TEEN CHALLENGE GETS PRIVATE BOOST

An Abbotsford survey company - which wants to remain anonymous - has agreed
to come to the aid of B.C. Teen Challenge and its bid to rehabilitate women
addicts.

B.C. Teen Challenge has applied to rezone property at 4131 Lakemount Rd. -
with an existing single-family home - for a rehabilitation centre that
would house up to 12 women, taking them off the streets of Abbotsford where
they work as prostitutes to feed a drug habit.

In December the proposal was lauded by the Abbotsford Downtown Business
Association, which told council it "addresses our concern for the addict by
moving them to property outside of town."

However, if council was to support the application, planner Geri Boyle said
$8,000 is needed for legal surveys - money most councillors feel the city
cannot afford in lean financial times, and in light of council's decision
to eventually eliminate all grants.

While the concept is worthwhile, it is beyond the city's mandate to fund it
with a grant, Coun. Bruce Beck recently told the Abbotsford News.

The survey company has "shown interest in wanting to do it pro bono," said
Rev. Barry Beger of Teen Challenge, "but they don't want to be identified."

Other groups and individuals have expressed interest in helping out the
group, after a story on their treatment home proposal on Lakemount was
featured in the Abbotsford News. A similar program for addicted men is
operating in Yarrow, said Berger.

Berger is confident that as a "faith-based organization," the power of
prayer will see them through.

"We don't have that (the $8,000) in our budget, but we would never let the
place die because of that," he said this week.

They plan to move the first resident into the house by March 15.

Even though council voted not to grant them the money, Berger has nothing
but praise for the city's efforts.

"They've gone out of their way to get us in there. I have no beef with the
city whatsoever."

B.C. Teen Challenge can be reached at 604-823-0133.