Oh, this place. Family Life Center is probably the most dangerous residential treatment center that I've ever encountered.
Every kid I've seen enter this place was begging to be sent to another program, until finally they start getting used to the day-to-day abnormalities of this place, and give up. At this point, they may even begin to like the abuse they're receiving.
It's pretty crazy. Their tactics involve stripping the individuals of their.. well, individuality. Dress code requires extremely baggy clothing [i'm super tiny and they had me wearing size 7 pants, as opposed to the size 1 i was wearing beforehand. ] and it's often bought for you, unless you're in the "satellite" program [which i will explain in a second]
you start off in one of the two houses on the "residence". this is the main campus where everyone goes to school. six girls per house.. the res is terrible. you can't put anything on your walls, have your own blankets, or own more than three stuffed animals.
if you're lucky, and are following all their little rules, then you MIGHT be able to move to the one of the elite sattelite houses. this was the hardest part for me, because they represent what was taken away from us: a normal life. you can listen to music, if you're at the right level.
you can cook your own food, drink soda sometimes, decorate your room, and GO ON OUTINGS!
yeah. you can't go anywhere on the res. the only contact we got with the outside world was on wednesday hiking day trips.
we weren't even allowed to say hi to anyone we saw. :/
other bothersome things:
no talking during meals.
no music on "the res"
structured days from wake-up to bedtime, with 30 mins free time in between. this is good for some people, sure, but it leads to failure upon leaving the situation
physical consequences for minor things - taking off seatbelt too early = 500 jumping jacks and 500 push-ups
opportunities for "junior staffing" leads to little trust between peers
AND LOTS MORE, but the worst thing in my opinion?
they read your effin diary.
