Connections

By Tim Culbreth, Director of Teen Challenge of Arkansas in Hot Springs Village, AR

April 25th Teen Challenge of Arkansas in Hot Springs Village was badly damaged by tornados that moved through the area.

Today, the daily routine of the students and functions are back to normal. Classes are running on schedule and our work detail program is up and running again. The multi-purpose building (classroom, dorm, and dining area) which suffered damage to the roof — but is still functional — is scheduled for repairs.

Looking for anything to salvage from the destruction

The building that housed our administration offices and Vintage Mall resale shop was completely destroyed, along with two mobile homes. The demolition of the building and the mobile homes has been completed for quite some time, and we have mapped out plans with an architect for the new building, but we are still tangled with the insurance company and are waiting on settlement instructions.

The estimated loss on the property, inventory, fixtures and supplies is $900,000.00. This does not include the daily loss of revenue from the Vintage Mall, which has been a substantial loss of income for the organization.

The clean-up work on the property surrounding the campus has been considerable. We have cleared away a large amount of debris, but due to the abundance of trees on property, it is going to be a slow process.

In closing, we want to express our gratitude to all the Teen Challenge centers who have come together with an overwhelming amount of concern and generosity.

Students, staff, friends and neighbors work together through the destruction