As Thanksgiving draws near, the halls of Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC) fill with the comforting scent of turkey, stuffing, and pies baking in the oven. For our students, these meals are more than a holiday tradition. It’s a taste of home. Because here at PAATC, we do our best to create a sense of family and belonging, a place where no one has to feel alone during the holidays.
At the center of it all is Chef Tim Stein.
Tim’s story with PAATC began more than ten years ago. After completing the program in 2014, he decided to stay and serve, running the kitchen for two years and pouring his heart into every meal. Eventually, Tim returned home to Pittsburgh, where he stepped into a new season as the head chef at a popular local restaurant.
Life seemed to be moving forward, but a few years later, in 2021, Tim felt God calling him back to PAATC, a place that had once helped him rebuild his life and was now ready to do it again.
Looking back, he realizes that God was not finished writing his story.
After spending almost a year working in Admissions, Tim was asked in March 2023 to take over the kitchen full-time. He took time to pray about it before saying yes. “I was nervous,” he said, “but also really excited because cooking has always been my passion. I love putting smiles on people’s faces and serving others through food.”
Today, every meal Tim prepares carries that same love and care. He leads a kitchen staff made up of staff, our students, and intens. who are learning valuable lessons about teamwork, responsibility, and service. “It’s one hundred percent a team effort,” Tim says. “We become a family. We learn how to thrive and excel, even when things get a little chaotic.”
As Thanksgiving approaches, Tim puts his heart into every detail of the holiday meal. He remembers what it was like to sit in the dining hall on Thanksgiving Day when he came back for restoration. The staff went all out to make sure everyone felt at home, and that memory has stayed with him ever since.
Now, he’s the one creating that same experience for others. He fills the menu with comfort foods and family favorites to make the day feel as normal and joyful as possible. He understands that holidays can be difficult for those who are far from family or grieving someone they’ve lost. That is why every dish he prepares is meant to bring comfort and connection.
The students especially look forward to dessert. Tim and his team make sure to have every kind of pie: pumpkin, pecan, lemon meringue, and coconut cream. There’s always something for everyone. Alongside the traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, they also prepare special dishes that honor the traditions of our Hispanic students, such as rice, beans, and a traditionally prepared protein. It’s two celebrations in one day, filled with warmth and care.
This Thanksgiving, as we gather in gratitude, we invite you to be part of what God is doing here. When you give to PAATC, you help us continue serving students like Tim, who are rebuilding their lives and finding purpose through serving others.
Friend, God transformed Tim’s life because you enabled PAACT to be a conduit to His love. Because of your continued support, Tim can now share God’s love with others by giving them a taste of hope and home. Now many more will sit at the table this Thanksgiving with hearts full of gratitude instead of despair.
This season, I invite you to give again—to provide more than food, more than shelter. You’ll be giving the gift of redemption, hope, and family to those who need it most.
Your gift can change a life.
By donating to our scholarship fund, you help individuals access the recovery support they need but may not be able to afford. Together, we can offer hope, healing, and a chance for a brighter future. Every contribution makes a difference—thank you for being part of their recovery story.
