Investigating Teen Challenge: January 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

DID YOU HAVE A BAD EXPERIENCE AT TEEN CHALLENGE?

If you have had a bad experience at Teen Challenge, I invite you to post your comments about it here. You may even be able to exchange e-mail addresses to talk with others who have had similar experiences. And, if you are a family member wanting to make contact with other family members who have questions and concerns, please read my post below regarding family members.

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Civil Rights Violations!

What's worse, is that I have heard that some Probation officers are CHOOSING Teen Challenge and demanding graduation OR else their "person on probation" goes to prison / jail. In other words, sign onto the "Assemblies of God" religion, walk the walk, "speak in tongues" etc.... or you'll go to jail. Doesn't this smack of civil rights violations!!!??? posted by Cherokee lady of Fowler, CA Tuesday Jan 23 (NOTE: Please read my blog post entitled "Proof That Courts Are Sentencing People To Teen Challenge")

They could quote hundreds of Bible verses...

I'm a pastor who has had a couple of my members go to Teen Challenge. I will not judge what happened/s there because I don't know personally. I do know though that they have not done well after coming through the program and getting out. They have relapsed and nothing that was done there has stayed with them. They could quote hundreds of Bible verses but couldn't connect them with real life or behavior in any realistic way - it's all just rote memorization. I'm not impressed. posted by rev on Apr 18, 2007

"I had to hire an attorney to get my 24 year old son out of Teen Challenge in Riverside, Ca. Our experience was a VERY negative one. My son WANTED to change his life when he entered Teen Challenge, however, we were shocked by the whole experience! They would make stuff up and punish my son at their whim. (Punishment gives you more time to serve, thus they get more money working you, so I have heard) Also, my son asked if there was counseling available, as he felt depressed. (They have no counselors, all that work there have gone through TC's one year TCMI program). He was told it was his own fault for being depressed as he didn't give himself to Jesus. They ostracized him for not "speaking in tongues", and his "counselor" told me that "speaking in tongues is a gift from God, your son could have it too, but he is rebellious!" When they overheard that he had asked me to request a program change with his probation officer (change to a secular drug rehab, NOT a RELIGIOUS program) they attacked him, told him that he needed to spend some time in PRISON to be broken down to accept Jesus, that going to other re-habs was spitting in the face of Jesus. They drove him to a bus stop, dropped him off, then LIED to me about the incident. This poor kid was hysterical. Thus the hiring of an attorney. My experience drew me to this conclusion: Teen Challenge basically pushes hyper-religiosity to replace addiction. They DO tell you that it was a calling by God to be there, and guilt you with their belief that you must come back there. They pressure you for recruitment. Their success statistics are not accurate, according to researchers. Those that lack resources for attorneys are victimized.... Yes, TC is probably better than jail for some, but the sad fact remains that TC is mentally abusive, and many of those lost souls that end up there do suffer so... My son was always sounding wound up, stressed out, confused.... He is now doing beautifully and is calm and getting the healing he needs. (He is OUT of Teen Challenge) So, for us, Teen Challenge was a nightmare! AND, many in there do not realize that it is a violation of their civil rights to push the religious dogma, IF IT IS TRUE that Teen Challenge did indeed receive faith-initiative money, which IS federal money. They crossed the line when they mentally abused my son by refusing to allow him the freedom to choose another program WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION. They KNOW that these people on probation are on thin ice, and it empowers them to threaten them with "giving probation bad reports", and "I'm sending you to PRISON!" It was a terrifying experience, and I hope and pray that Karma, God, Jesus, EVERYTHING in the universe works together to expose abusive organizations that exploit broken souls!" by Bren on February 11, 2007 2:07 PM

Teen Challenge

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Investigating Teen Challenge

Sunday, January 13, 2008

DID YOU HAVE A BAD EXPERIENCE AT TEEN CHALLENGE?

Blog Archive

About Me

Links

Bogus Success Rates?

13 Counts of Abuse?

Shelly Says:

Judy Asks:

A Family Member Asks:

Laurie Asks:

-Forced to Solicit-

Mom Had to Hire An Attorney:

Civil Rights Violations!

Given False Information

Multiple cases of abuse:

Forces god down people's throats

Obviously- This Lady's Been Brain Washed!

Sexual Abuse Cases

They could quote hundreds of Bible verses...

Engaged to Fiance But Not Allowed to Visit Him!

Girlfriend Not Allowed to Visit You While In Teen Challenge

very high drop out rate and statistics from 32 years ago!

have you been to teen challenge?

A Comment I Received

Teen Challenge