facts on ALA

[Paige]

Anon writes:
"Bottom line is what's best for Amanda is to let her have some input (big gasp) on this issue instead of treating her like she "isn't even in the room". She is not an infant still in diapers, for pete's sake."


Your right she is not an infant she is a teenager with all of the typical teenage angst. However "she isn't in the room" she is in Mexico and no one will let her opinion be heard!
You make some very good points. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Spots, as always, has made many good points. Maybe things will work out nicely for Paige and Amanda as they have for Spots and her grandaughter; however, there are differences that *might* make a big difference in the likelyhood of as happy an outcome here.
You all need to keep in mind, your only getting one side to the story. Paige *might* be praticing a good deal of data drop out. This droped out data may change the focus quite a bit.
Its also *possible* Paige is a liar.
We, none of us, know the Truth of this situation.
And I still think I have a valid point about the girl's privacy. I still think Paige was thoughtless and foolhardy in this regard.

[Anonymous]

By the way you were the one who put my name up on this forum first but I don't mind, I have nothing to hide.

Is your son Nate working at the Mexico facility?

Well, I'm glad you didn't mind. I didn't know how else to begin a meaningful dialog while dancing around whoz who. I figured you could very easily ignore it if you didn't want your name up and out.

Obveousily, I have no objection to wittnesses; tho I do smile to myself thinking of the witness list you've chosen. You could call and tape it you know. That way,if I lie to you, you could hang my ass.

And No, Nate isn't still in MX. I have told Craig he needs to update his web site. Nate's home now; and working; so it is a little bit unlikely he'll be back. When he gets to the point where he has some vacation, he may well return for visits.

I did ask about Amanda this AM and was told she is doing real well. I know the sorce is 'tainted' in your view; but still, its something. Before ya'll blast me with 'Yeah, Sure, Trust the Program' and all that; consider, would it really be better to not mention it?

[Paige]

Karen writes:
Well, I'm glad you didn't mind. I didn't know how else to begin a meaningful dialog while dancing around whoz who. I figured you could very easily ignore it if you didn't want your name up and out.

Obveousily, I have no objection to wittnesses; tho I do smile to myself thinking of the witness list you've chosen. You could call and tape it you know. That way,if I lie to you, you could hang my ass.

And No, Nate isn't still in MX. I have told Craig he needs to update his web site. Nate's home now; and working; so it is a little bit unlikely he'll be back. When he gets to the point where he has some vacation, he may well return for visits.

I did ask about Amanda this AM and was told she is doing real well. I know the sorce is 'tainted' in your view; but still, its something. Before ya'll blast me with 'Yeah, Sure, Trust the Program' and all that; consider, would it really be better to not mention it?


Paige responds:

Karen thank you for asking about Amanda, I am happy to know she is fine. That was kind of you and I will pass that on tho the rest of the family.

If you look back you will find that I have never blasted you with "yeah sure!" or "trust the program" I have no battle with you. However until I hear directly from Amanda or from a family member (other than her parents) who have had direct contact with Amanda - I'm afraid that I will not be satisfied. Again thank you for asking about her and passing this along.

I do have one question? If by chance she wasn't Ok and say- just has an illness or has been in some trouble would you have told me or would you have just given the standard answer of "she's fine." Just a thought no need to answer.

One more question - If you are not employed by ALA maybe you should be removed from the website as the family coordinator, for this would fall under the category of false advertising and you would not be in a position to broker any visitations. If you are employed by them any brokering you can do is appreciated. Thank you for your efforts.

[Anonymous]

Karen, what is your kickback for referring kids to ALA?

[Anonymous]

Who knows maybe Nate will be a program director some day.  I think he is learning a lot and this could be a future investment for the family.

[Antigen]

On 2004-04-09 21:23:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Ginger Writes:



"BTW, anybody know if PURE refers to ALA? Anybody?"



Karen Replies:



"No, they don't. There is a difference of opinion on certain ethical questions"



-----------------



Ethical?  Like what?"

Is that to say that, while Karen was listed as a PURE volunteer, they were working together but now something has changed?

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Anonymous]

Paige, it was the "others" whom I expect to blast me with with 'Trust the Program'; And I'd be right there with them, in some circumstances.
I expect this is why they are a little hard on me.  I see a difference in ALA and the problem programs that they don't. I've tried to explain this, but its a hostile audence, and I've not had much luck.  Sometimes they and I are in full agreement; others times not. Such is Life.
As for your questions; if I had been told, she's fine but has a cold, or something like that, I would have told you. I would prefer not do so on Fornits; but I would have told you. If, on the other hand, I had been told she's fine but got cought cheeting on her English test; The cheeting part I would have kept to myself - on here anyway. But this is absolutly hypothetical!  No such thing has happened to my knowledge.
You misunderstand my roll with ALA. I am a volenteer. I'm not paid; and so I'm not an employee. (and to the smart ass anon, I don't make referals, and I don't get 'kick backs' and I do believe you probably know this) What I try to do is help parents when they have a concern or complaint; answer what questions I'm able or get an answer for them if I'm not;  provide feed back to ALA staff as to what people are happy or unhappy about. Sometimes, people have a gripe, but would rather make it anonomusly; and I am who they can call in that case. Sometimes I'm able to get threw to MX for a parent who is having trouble for whatever reason; and let the staff know someone wants to talk with them. Just stuff like that. Sometimes, its just a matter of being willing to sit and listen.  I'm on the web site so people can have some idea who I am and who there talking to. I don't think there is anything misleading or false about it.

[Anonymous]

I have been to ALA.  It is a warm, loving, and safe place.  The girls are very well cared for.  It is evident by watching them interact with one another that they are happy and well adjusted.  Listening to the testimonies of these girls is awesome.  They have come there troubled and rebellious, with an assortment of problems that would lead to grave heartache in the future.  They are turning into loving, caring, peaceful young women.  The people running the program genuinely care for the girls.  The only problem with ALA would seem to be the negative comments coming from people who have not been there and who do not have children there (and therefore are really not in a position to make judgement).  It is located in a quiet, beautiful residential area.  The facility itself is beautiful.  I wouldn't mind my dwelling place being as beautiful as where the girls live.  The girls are there for a reason.  God will do a good work in their lives.  The girls are there because their parents are showing tough love.

[Anonymous]

Is that to say that, while Karen was listed as a PURE volunteer, they were working together but now something has changed?

No Ginger. It has Nothing to do with Me - and please don't make us hash over all the PURE stuff again.
You know full well the truth of the situation and its less than honest of you to pretend otherwise.

[Antigen]

On 2004-04-10 08:01:00, Anonymous wrote:

I did miss it.
F-13 didn't threaten to slice her up or hack her to peices; nor did he make obscene comments involving God.
Makes all the difference to me.

You have got to be kidding!

Come to think of it, that rant of yours about Paige being in this for the drama seems awfully reminiscent of your own characher assasinations of Carey just a few months ago. Do you find that you run into a lot of people in your life who are just trying to make drama for you? If this happens a lot, maybe it's not the other people. Maybe it's something you're doing and you should consider getting over your victim mindset and take responsibility for your own choices.

Just a thought.

Necessity never made a good bargain
--Benjamin Franklin Apr. 1734

[Anonymous]

I'll do that Ginger. Think about it, I mean.

[Antigen]

On 2004-04-10 10:34:00, Anonymous wrote:

Sometimes, people have a gripe, but would rather make it anonomusly; and I am who they can call in that case.

But Karen, the very first thing you did when Paige started posting anonymously here was to bust out her anonymity! I sure hope people understand that and don't give away any important, private info to you in thos "confidential" conversations!

My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.
-- Ashleigh Brilliant

[Antigen]

On 2004-04-10 10:38:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Is that to say that, while Karen was listed as a PURE volunteer, they were working together but now something has changed?



No Ginger. It has Nothing to do with Me - and please don't make us hash over all the PURE stuff again.

You know full well the truth of the situation and its less than honest of you to pretend otherwise.



"

No, I actually don't know a lot. I've asked over and over again which schools PURE refered to. The closest to an answer I ever got was a copy of the court dockett from Utah that listed a bunch of schools WWASP had served w/ subpoenas. The assumption is that those are the schools to which PURE refered. Nobody challenged that assumption. But I still haven't ever gotten a straight answer from any of the volunteers, employees or anyone else affiliated w/ PURE to that or any other question I've asked.

So, I still don't know.

If we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion by education

--Thomas Jefferson

[Anonymous]

If the female teenager in question would not act like an infant, than she would not be in Mexico right now.  She is where she is because she has made some really bad choices.  Paige, pray for God's will to be done, not Paige's will to be done.  Maybe her parents should petition the courts to have the brother removed from you because you are obviously unstable.  Paige, you are not the mom.  As long as the girl is not being starved, abused, forced to sleep on a concrete floor, or not given clothes to wear, then, you are out of line.  She is not your daughter.  ALA is a safe place that is warm and loving.  I know, because I have been there.  If you really do have the girl's best interest at heart, than you will stop trying to interfer with her and her parents.