Hello everyone.
I have been reading the responses and new posts since my last post- its hard to answer some of the questions because my response goes after the last post and not directly after the questioners. I am quite hurt at the false remarks directed at my mom Alana- she doesnt get paid for helping p.u.r.e. or the whitmore- hence the name "volunteer". She is not a whore, or a liar, nor is she righteous or a puppetier, as I am no puppet. I am a human being. Your name calling is nothing but a waste of your time as well as my sensitivity.
No matter what I say in defense of the Whitmore gets only negative or rundant remarks.
I am hurt for the students' lives you've put public, I don't appreciate your conception of Cheryl and Mark. Why not come out here to Nephi and meet them? Would that be okay? I am not being obnoxious- I think it would be great if someone would come and meet these people for themselves.
Well here's some answers:
What happened to Erica? She took what she didnt like and multiplied it into food for those who cant stand programs. She never talks about how she hit a drunk man in Canada in defense of the Whitmore.
What happened to Joey? The same thing he did to his own family- bit the hand that tried to help him. He took drugs, got drunk, tried to hurt himself, and when we tried to stop him he ran away crying abuse. I have known him and his family since I was born. We are from Simi Valley California and our families are close- so I am a good source of his issues- lying and confusion.
I love Erica and Joey. I love Cheryl and Mark. Both sides are so separated now by misconception that no matter what I say both opinions are ultimately met.
What about communication? Well geez that's a brain storm- not! The kids can ask to call their families. If they don't, then they can talk about how wrong that is to some families in their family session. They really are encouraged to call. They even have a rule that they are to write their parents a letter once a week, make a copy, send the original through mail, and keep the copy in their journals. Most of them never cared to talk at home, why would they suddenly change now? They take time and it turns for the better sooner than later.
What about trips? The kids are supposed go to their teachers and principle all of whom are certified, and pass off what assignments to take with them on whatever trip they take. They are encouraged to do all of this, they have to keep a school bag with them, and time is set aside for school- again if they choose not to then theyre using the same cycles and bad habits that they probably brought from home- which they will eventually want to change, and then they will do their stuff.
This too is encouraged by positive peer pressure, parents, and self confidence. Trips are very flexible- it teaches a lot about sharing and dealing with life as it comes. Sometimes the itinerary changes...gosh forbid they get to go to the grand canyon (for example) at the last minute.
What about abuse? I can't even begin to think of what I could possibly say to persuade anyone into changing their minds. I am not blind or brain dead like one of you begs to differ, no I seek to understand. If a student hits another student then they get consequences, say having to write reports or have group session about the ins and outs of choosing a better way of communication. If this is abusive then gosh, why dont we go into our local high schools and file abuse on all the teachers who have seen their students hit someone. and lets call the principle names and say they are sexually harassing the whole school. then lets get the parents to lose sight of their own choices.
I am not looking forward to the responses that will have more name calling, and the counter responses that shut down my energy to help. But these are risks I took on just by posting in the first place.
I have good friends, and I love my Mom. Please don't call them bad names when you don't even know them. And as for your facts- some of them really are wrong. Thank you for your time again. Take care.
*Tori*
