After reading so many post I felt I had to respond.
First of all, most of the clients at Teen Challenge are there because they have tried and failed at many other forms of recovery. Usally Teen Challenge is a "last resort". Other treatment facilities cost thousands of dollars and last only a month or two, whereas Teen Challenge is a long term theraputic community, and the cost is miniumum to the client. Of course they are raising money at all times. How do you think they remain in operation? They do not recieve insurance and rely mostly on donations. You try and run a program like that. It's not easy.
The couselors are paid at a very low level. They are generally working there because they either have gone through addition themselves or are willing to sacrifice to help additions overcome.
Is it a perfect program? No, there are quite a few things that could change. But when former clients critize the program becasue it is religious in nature that seem rididuous. Or that you have to work while there, that is also ridiculous. So many men were homeless, or in jail, or without the support of family or friends by the time they arrived at TC. Dont through out the baby with the bath water.