Poplarville’s Teen Challenge of Mississippi will sponsor their  first 5K-trail run at Picayune’s Crosby Arboretum in September. 

Intake coordinator Erica Sloan said the race will benefit the women at the center who have no money or family to aid in their completion of the program.

Teen Challenge of Mississippi is a residential ministry for women 18 and older who struggle with life controlling issues, center director Teresa Emswiler said.

“The majority of our students struggle with drug and alcohol addiction,” Emswiler said.

Teen Challenge first opened in 1988 in Pascagoula and moved to the Millard area in 2011.

Emswiler said they have helped about 600 women overcome their battles.

The women are required to commit to one year at the center, Emswiler said.

Daily activity consists of Bible study, character study and work ethics training.

Emswiler said the women stay on the premises and are under close supervision at all times.

They are trained to present ministry for the public, mainly in churches but other venues as well, Emswiler said.

The center’s staff assists the students with the GED process and after one year, if they show leadership ability, they are invited to stay on at the center to take part in an extended training program, Emswiler said.

“We offer lasting change through daily and spiritual disciplines,” Emswiler said.

Twenty-year old Jordan McAlpine of Brandon said she grew up in a broken home.

McAlpine said her teenager years, beginning at the age of 13, were characterized by drinking, sneaking into clubs, prostitution and using pain pills and crack cocaine.

In January of 2013, McAlpine said she contemplated suicide but God spoke to her and she knew she needed a change.

“Here at Teen Challenge, I’ve learned to how to dig and deal with root problems. I rely on God now and not others,” McAlpine said.

McAlpine is currently an intern at the center and teaches a class. She has plans to enroll at the Urban Missions School in Pascagoula and become a medical missionary. After, that she plans to go to nursing school.

40-year old Melissa Copeland of Livingston, Tenn. took prescription pain pills for about 20 years and for the past 10 of those years was taking the pain medications intravenously.

Copeland said that during that time she was in and out of rehabs, jails and hospitals.

Her father suggested Teen Challenge, after which she visited one of the many crisis centers, Copeland said.

“I saw one of the girls and she was so transformed, I knew I had to go there,” Copeland said.

Before joining the center in Pearl River County, Copeland was required to complete a detoxification program at another location.

Copeland, who is the mother of two children, said her family is ecstatic with the changes and she has formed new relationships with family members.

“Before, I felt like I was standing behind my family, now it feels like I’m among them,” Copeland said.

Copeland will graduate from the program in September and said she has been invited to stay on as an intern.

Teen Challenge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the majority of funding comes from individuals and churches, Emswiler said.

Sloan said this is the first year they are hosting a fundraiser.

Sloan said many people love to run, so she was inspired to create this fundraiser to reach people outside of the church.

“The Arboretum is so beautiful and a great place for a trail run,” Sloan said.

Sloan said the center plans to hold the race annually and make it bigger and better each year.

The race is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13 at the Crosby Arboretum, which is located at 370 Ridge Road.

To register for the race, visit www.active.com and search for “Run Baby Run” or 601-795-8063.

Registration before Aug. 1 is $25. After that date registration will be $30.

Learn more about Teen Challenge at www.teenchallengemswomen.com.