Florida has an exemption from licensure for churches and nonprofit religious organizations providing substance abuse services that are “solely religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical in nature.” None of the nine rehab centers across Florida operated by the Teen Challenge Southeast Region are licensed substance abuse providers under the state Department of Children and Families. “When I got in there, I was like, ‘Wow, these people are crazy, like this feels like a cult,’” she said. After being open with Teen Challenge staff about liking women, Hevia said they gave her conversion literature and asked her to denounce her sexuality. Hevia said one of the first questions Teen Challenge staff asked her upon arriving was whether she was gay, a stripper or into witchcraft.
“I realized that I needed to get help,” Hevia said.
