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History

Our Story

Teen Challenge’s Springboard Home for Girls is a 3-6 month residential shelter for girls ages 12-17 and is licensed through the Arizona Department of Child Safety. Springboard’s doors opened in October of 1976 as a non-profit, temporary shelter care home, after Rev. Snow Peabody, the Executive State Director for Teen Challenge AZ, saw a need to reach out and help teens in crisis. Since that time, thousands of young ladies have gone through Springboard Home.

Teen Challenge began in 1958 when Rev. David Wilkerson, author of “The Cross and the Switchblade”, went to New York to reach teenage gang members with God’s love. There in the heart of the big city slums, Teen Challenge was born. Now there are over 1,000 Teen Challenge centers in 90 countries, helping not only teens, but also adults with life-controlling problems, mainly in the area of drug and alcohol use. Presently, in the State of Arizona, there are three adult men’s facilities, one women’s center with children and one center for adolescent girls, Springboard.

At Springboard, we aim to intentionally create an environment of love, grace, compassion, kindness, and peace. Our focus every day is on the lasting transformation of hearts, attitudes, thoughts, habits, and character. During our students’ 3-6 month stay, our goal is to see our students equipped for their maximum potential in their individual cultures at home and in the world.

Our Mission

We exist to help young ladies become mentally stable, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive!

About Us

Meet the Team

Rev. Candace Mayer

Director

Candace is a pastor credentialed with the Assemblies of God and is a Licensed Social Worker (LMSW). She has experience working with individuals in various aspects of mental health for the last eight years.  She is a mother to three teenagers.

Patti Conner

Intake Coordinator/Center Supervisor

Patti has served as PR coordinator at Springboard since 2018 and recently switched over to her new position. She has extensive experience in the food and event industry, as well as directing pregnancy centers. She has been a part of children’s and teen ministries for over 20 years and has been serving as a Youth Leader at her current church for over 8 years now. She has a special place in her heart for young people because of her own experiences. She is responsible for assisting the Center Director in keeping Springboard running and bringing in new girls who need to be in our program. 

Alicia Suarez

Biblical Counselor

Alicia has worked in a variety of youth programs ranging from camps, homeless shelters, and residential treatment centers for almost 15 years. She currently serves as one of our Biblical Counselors and oversees different aspects of the Springboard program.

Bryanna Vejar

Biblical Counselor

Bryanna has worked with children for 4 years and has been serving in the children’s ministry at her church for 6 years. She has served at her church’s youth ministry for the past year and is currently one of the high school and college girls’ community leaders. She has developed a passion for assisting young girls in their healing process motivated by the assistance she received from her youth pastors and leaders through her own healing journey.

Tove Hanna

Public Relations

Tove has worked with kids and teens for 11 years serving in the local church. She completed three years of a ministry internship and graduated with her Associates Degree in Ministerial Leadership from Southeastern University. She assists in social media and donor development. She is also ahead of all Springboard events. Her heart is to see young women experience healing and wholeness through the power of Jesus.

Katrina Wisz

Curriculum Coordinator/Teacher

Katrina can relate to the girls on a personal level as her story was very similar to most of the girls we minister to. She has experienced healing in her own life and is passionate about helping the girls know their true identity in Christ. Katrina’s mission is to use her past as an encouragement for their future.

Julie West

Houseparent

Julie retired from Corporate Business after 45+ years to be more available to serve God. She joined Springboard in early 2023 as an overnight house parent. In Jesus, Julie has experienced emotional and physical healing with God’s ever-present unconditional love and amazing faithfulness. Julie wholeheartedly supports Springboard’s mission and is blessed to be part of the team to help the girls experience emotional, social, and physical healing at a young age so they can live their God-given destinies and purposes.

Arcelia Denogean

Boutique Manager

Arcelia has lived in Tucson Arizona her whole life. She lives with her family and wonderful dog Gizmo. She has worked in retail for three years now. Arcelia has a huge passion for all things fashion and the Lord. She cannot wait to grow in her position at the boutique and is very excited about all the new things to come!

Paulina Barreras

Boutique Assistant Manager

Paulina has served in ministry for over 8 years, working with children and teens in her local church. She also spent 2 years working as a biblical counselor with Springboard in the past, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges through faith and biblical guidance. Currently, she works as an assistant manager at our Blessingdales thrift store and as the administrator at her church. Her passion for serving others and building meaningful relationships continues to guide both her professional and ministry work.

Franky Hill

House Parent

Franky is a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 2. She has been married to her sweetheart for 26 years. She has 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 horse. She enjoys the outdoors and spending time together as a family.

Janelle Choe

House Parent

“Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” — Ezekiel 47:12

Inspired by Ezekiel 47:12, Janelle is committed to living a life deeply rooted in God’s presence, bearing fruit that blesses others and reflecting His compassion, grace, and truth. Having recently graduated with a master’s degree in Theology, she continues her education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at DTS, integrating biblical truth with compassionate care. She desires to be a vessel through whom God brings hope, healing, and restoration, allowing His love to nourish weary hearts and His Spirit to renew lives.

Carly Cantos

House Parent

Carly was born and raised in Orange County, California. She moved to Tucson in January 2023 to pursue her education at the University of Arizona. She recently graduated in May of 2026 with her degree in Leadership and Learning Innovation with a minor in Special Education and Rehabilitation. She is passionate about the Lord and showing others the love of Christ. She serves at her church on the Welcome Team and is starting to serve with the Middle School and High School ministry as well. She has a heart for the younger generation and really enjoys watching their faith grow as they grow in age. She is super grateful for this opportunity and sees this as her plan from God. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

Volunteers

Ladies Guild

We have a Ladies’ Guild at Springboard Home that consists of a group of volunteers who help us plan and host events and work at Springboard. They bring dinner and hang out with our students at least once a month and many volunteer to do crafts, PE, or game nights with them.

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Contact Springboard Home

  • PO Box 69966
    Tucson, AZ 85737
  • (520) 887-8786 (Fax)

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