Every teen is looking to be a success. There is no teen that truly desires to be a failure, so if we can be successful in encouraging them despite their circumstances, they will eventually take the steering wheel of life and begin to direct their life. I have found that it is extremely frustrating and heartbreaking to take on a damaged teen. The answer is that if you can be patient enough to see it through, the rewards are incredible and everlasting. I would suggest to seriously thinking about your desires in helping teens of this stature because there are no immediate rewards for the most part.
Someone has to be able to be available at all times, even the middle of the night.
What I have seen, however, after eleven years, is that it is all worth it. After working for 11 years with several hundreds of teens, I have been able to begin to see some of the effects we had. Several of these kids have entered Bible school and gone into the ministry. One is a recording artist for the Lord. Several have taught Sunday School.