By Marilyn Miller
Minden’s “Generation House” is trying to get the word out…the word about its faith-based mission…about its people…about its duty to serve others…about its location on Fuller Street (formerly used as the United Christian Home). The best way to define the Generation House is to start at the beginning…
Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge is a faith-based residential program for individuals struggling with addiction and life-controlling issues. It offers short and long-term treatment services that take a holistic approach, addressing the mind, body, and spirit to help individuals achieve stability in all areas of their lives and restore their relationships.
There are different program lengths, including a 90-day short-term program with the option to transition to the traditional program, there is 12 months of long-term care (traditional program), there is six months of optional aftercare, there are 18 months total required for graduation.
“Generation House is a transitional home,” says director Angela Wallace, who also sits on the Board of Directors of the optional aftercare program. “We’re that little bit of safety bubble during which time you can make mistakes and learn how to handle them.”
The eight-woman (and their children) household is centered around a spiritual family. “I don’t have parents, so I was given a spiritual parent,” Angela explained. “Most of the residents are from this area. You have to be 18 or older to come out of Teen Challenge…right now there is a lady working for Teen Challenge who is 67 years old.”
Angela graduated from Adult & Teen Challenge five years ago. “I did 18 months with Teen Challenge,” she explained, “going through the four-month induction phase in Winnfield, and following up with a six-month internship running the thrift store for Teen Challenge there.” She is engaged to Chad Wallace, and has two children, Hunter Nutt, 21, and Destiny Butler, 24.
Today, Angela is employed by Jodie Martin at Geaux Fresh, who explained that the name “Generation House” reflects upon the breaking out of the molds of the generations of families who have allowed non-Christlike issues to control their lives. “As long as they are at Generation House, I am going to make a place for them at Geaux Fresh.”
While living at Generation House, the women are involved with the Joe LeBlanc Food Ministry, the Women’s Prison Ministry (fourth floor correctional facility at the Webster Parish Courthouse), where they deliver a message and testimonies; and ministering to Teen Challenge at its Family Center in Minden (Evergreen community).
The 12-person Board of Directors for Generation House also includes Travis Lange, president; Serena Gray, vice president; Matthew Morgan, treasurer; Emily Lee, secretary; Chris Lewis, Emily Hunt, Katie Lange, Tyler Adams, and Jeremy Upthall.
“We need to bring awareness to Generation House, a non-profit that strictly works from donations,” Angela said. “At least 20 young women have been through the program to-date.”
If you want to help Generation House, send donations to 102 Fuller Street, Minden LA 71055 or use Pay Pal via the QR code below:
