When Meriden resident Clayton Hutcherson was just 15 years old, he was living in Texas with his father, he was homeless and he was addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The whole way that I was living was just broken," he said.
Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon: The now 19 year-old is standing outside of a Dunkin Donuts on Long Ridge Road politely asking residents that are passing by to help him help others who are in a similar situation.
Hutcherson's mother saw a table just like the one he's standing in front in Meridan where she learned about New Haven-based Teen Challenge New England, which supports young men with addiction problems through a faith-based program. She urged her son to attend and one year and two days later, Hutcherson is clean and sober.
"This program changed my whole outlook on life," he said. "I always had a void I was trying to fill and now I don't have that void anymore."
Teen Challenge New England relies solely on donations to fund each member's intake fee, which is $750. The 100-plus members split into teams and set up tables at different spots everyday around the state. The members also visit churches around the state to sing songs and share their stories.
Hutcherson says he hopes to remain with the program as a counselor after his two-year treatment program ends.
"And after I work for the program for a couple of years, I want to become a youth pastor and do mission trips," he said. "I want to show kids that are like me that they can do what I did. I hit rock bottom and now I'm here. I want to share my testimony."
For more information about Teen Challenge New England, visit http://www.tcnewengland.org
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