Teen Challenge Exposed!

Michael Kincheloe wrote:

Very hard is okay. I went through a six-month Salvation Army live-in program that was not at all easy in 1995 and stayed sober for over five years.
But there's a line between hard and abusive, and both the Shafter and Riverside, CA locations cross that line. If anyone doubts this, read some of Cherokee Lady's posts on these boards. Her son was in those two places until she hired a lawyer to get him a program change. He's in a program now that is difficult but fair, which the two TC locations mentioned above are not.

So why didn't you leave and look for another program..? You have that right you know. TC does not keep you a prisoner there and you are free to leave anytime..?

Why would someone have to hire a lawyer to get someone released from TC..? They are not a jail or detention center.? TC takes resident personnel who are over 18, they can leave anytime...? Sounds like you are looking to blame someone else for you not checking and talking to others to see if there were any other programs that suited your needs better.

It's your sobriety, own it.

Let TC do what TC does... Helps a certain percentage of people, but not a program for "Everybody".

I don't care what Cherokee Lady or anyone else says about Teen Challenge, it is a God-Ordained ministry striving to set captives free. David Wilkerson answered God's call decades ago and set up this compassionate organization.I am certain that those who bad-mouth the organization after being in one of the programs could not handle discipline standards set up by the program. Maybe they just were not sincere about wanting to be set free. People who strive to do God's work and help others are often slandered and abused themselves. Satan sees to that.

Edd Hammon wrote:

I don't care what Cherokee Lady or anyone else says about Teen Challenge, it is a God-Ordained ministry striving to set captives free. David Wilkerson answered God's call decades ago and set up this compassionate organization.I am certain that those who bad-mouth the organization after being in one of the programs could not handle discipline standards set up by the program. Maybe they just were not sincere about wanting to be set free. People who strive to do God's work and help others are often slandered and abused themselves. Satan sees to that.

Ed, TC is not for everyone. I take exception to you stating that those who leave the program are not sincere about getting sober. Teen challenge offers only one way (religion). Those that may need supervised medical treatment or licensed counseling will not find it there. They will however find an opportunity to make Money for teen challenge by getting dropped off in front of a supermarket eventually to beg for money that goes to Teen Challenge, or get paraded in front of congregations to increase offerings. There again there is nothing wrong with that if it works for you and gets and keeps you sober. We just recognize TC for "All" that it is, and what it is not.

i went to teenchallege in 2000. the first week there my heart gave out on me and they wouldnt call for help instead they prayed for me. after droping to the floor with my heart pounding out of my chest...i got up nd went to the pay phone and dial 911. i told the intern i would knock her out if she didnt stay out of my way. when the fire truck showed up...my blood pressure was 259/148. the code 3 to the hospital where i had t o have a heart cath done and remained in the hospital for 3 weeks. i was suppose to have after the infection clear up my staff infection, heart surgry. after everyday for 3 weekss, 3 times a day having blood drawn the infection was out of my body and by the grace of god i did not have to have the heart surgry. i hated teenchallege in bakersfield because for breakfast we alwas had those worms in our ceral and you had t o eat it or go hungry. they hadly feed you and i was always hungrey. after 3 months in bakersfild i got to go to ventura. i love it there, the staff was wonderfull. cindy the director was great person who cared for her girls. my cousler was mamie welch a black woman who was the supervisor of the p lace. when i first meant her i told her she couldnt be my cousler because she was black. she looked at me and said thats exatly why she was gonna be my cousler because i was in the white power movement. i graduated and left. but...to this day 2011, we are best friends and when she takes the girls out funraising....she comes to my house because i gave her a key. she rest and i always buy her lunch. she made my stay in ventera wonderfull. i didnt care for bakersfield staff and i d ont have nothing nice to say about them. but i can say once you get to ventera, the food is good and they always are doing fun things. i have nothing to sayy but excellent place to go. thank you venera teenchalleg for making my stay there wonderful and it is a time i will never forget.

von wrote:

i went to Teen challenge in 2000. the first week there my heart gave out on me and they wouldn't call for help instead they prayed for me. after dropping to the floor with my heart pounding out of my chest...I got up and went to the pay phone and dial 911. i told the intern i would knock her out if she didn't stay out of my way. when the fire truck showed up...my blood pressure was 259/148. the code 3 to the hospital where i had t o have a heart cath done and remained in the hospital for 3 weeks. i was suppose to have after the infection clear up my staff infection, heart surgry. after everyday for 3 weeks, 3 times a day having blood drawn the infection was out of my body and by the grace of god i did not have to have the heart surgery. i hated teen challenge in Bakersfield because for breakfast we
always had those worms in our cereal and you had t o eat it or go hungry. they hadly feed you and i was always hungrey. after 3 months in bakersfild i got to go to ventura. i love it there, the staff was wonderfull. cindy the director was great person who cared for her girls. my cousler was mamie welch a black woman who was the supervisor of the p lace. when i first meant her i told her she couldnt be my cousler because she was black. she looked at me and said thats exatly why she was gonna be my cousler because i was in the white power movement. i graduated and left. but...to this day 2011, we are best friends and when she takes the girls out funraising....she comes to my house because i gave her a key. she rest and i always buy her lunch. she made my stay in ventera wonderfull. i didnt care for bakersfield staff and i d ont have nothing nice to say about them. but i can say once you get to ventera, the food is good and they always are doing fun things. i have nothing to sayy but excellent place to go. thank you venera teenchalleg for making my stay there wonderful and it is a time i will never forget.

Sorry to hear that you were ignored when you asked for Medical Help. That is the mind set of some. Deny you medical care and if it be God's will you survive, great. If you Die, then God must have wanted it that way. No responsibility on themselves at all. This is why Teen Challenge is not for everyone.

Teen Challenge saved my daughters life...she was using and almost died a few times. She is a new person in Christ now and has completed the program and attending Bible College. I thank God for Teen Challenge.

Life wrote:

Teen Challenge saved my daughters life...she was using and almost died a few times. She is a new person in Christ now and has completed the program and attending Bible College. I thank God for Teen Challenge.

I'm Glad it worked for her. Whatever it takes to stay sober.

WARNING: DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN ANY TEEN CHALLENGE FACILITY.

BEWARE: TEEN CHALLENGE IS NOT LICENSED OR REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. There are no licensed, certified or qualified counselors on staff because they are not required to hire them. In fact, Teen Challenge has a history of hiring ex-cons and convicted sex offenders and they lie about their success rate.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A "TREATMENT" FACILITY! YOU WILL NOT GET HELP FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OR ADDICTIONS BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. CHILDREN DO NOT GET HELP IN TEEN CHALLENGE. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD REPORTS CHILDREN ARE ISOLATED, ABUSED, BEATEN, STARVED AND BRAINWASHED.

This is not "treatment" and it certainly isn't Christianity. Real Christians would not treat children like this.

I just needed to say that based on these comments and me being a codependent I want to add is anbody who doesnt want to be set free dont waste your time and thier resources. The worst thing is that you prevent someone behind you who does want to be free from getting that space. If you are that headstrong about slamming the Body of Christ or Jesus go back to the streets and let your god SATAN take care of you! You do not deserve to be there!

Anonymous said...

I have never read this blog before, but i walked off a teen challenge program in vero beach florida in 09....best decision i made in my entire life.I had to walk 10 miles down the side of a high way with the directors sons passing me over and over and throwing bottles and other assorted trash at me, but it was all worth it. I was told for 10 months straight that I was a "hopeless addict" and that without jesus i was a piece of shit. I some how managed to get through the bullshit and the abuse (both physical and mental) and I can honestly say that this blog doesn't cover half the shit that goes on in those hell holes.gulag isn't even the right word for those places....more like concentration camp. For 10 months i was less than shit, and i had it easy because i was a liability to the director and his 2 sons free trucks and company cards to spend on a whim. The crooks who run that place are sub-human in the way they treat people. i've never seen any of the other juvenile tcs, but from what i've heard they are worse than the one i was in. I can't even imagine that crap. In my short stay i was waterboarded, slapped and punched multiple times by staff, and was told on many occasions that i was going to have to "fight like a man" by staff only to have to face off against 4-5 full grown men easily twice my size (literally - i lost 73 lbs my first 4 months from malnutrition.)the tactics they use to "show people the love of christ" are simply barbaric.I have personally seen a young man taken out behind a building during a chapel meeting and beaten (not some weak little slap in the face, he had a bloody nose and a black eye when he came back in), than told that he had no witnesses so he could do nothing, and than told it was to save his life from drugs and alcohol. the kid hadn't even used before in his life and was a ward of the state. if anything the teen challenge program does nothing but ruin lives. I have watched my best friend since i was 7 years old leave that place and go completely downhill, suffering from near suicidal depression and heavy cocaine and exstacy abuse. 80%+ clean after the program my ass. everyone i know from there has moved onto heavier drugs and worse crimes. half the staff were giving drugs and alcohol to the students. these "discipleship programs" do nothing but harm the very bullshit they are trying to peddle. if you are a parent and you are reading this, please excuse my profanity but just thinking about that place makes me miserable. dont send your kid there, trust me. those people are evil, plain and simple. The man who ran that place is the only "pastor" i've ever heard of with 3 trucks,2 boats, and 2 motorcycles, while claiming to make less than 70g's a year. and they aren't cheap,beaten up,used PoS's. don't let that man fool you for a second. i would give out my name and e-mail so anyone who wants more info could contact me, but the last person who did that had his life and livelyhood threatened. If this blog does anything to stop those monsters from hurting anyone else, than thank you so much.
1:48 AM, March 27, 2010

Another case of sexual abuse against children within the Assemblies of God Church. Two youth ministers with the Assemblies of God church arrested for sex crimes against children in Polk County. December 14, 2011

POLK COUNTY, Fla.- Two youth pastors have been arrested for sex-related crimes against children, the Polk County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday.

Edward Demoreta, 30, is accused of having sex at least twice with a 14-year-old student at Mulberry Middle School., while he was her teacher there.

Ricardo Navarro, 27, was arrested for texting a 14-year-old member of the church youth group with lewd requests.

Both suspects were youth pastors at the First Assembly of God.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_...

I have never placed any comment on any kind of post ever but I am led to do so. My daughter just placed herself into Bakersfield TC and I plan on sharing with you all of mine/her experiences starting today. She has been in for 3 days now and I will be calling later today to get my first update from a staff member because as you know I can't speak to her or see her for 10 days. This is her 3rd time but first time in a Faith based program which to me is the only way any addict is going to find the strength to keep sober. My prayers go out to all who struggle with their addiction.

I have a son who just turned 21 and he need help? How can I help him and he does not want to listen to anything I have to say. It is difficult seeing your child lost, and full of alcohol and drugs. What is a mother to do? I have tried talking to him and asking him to get help, what to do? Please help, I want my son back.

Boardwatch wrote:

Use IT... it... it..
I do NOT recommended you use...

The program is essence free for those who can't afford it. In reality it is not free. People donate their time and MONEY willingly. The program is based on God's unconditional love, people who give, and people who can't give anything but their broken selves. Once you are serious about the program and the way we were all meant to live, that is following God/Jesus.....our lives fall into place. Life is not suddenly perfect, just a whole lot less chaotic, lonely, and overwhelming. Why? Because we have formed a relationship not religion with our loving Heavenly Father. God bless all of you..........

To "MOther who is desperate". For my daughter, the best action I took was to get her arrested. If I did not, she would of died from the use of drugs. Once she was arrested the courts called the shots. They put her into jail first and then rehabs. It's not a perfect plan at all. Some of the rehabs are worse then the streets. Why? Because they can be filled with people who are not there because they want to be, they are there because they have to be. This just allows these individuals to continue their chosen life style and get more connections. However, there are some people that are there appointed, and are serious about their recovery. Just hope and pray that someone there touches your son's life... IF he will allow it. If nothing else, this process is at least delaying the inevitable, death or continued life of hell. I pray that your son will choose to see the light and stop this evil madness. God bless you..........

As I said TC does what it can for those who surrender to it. It can't however provide medical care or phyciatric assistance or liscenced counseling. Sandy T is right. It mostly has staff that can't offer anything else to the program but their time. I have friends who completed the entire program and it worked for them. No program is exactly right and perfect for everyone. And nobody will quit using drugs until they are ready to give them up. At that point they are ready to surrender to help. Many never stop using until they die.

Hopeful wrote:

I have never placed any comment on any kind of post ever but I am led to do so. My daughter just placed herself into Bakersfield TC and I plan on sharing with you all of mine/her experiences starting today. She has been in for 3 days now and I will be calling later today to get my first update from a staff member because as you know I can't speak to her or see her for 10 days. This is her 3rd time but first time in a Faith based program which to me is the only way any addict is going to find the strength to keep sober. My prayers go out to all who struggle with their addiction.

My 20yo daughter just placed herself into Bakersfield TC and I have never commented on a blog either. I will be calling tomorrow to get staff update and I will post anything of interest.So far the staff at both Vta and Bkrsfld have been exceptionally caring. There is no program right for everyone but she now has a chance to figure out her life for herself. I am very interested in hearing how it goes for your daughter.

WARNING: DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN ANY TEEN CHALLENGE FACILITY OR ANY OTHER FACILITY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU 24/7 ACCESS TO YOUR CHILD.

BEWARE: TEEN CHALLENGE IS NOT A LICENSED TREATMENT FACILITY. There are no licensed or qualified counselors on staff because they are not required to hire them.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A TREATMENT FACILITY! YOU WILL NOT GET HELP FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OR ADDICTIONS BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. CHILDREN DO NOT GET HELP IN TEEN CHALLENGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF KIDS BEING ABUSED, BEATEN, STARVED AND BRAINWASHED AT TEEN CHALLENGE.

In fact, Teen Challenge has a history of hiring convicted felons to staff their facilities. Think twice before sending any child into that environment. Do you really want convicted felons, drug users and/or convicted sex offenders "counseling" your child?

I was in the womens home on h st.in 1988 and quit at 4 mo. Although the program was was difficult I made a poor decision by leaving. Lets just say I went around the long way.whats abusive is the self destruction of Drugs .I wrote a poem back then right before going in to TC. It was called oppertunity. I missed mine and there was a consenquense. Dont miss yours if God is drawing YOU

Joseph A. from Teen Challenge, Sanford, Florida, January 2004 through August 2004, reports:

"Teen Challenge professes to be a Christian Program that helps with life controlling issues such as drugs and alcohol addiction. The program is allegedly a not for profit agency affiliated with the Assemblies of God Churches. In actuality, this program is a work camp that forces clients to work 8 – 10 hour days in ways that are not helpful to them and not always legal. Residents are frequently outsourced for jobs with local companies to earn money for the organization. They are often reduced, in exchange for 1 – 2 hours of Bible study, 1 hour of unprofessional counseling per week and room and board, to beggars taking up collections on street corners for profit, or setting up carwashes in department store parking lots for profit.

Clients without driver’s licenses drive vans full of other workers to and from these money-making ventures. In Sanford in 2004, two workers were killed on the interstate in an auto accident. The van had two faulty tires, no brake lights and an unlicensed driver. Teen Challenge was sued by the families of the victims and the case was settled out of court.

I myself, a convicted drug abuser, was assigned a job as Medical Coordinator in Sanford, dispensing medications to other residents. Not only was that illegal, it was dangerous to both me and the other clients. Any competent and respectable rehabilitation organization should have more appropriate policies and procedures in place and practice.

Also in Sanford, convicted felons working at outsourced jobs were directed to get clients’ credit card numbers over the phone. When it came to light, the customers became very angry that convicted felons had access to their credit card numbers and got the courts involved. In reality, people trying to get their lives together should not be spending their time performing illegal activities for Teen Challenge or its clients. Teen Challenge workers were as much victims as the customers.

The director of the program was re-assigned out of state when the Sanford Teen Challenge came under legal and financial scrutiny. Despite legal, moral, ethical and financial issues, Teen Challenge quickly ushered in a new Director where it continued business-as-usual.

At best, Teen Challenge is a human-trafficking operation that takes advantage of people’s problems, holds clients captive and uses them as commodities for its own gain. It forces them to work long hours only for the monetary benefit of the program and its administrators. At its worst, it is a brainwashing cult. It complicates problems and turns out robots that have problems making educated informed decisions for themselves. Despite the statistics it spouts out, Teen Challenge has no success rate. Prison or county jails are better alternatives than places like Teen Challenge."