Questions remain about closing of Teen Challenge in Jasper County

JASPER COUNTY - by Steve Stewart/KJAS - A surprise announcement this week that the local campus of Teen Challenge will be closing has left several local pastors stunned, and many unanswered questions regarding money and property issues.

Teen Challenge is an evangelical Christian ministry, featuring a 13 month program that serves teenage drug addicts, alcoholics, gang members, prostitutes, and those with other problems. The organization opened a location in Jasper last year on land donated by Pat Chance.

A meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the local Teen Challenge location on Private Road 8002 in northeast Jasper County. In that meeting, Teen Challenge of Texas President Greg Fleck faced tough questions from supporters of the organization, as well as local government officials who are concerned with the loss of both the program, and the investment that they have made.

Fleck said the Jasper location required up to $25,000.00 per month to operate, and 14% of that amount went straight to the Texas headquarters in San Antonio. According to Fleck, the Jasper location brought in a profit of $4,000.00 in October, and lost approximately $13,500.00 in September.

Fleck said income is made through support from area churches, local donations, and from fundraising efforts by the teens in the program.

Teen Challenge volunteer Gay Gaston questioned Fleck as to why it took so much money to run the small operation. Fleck had no immediate answer on where the money goes, and he again emphasized that the corporate office gets their share, and the rest stays local. At the urging of several pastors at the meeting, Fleck said that he would allow them to see the books.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen, and Sheriff Mitchel Newman attended the meeting and expressed their concerns to Fleck. Judge Allen pointed out that Jasper County has donated money and materials to the organization, and he has also sent three youths to the center after they appeared in his courtroom.

Sheriff Newman echoed those sentiments, noting that many families need help with wayward teens and they have nowhere to turn. Newman said he did not want to see the location closed down.

Another question is what happens to the land that was donated at a reduced cost by local resident, Pat Chance. According to the Jasper County Appraisal District, the 11.5 acres of land and buildings had an appraised value of $42,096.00 as of October. 

During the meeting, Fleck first mentioned that the property would be sold for a profit; however, he later reversed course while being questioned and said that it was not his intention to sell the property.

As of Tuesday night, Fleck said that three teenagers would be loaded onto vans and taken to another campus location, and the remaining teens would leave on Monday. Fleck said a few staff members would stay at the property for the time being, but effective Monday, the place would be shut down.