UC’s Teen And Adult Challenge Expanding Their Campus

Overton’s Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland is expanding their campus this summer with a new multipurpose building.

Executive Director Tim McLauchlin said the 5,700 sq. foot building will include a commercial kitchen, a two bedroom apartment and seat around 200 people. Currently, the organization feeds around 35 people out of a residential kitchen and can only seat around 75 people in their chapel.

“This multipurpose building is a key component to helping us with the growth of this campus, so we can have proper facilities to feed everybody and proper facilities to meet with everybody,” McLauchlin said.

McLauchlin said construction has started, but they are waiting for the final approval of the fire marshal to get the grade ready and pour concrete.
The initial cost of the project was $800,000 but McLauchlin said the cost has decreased with multiple contributors donating raw materials for construction. An exact estimate of cost is unknown at this time.

“We’ve got a plan that we put into place back in 2012 on how we wanted to develop this 45 acre campus,” McLauchlin said. “We will hold around 50 students as well as 25 staff.”

Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland first started with a five bedroom house and a barn. In 2014, the barn was remodeled into a chapel. In 2018, a new dormitory was built to house 20 residents and staff.

Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland offers a residential recovery program for adult women who want freedom from addiction. Residents actively participate in Bible studies and receive Christian guidance while living in a structured and supportive environment.