Teen Challenge Arizona

Doug Coats is the Director of Phoenix Men’s Center, from Teen Challenge Arizona. Teen Challenge provides youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian Faith-based solution to life-controlling problems to become productive members of society. Teen Challenge of Arizona endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually alive.

Teen Challenge Arizona: https://tcaz.org/

Thank you to Teen Challenge Arizona students for Sharing your Testimonies:

Samuel is from Mesa, Arizona. He is 28 years old. He says, "The Lord has transformed me through renewing my mind in His word. From being an ex-addict, alcoholic, homosexual/transexual to a child of God, almost a man of God, once I finish Teen Challenge."

Karl is originally from Minnesota. He is 32 years old. He says, "The Lord has transformed me through removing the doubt that an addiction-free life is possible, and that Jesus died for me. I, no longer have to carry the guilt, shame, and condemnation myself."

Virgel is a student at Teen Challenge Arizona.

Teen Challenge Arizona: https://tcaz.org/

ABOUT

Damara Melissa is a singer-songwriter from Ontario Canada whose music is driven by her faith. Her soulful voice mixed with her pop melodies and style, bring a unique vibe to the Contemporary Christian Music space. After breaking into Christian Music with a single in 2020, Damara has now released her first short album, "Beginnings," which documented her journey through some painful experiences in 2020 – and she is currently working on her second EP “The Space Between”. She hopes to bring both encouragement and healing to others through her songs and point believers back to God’s faithfulness through every aspect of our lives.

BACKGROUND

Damara was born into a Caribbean home where reggae, rock, and many other kinds of music were enjoyed. However, growing up in a suburb of Toronto, she quickly grew to love the pop music that characterized most of her friends' music tastes. While music was always a deep love and source of joy, Damara only started desiring to write songs after her dad passed away in 2006. For the most part, she remained a closet songwriter until 2020, when she could no longer deny the call on her life to encourage others through song.

DISCOGRAPHY

Damara showcased her budding talent as a songwriter with her first release “A New Day” in August 2020. After which, she committed to growth in all areas of her artistry, and released another single “Burdens” in January 2021. After receiving tremendous support for "Burdens" Damara began working on an EP of songs she had written in 2020 as well as a cover mashup tribute to her father. “BRAVE” kicked off her EP, releasing as a single in July 2021 and the cover mashup of “As the Deer” and “His eye is on the Sparrow” released in August 2021. Damara's full EP released on February 25th, 2022 which included additional songs: "Invisible," "Where I Want to be," "Rise Above".

“Holy of Holies” were released March 3, 2023, and April 28th , 2023 respectively. Both songs were well received by fans and listeners.

MILESTONES

While Damara is still fairly new to the Christian Music scene, she has received over 1M streams on Spotify for her music collection. Three of her songs have received airplay on multiple Canadian Christian Radio stations, “Where I Wanna Be” even making it onto Joy Radio’s top 20 Canadian music list. Damara also received a Covenant Award Nomination for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” in 2022, and a second nomination for Pop Song of the Year for “Don’t Give Up Now” in 2023.

WHAT'S NEXT

The first song off of Damara’s second EP “The Space Between” is set to release June 7th! As she begins to release some songs this summer, Damara is continuing to work with her producer to bring the last 3 EP songs to life. She hopes to have the entire short album released by fall of 2024.