuses.
And in 2016, I went in forsurgery to get those removed.
(22:30):
And during the surgery, thedoctor drilled through my
frontal lobe um a centimeterinto my brain and hit an artery
and uh nearly killed me.
My wife was a nurse, so she wasshe was present and and able to.
They sent me home after thesurgery, and she was she was
with me through the night.
I went into a full-on uhseizure.
Oh my god.
She got me into the hospital,and by God's grace, I I lived
(22:52):
through it.
I was uh one month in theneurocritical care unit, uh
draining the fluid off my brainuh through my spine or spinal
attack.
Oh my lord.
And uh it just turned our lifeupside down.
Um, and uh so I wasn't able tocontinue in the in the military.
I did eight years, five yearsactive, three years guard.
I got out in 2018 as a result ofthe brain injury.
(23:13):
Um, and then, you know, to makeup for lost time, uh, we decided
that uh once I finally got to apoint of recovery where I could
I could function a little bit.
Um, my wife and I, we had fourkids.
I was gone a lot in themilitary.
I was got a lot with the braininjury.
We went through a lot togetheras a family through all that.
And uh, we decided to convert anRV or a bus into an R V and
(23:34):
travel full time.
So we did that in 2021 for sixmonths, and it ended uh in
southern Utah where our buscaught on fire.
SPEAKER_01 (23:43):
Oh my!
SPEAKER_00 (23:44):
And um two of my kids were trapped on board.
I ran running inside and uh wasable, by God's grace, to get
them.
My son climbed out through awindow.
My youngest daughter was able toget out, and uh, so my oldest
and my youngest were trapped.
And uh by God's grace, I wasable to get them out.
I have burns on my face andhands from it.
My children were burnt severely.
(24:05):
My oldest was 60% burnt, and myyoungest was 25% burnt.
We went through eight months ofuh skin grafts and surgeries.
Uh, my my oldest, her name'sPepper.
Um, she's 15 now.
Uh we all survived by God'sgrace.
Her her um her heart stopped for10 minutes on the life flight to
the hospital.
Oh my god, and the EMTs pumpedher heart and she was revived.
(24:28):
Um, she's gone through over 60surgeries, blood transfusions,
skin grafts, the works.
My my family has been throughcomplete and utter breakdown in
uh in our life and and sufferingand pain.
And it was a lack of life skillsand and the trauma and the pain
(24:49):
and the suffering that really Ididn't I didn't have any skills
to manage all that.
I I it was crushing me.
SPEAKER_02 (24:56):
I don't know how you did it.
SPEAKER_00 (24:58):
Well, I I turned alcohol at first and and and
tried to suppress all of thoseemotions and suppress the pain
and and and marijuana and andall sorts of things, just trying
in my own way because I had noother way to do it and in and
life started falling apart evenmore.
And and uh, you know, two yearsago, um, I I learned about
(25:20):
Jesus.
I learned about the gospel andand the gospel of grace, and
that that I didn't have to bestrong enough to manage it.
I can just I can just surrenderand God would take care of us.
And he has.
He's taken care of my kids, he'she's brought them to a place in
their life where they're coveredin scars, but they're full of
life.
And he's healed the inner scarsin me, and my wife, and all four
(25:41):
of my kids, because the two thatthat weren't burnt were still
traumatized.
It's it's incredibly possible.
So God has done a wonderful workin our life, and and uh, you
know, I just I I I didn't havethe life skills, and that's what
Teen Challenge is teaching me isthrough the counseling, through
the structure, through thedisciplines of this program, I'm
learning how to live life andhave the life skills to manage
(26:04):
my emotions, to feel what I'msupposed to, you know, what I'm
feeling, and uh, and and notturn to the substances to fill
me, but to turn to God to fillme and to fill my family and to
hear us.
So that's that's what I went touh the VA Center here in
Syracuse.
I was uh I was in the inpatientpsych ward there, and the
(26:25):
chaplain at the the the VAcenter um introduced me to Teen
Challenge because he had workedfor them for seven years and uh
and said this might be somethingyou're interested in.
And and by God's grace, I walkedthrough the doors and it has
been a tremendous blessing forme, my my wife, my kids, and uh,
and he's doing a great workthrough it.
(26:45):
So I praise God.
SPEAKER_02 (26:46):
Kyle, um I'm never speechless, and I do these I oh
my god, I it's just it's veryhard to conduct an interview
after hearing that.
And go ahead.
SPEAKER_03 (27:01):
Yeah, and and I remember the day Kyle walked in,
um, and his family brought himthere, and it's you could see
the hurt, you could see thebrokenness, you know, you could
see the uncertainty, but youcould see also the hope, you
know, because it is a big leapof faith to walk through those
doors, you know.
And and I did it when I had kidstoo, and it's it's you know, and
and it's beautiful to see howGod's been moving in his life
(27:24):
over the six months, you know.
And one of the biggest thingsthat we we hear from people, you
know, being a faith-basedprogram, what if you don't have
a relationship?
What happens if you don't knowwhat you believe?
And to that we say, just if it'swhich is not unusual, it's not
unusual, and it's a greatquestion because trauma in life
can cause you to wonder, right?
But at the end of the day, comeand see.
(27:46):
Come and see because if you'reat your wit's end, give it a
shot, give it a shot and seebecause it could be the
breakthrough that you need notonly for yourself but for your
loved ones, and it's beautiful.
SPEAKER_02 (28:00):
It is Kyle, what's a day like for you right now?
I mean, you're going throughthis and you're six months in,
but tell me about what is a daylike for you.
We wake up.
SPEAKER_00 (28:13):
We wake up at six every day, and we go to bed at
10 every day, and we're workingall the way through it.
And to be honest with you, it'sit's more than than I ever
thought I was capable of doing.
And that's what's so great aboutthe program is it's it's pushing
me, but there's grace when Ifall flat on my face, and and
also to help us through the day.
So we're we're getting up in themorning, we're doing chores,
(28:35):
we're we're we're workingtogether to to make our meals.
We uh we go in and we have Biblestudy and and chapel together.
Um, we do more chores, and thenuh messy, but it's all good.
It's all wonderful, and we woulddo work details in the
afternoon.
Um, and uh it really is to behonest with you, one of the
greatest things I've I'veenjoyed with the program is the
(28:57):
brotherhood and the fellowship.
SPEAKER_02 (28:59):
With the I can see it right here with the three of
you.
It's like you got three threeindividuals in this room with me
right now.
All three are different in theirown way, yeah, but yet you're
all together.
Y'all love each other, y'allmake it work, y'all know what
each other has experienced,yeah, and you're there to
support each other regardless.
And Kyle, if I may ask, uhsomebody that's six months into
(29:19):
the program, somebody's that'swatching this, somebody that's
listening to this, uh, whatcould you tell them right now if
they uh maybe they're addictedor they've been through some
sort of trauma, uh, sometraumatic event.
What what would you like to tellthem right now?
SPEAKER_00 (29:36):
To those individuals that are that are facing the end
of themselves that don't knowwhat what to do and are are
truly broken, um there ishealing, there is hope, uh,
there is a way forward.
And and team challenge has beenthat for me.
Uh it's it's really it it's I'mI'm blessed, I'm a blessed man.
And I would encourage them toreach out knowing.
(30:00):
That there is hope and there isthere is the possibility of
recovery.
There you can heal, uh, you canlearn how to manage and deal and
and process the the trauma andthe pain that you've gone
through.
And uh and it it there is hopefor anybody that that is, and
it's not just addictionrecovery, it's homelessness,
it's abandonment, it's abuse,it's trauma, it's pain.
(30:22):
If you've gone through that andany life-controlling issue that
you can't in your own strengthovercome, and you know it, then
teen challenge provides thestrength.
SPEAKER_02 (30:32):
Well, hopefully you heard that.
Yes, you know what I mean.
Um such an honor, a pleasure tohave all three of you here, um,
just with me today.
I did not know what to expect.
I knew I was doing theinterview.
Uh, these are things, uh, theseare organizations such as the
(30:52):
adult teen challenge that ourcommunity needs to hear more
about.
And I firmly believe in today'sworld where it's let's just face
it, it's kind of a scary placeright now.
We don't know what tomorrow'sgonna bring, and everything's
going on, everybody's got theiropinions about certain things,
but you know what?
I think that is uh drivingpeople to do more in the way of
(31:13):
not good.
Does that make sense?
For sure.
Yes, you know what I mean?
So here you are, you're offeringassistance, you're offering to
help out these men and women,you know, because you have the
women's program now, too, um, toget their life back on track.
Yeah, everybody is worthsomething.
Everybody for sure, you know, itdoesn't matter who you are,
everybody is worth something.
(31:34):
And I Kyle, um, just your story,uh being in the Air Force number
one.
Thank you for your service.
Um, I'm a big fan of the AirForce because I I love planes, I
love anything to do with that.
Did you jump out of a plane?
SPEAKER_00 (31:48):
Uh, not in the air force.
I have in the past.
Oh, okay.
All right.
I did, I was airborne, I was atactical support operator.
SPEAKER_02 (31:54):
Oh, okay, which is wow.
What is that?
What's that position?
SPEAKER_00 (31:57):
I did uh signals intelligence.
Oh, okay, okay.
SPEAKER_02 (31:59):
Yeah, they're down there.
Yeah, that's basicallycoordinates.
No, I know, I get you.
But uh thank you for yourservice.
Thank you for being such astrong man and um a loving
father and your wife, the familysticking by you all the way,
even in your you know, the truethe trauma is one thing, and I
don't I I don't know how you didit.
(32:21):
Well, you told me how you didit, but that wasn't the answer.
This is the answer of gettingthrough it all, turning towards
God and faith and seeing whatyou know what you're really
worth.
God bless you, my friend.
Thank you.
Um, if someone wants to learnmore, get involved, or seek
help, uh, what's the best way toreach out?
SPEAKER_03 (32:38):
The best way to reach out, um, is is I mean,
social media, I love socialmedia just because we show those
real-time things that we'redoing.
I mean, we just for example, wethe the the the women's program
Wednesday night was at a storein Watertown, you know, like we
go all over.
You're if you haven't alreadyseen us, most likely keep an eye
out for us because we're allover the place.
(32:59):
We divide and conquer.
Ask the questions, give us acall.
Um, because we our our intake,our intake team, they want to
help you.
They want to help you.
But the biggest thing is yougotta want it.
SPEAKER_02 (33:12):
And all that information with the number, the
email, all that, just go to thewebsite and they have a link
tree right there.
SPEAKER_03 (33:18):
So, yeah, new York Adon Teen Challenge uh.com,
Syracuse Adon Teen Challenge forour Facebook page.
I'd give you the number, but I'mterrible at giving numbers off
the top.
Because nobody's gonna rememberit like this.
SPEAKER_02 (33:30):
They need to look it up, but they'll remember the
website, yes, or do a search onsocial media or use Google,
whatever you need to do,whatever search engine you use,
and I'm sure it's gonna come up.
SPEAKER_03 (33:39):
Because, like I said, come and see for yourself,
it's powerful.
We got next Friday is ourgraduation in Syracuse.
Uh, November 14th is ourbanquet.
And again, come and witness it.
You know, if you can support, ifyou feel led to do so, please
do.
But at the end of the day, if ifif while we're talking to
someone here and we're reallygrateful for this opportunity,
(34:00):
if while we're talking oneperson here and needs help, this
is huge.
So if you are struggling or aloved one is struggling, reach
out to us and let's see what wecan do to get you the help you
need to do.
SPEAKER_02 (34:12):
And you better behave at a Bills game because
I'm just saying Dan's gonna comeover and kick some buttons.
SPEAKER_03 (34:18):
Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_02 (34:19):
Don't want to mess with Dan.
Has he taken any of you to aBills game?
No problem.
SPEAKER_03 (34:24):
Well, it's so cool because they just they love what
we do because like Dan wassaying, the people in the
program, they have a they'rethey're building up a good work
ethic, so they keep us alltogether, they respect what we
do, so they keep us alltogether.
So we'll send 30 to 40 people tothese games.
SPEAKER_02 (34:38):
I'll look for I mean it's not baseball season right
now, but with the the SyracuseMets, I work at the stadium.
Yeah, I'm one of theirannouncers, so it's um yeah,
I'll have to look for you guys.
SPEAKER_03 (34:48):
Yeah, we were at Faith and Family Day.
I got up and spoke at Faith andFamily Day.
Yes, so we go everywhere.
I mean, we were the cuttingboards has been huge for us
because we were at the New YorkState Fair this year, yes, which
was a beautiful opportunity.
We're at Harbor Fest in us.
We go, you know, we go nowheretoo big, nowhere too small.
We want to get everywhere.
SPEAKER_02 (35:07):
I love it.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for the first time.
The adult teen challenge, allthree of you.
Of course, Brian and Dan andKyle, um, all different aspects
of the organization, threedifferent people, but you've all
come together.
Thank you so much for beinghere, being a part of the Inner
Harbor Cast, uh, the podcast,and thank you for listening to.
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