Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Teen Challenge => Topic started by: Firebird81 on May 02, 2007, 07:07:55 PM
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I know there are many people who rely on the internet today to research organizations they may wish to have dealings with, either by supporting or, in the case of Teen Challenge, more commonly, in a search for help for themselves or a loved one.
I think it is very important to make all of you aware of the two most common motives people have for attacking Teen Challenge. The first is former students who dropped out of the program. One such student now runs a website claiming to expose Southern California Teen Challenge---the very center I graduated from and the very district I worked for as a student advisor for 5 years. Many dropouts do leave angry. Change is hard. And Teen Challenge sets very high standards for success.
The second and uglier motive for attacking Teen Challenge is a relatively new one. And it is politically based, driven oftentimes by left wing organizations and special interests opposed to Bush's faith-based initiative. Teen Challenge is the primary target of these people for two reasons, neither of which are Teen Challenge's fault. First---It was an incident in Texas where certain entites took it upon themselves to try to run TC out of the state. George Bush was Goverenor and stepped in to protect the program. Why? Did Bush stand alone? Absolutely not! Most texans knew Teen Challenge's reputation and exemplary record of helping addicts and found it absurd that such a great program that has done so much good could have it's doors shut because of some legal loophole.
This incident is what inspired Bush's federal faith based plan. Secualr and staterun programs are huge failures at rehabilitation, yet Teen Challenge showed much higher successes. Of course, since TC was the very basis for Bush's program ( not a RECIPIENT. TC would not qualify for funds thru this initiative!), political opponents proceeded to tear apart the initial study conducted on TC. The resulting hoopla has led to the usual nonsense and blogs and expose's--you name it. Of course, several other studies have also been conducted and repeatedly show 65-70% cure rates for graduates of the program. And, contrary to what you read here, a far higher percentage of people graduate TC than any other program I know of.
There is a third motive and that is one of anti-Christian sentiment, particularly anti-pentecostal sentiment. The reasons behind this are due completely to religious differences of belief.
Teen Challenge is largely run by former addicts. The programis based around not only introducing one to Christ, but teaching Chrisitan principles to be applied to daily life. It's not for everyone. TC does not hold people against their will. When someone says they want to leave, they are allowed to go.
Teen Challenge is overall a great program and I credit it with saving my life from over a decade of hardcore drug addiction, a life that had me shooting meth in my veins, living on the streets and in and out of state prison. I would be dead today were it not for Teen Challenge. If you or a loved one are considering TC to get help in, then please ignore the garbage you see on the very few websites attacking this organization and do what is in your best interest and call your local center.
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For those who want to see that others have a problem with Teen Challenge, please check out the thread on Teen Challenge at Topix.net- http://http://www.topix.net/forum/city/minneapolis-mn/TN94VATH520HE9UQM
Karly
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I'd also like to make another comment to your statement regarding how you say that:
"Teen Challenge is largely run by former addicts"
Please make note that Teen Challenge is also run by MANY ex-cons who did not do jail time and chose Teen Challenge instead!
Karly
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Please do, you will see that most of the replies in that thread are from people who successfully completed that program and hold TC in high regard. There is a very vocal little circle of people who are showing up at all of the same places on the internet making the same accusations. Karly, you still haven't taken up my offer. You obviously are NOT interested in knowing the truth.
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Your offer? Offer for what? To argue? No thanks!
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I'd also like to make another comment to your statement regarding how you say that: "Teen Challenge is largely run by former addicts"
Please make note that Teen Challenge is also run by MANY ex-cons who did not do jail time and chose Teen Challenge instead!
Karly
I was an ex-con that worked for Teen Challenge. I did not use TC to escape jail, tho. Are you saying ex-cons can't change, Karly? I spent 3 years in state prison and another 2 in various county jails before entering TC. Teen challenge deals with the worst of the worst addicts, hardcore street addicts that have nowhere left to turn. AA and NA meetings are run by ex-cons. Many residential treatment facilities have ex-cons that hold positions.
I have been clean 13 years. Today I own my own home, am happily married and make a very good living in Orange County, California. Honestly, I take offense to your obtuseness.
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Your offer? Offer for what? To argue? No thanks!
argue? no. You've mae many accusations and false assumptions about TC. Have you ever been to a teen challenge? Ever gone to a turning point meeting to see what they are saying? Ever seen the Teen Challenge Choir perform? Ever ask those people standing in front of the stores what their experiences have been? Are you even interested or are you grinding some axe at the expense of others?
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Fire, we've seen all of this before with other abusive programs. What you view as proof of success only furthers Teen Challenges image as a abusive facility.
Do some research on the other programs listed here and you'll get the idea.
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Fire, we've seen all of this before with other abusive programs. What you view as proof of success only furthers Teen Challenges image as a abusive facility.
Do some research on the other programs listed here and you'll get the idea.
What I view as success is completing the program and living a successful, sober life. Succeesful is subjective as some will seek financial success, some will seek fulfillment in other ways. Succeesful means being able to live your life as you wanted but couldn't because of drugs.
Teen Challenge is in no way an abusive program. Karly makes the absurd claim that it is because of a daily schedule that includes prayer and devotional times, as well as church. Oh the horror of it all! Have there been bad staffmembers at some facilities? Of course and as soon as TC sees that, they get rid of them. The vast majority of staff and interns at TC are dedicated, caring and loving people who have a heartfelt desire to help those who are where they themselves once were. These staff memebers typically make less than $1000 a month(far less in many cases), that's how dedicated they are to helping others.
This is not Phoenix House model where students are forced to wear toilet seats or sit on a hot seat while others shout abusive garbage at them.
The truth is, I don't care about convincing the people who run this or any other site. The ones I am concerned about are those who in their search come across these places and see this. I want them to know the truth, because some of their lives may depend on it.
Karly has already shown that she has no interest in knowing how TC really works.
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I know there are many people who rely on the internet today to research organizations they may wish to have dealings with, either by supporting or, in the case of Teen Challenge, more commonly, in a search for help for themselves or a loved one.
I think it is very important to make all of you aware of the two most common motives people have for attacking Teen Challenge.
Translation: Don't go thinking you can go thinking for yourself, now. You don't have anywhere near the super hero awareness I have. But don't worry, I'll do all the thinking for you.
The first is former students who dropped out of the program. One such student now runs a website claiming to expose Southern California Teen Challenge---the very center I graduated from and the very district I worked for as a student advisor for 5 years. Many dropouts do leave angry. Change is hard. And Teen Challenge sets very high standards for success.
Translation:
You don't get super hero awareness like me without graduating the program. Only staff, who have attained a high degree of super hero awareness by associating nearly exclusively with other, similarly preternaturally endowed members are fit to judge whether or not a junkie is really sincere in their recovery or not. You wouldn't be able to tell, you're not qualified to judge and they are not even capable of thinking straight. UNLESS they're trying to convince you that they're not psychotic skidrow junkies who know what they're talking about. In that regard, they're deviously clever, brilliantly manipulative masters of deception. Only we are smart enough to see through that bullshit. Why? Because we're all junkies just like they are! So for God's sake don't listen to anything they say.
The second and uglier motive for attacking Teen Challenge is a relatively new one. And it is politically based, driven oftentimes by left wing organizations and special interests opposed to Bush's faith-based initiative.
Translation: Bush supported welfare mamas are not the same as Dem supported welfare mamas. Only a Bush supporter is endowed with enough super hero special awareness to tell good publicly funded social programs from bad ones. Again, don't try this at home, leave all the thinking to us.
Teen Challenge is the primary target of these people for two reasons, neither of which are Teen Challenge's fault. First---It was an incident in Texas where certain entites took it upon themselves to try to run TC out of the state. George Bush was Goverenor and stepped in to protect the program. Why? Did Bush stand alone? Absolutely not! Most texans knew Teen Challenge's reputation and exemplary record of helping addicts and found it absurd that such a great program that has done so much good could have it's doors shut because of some legal loophole.
Translation: Many people errantly view the establishment clause of the First Amendment as actual law and a good idea to boot. They haven't been endowed with the same super hero special preternatural awareness that George Bush has, so what do they know about anything. We who are so endowed know that it's just a silly litle legal loophole. Keep going to meetings and you'll be able to clearly see that too.
Ok, now this is just silly!
This incident is what inspired Bush's federal faith based plan. Secualr and staterun programs are huge failures at rehabilitation, yet Teen Challenge showed much higher successes. Of course, since TC was the very basis for Bush's program ( not a RECIPIENT. TC would not qualify for funds thru this initiative!), political opponents proceeded to tear apart the initial study conducted on TC. The resulting hoopla has led to the usual nonsense and blogs and expose's--you name it. Of course, several other studies have also been conducted and repeatedly show 65-70% cure rates for graduates of the program. And, contrary to what you read here, a far higher percentage of people graduate TC than any other program I know of.
First of all the Faith Based Initiatives program was Clinton's baby. (I shit you not, under Bush they initially floated the remix with that unfortunate acronym). It started out as the AmeriCorps (http://www.americorps.org/) and California's "treatment not incarceration" themed Prop 36> I thought the whole package sounded an awful lot like something out of Gulag Archepalego. I had to call my daddy up and apologize for being a smarty pants for arguing that at least the Dems aren't as mean spirited as the Repubs.
Second, those figures are made up out of whole cloth. Not calling you a liar, in order to lie you have to know what the truth is and consciously say otherwise. But they're bullshit none the less. If there were such a thing as a drug treatment program that had anything more than around a 5% sustained remission rate (exactly the same as spontanious remission w/ no treatment at all, btw) it would be earth shaking news and you'd have psychologists, sociologists, public and provate granting agencies and not profits up your ass documenting this miracle cure.
I can sit right down and write myself a letter about anything at all and call it a "study" in whatever topic may flit through my mind. But that wouldn't make it any more of a peer reviewed, properly done and credible study than whatever marketing copy you're citing. Show your faith in your convictions (beliefs, not successful indictments). Cite the source if you really want to be taken seriously on that point.
There is a third motive and that is one of anti-Christian sentiment, particularly anti-pentecostal sentiment. The reasons behind this are due completely to religious differences of belief.
Teen Challenge is largely run by former addicts. The programis based around not only introducing one to Christ, but teaching Chrisitan principles to be applied to daily life. It's not for everyone. TC does not hold people against their will. When someone says they want to leave, they are allowed to go.
Yes, especially among those forced either by law or family to be so indoctrinated against their own will and concience and those of us forced to fund your religious crusade through public funding. I'd love to get into this a little more, but I have to take one of my kids' friends to an ARD session. If she's 5 minutes late, they throw her ass in jail for some while. She says she gets a big kick out of doing her introduction; "Hi, my name is ______ and I'm a pot head". As de dawg chases his tail!
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I don't know a great deal about Teen challenge. I didn't want to get caught up p in a debate when I am as ignorant as I am on the subject. But I can say that when I was researching options for my drug addled son, Teen Challenge was not an option, b/c they wouldn't take him against his will. They sent me an application that he had to fill out if he wanted to go.
They were kind on the phone - there was no high pressure tactic brought into play. The young man offered to pray for my family - and being one who believes in the power of prayer, I was grateful.
As for indoctrination - I could be wrong - but I wouldn't think a non-Christian would ever consider Teen Challenge. Its not like they hide their beliefs, or the fact they lean heavily on the power of prayer for healing, and so on.
I got the impression that there are many chapters across the country and that they can differ significantly in their approach. This *might* mean that while this dude here may be telling the truth, that they don't put people in the hot seat wear he is; they might else were. I got the impression that some were segregated male / female; and others weren't.
I also recall being told that if a person wanted to leave they would not try and stop them. It was explained that it wasn't uncommon for people to decide to leave after a few days or weeks. They explained that they wouldn't hold an open place but that if the person later felt they wanted to return, they could be put back on the waiting list. The wait at the time was 6 months - is what I was told.
After what I have been through with WWASPS, I have to say I am impressed with the approach Teen Challenge takes. They may not be perfect (what human endeavor ever is) but they might be worth considering, if one is a Christian, and needing help with substance abuse.
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From what I've gathered reading blogs and long debates on comments sections, and of course here, It looks like TC uses more coercive tactics to keep their wards. With the Adults it's usually court order or parole that the consolers use to keep them in the program. "If you don't we'll send you to jail". With the kids the parents hold all the sway.
I've heard the same thing about the differences regarding the various TC, however most of the complaints I've come across refer to the one in California. This just sound like all the other programs and program supporters. Abuse leaks out while the program(supporters) claim that their program is different, not like those abusive programs. I've become suspicious of every program and unless they are held accountable to laws(that are enforced), transparent, follow an evidence based model, stand up to fierce questioning with straight answers(not the "were not like X-evil program"), and have clearly defined policies across facilities(with in the law of X state) they'll get the hairy eyeball from me.
I'm not out to get anyone but the industry is so dirty and good at looking clean I just can't take them at their word. If you(fire) have been through it and liked it lets us know, Give us input on the Day to Day...
Being that I've seen this kind of poster in Thayer Threads, WWASPS threads, Pure, Whitmore, Straight-clone, and X-known-abusive program threads I can't help but view this as the same thing.
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I don't know a great deal about Teen challenge. I didn't want to get caught up p in a debate when I am as ignorant as I am on the subject. But I can say that when I was researching options for my drug addled son, Teen Challenge was not an option, b/c they wouldn't take him against his will. They sent me an application that he had to fill out if he wanted to go.
They were kind on the phone - there was no high pressure tactic brought into play. The young man offered to pray for my family - and being one who believes in the power of prayer, I was grateful.
As for indoctrination - I could be wrong - but I wouldn't think a non-Christian would ever consider Teen Challenge. Its not like they hide their beliefs, or the fact they lean heavily on the power of prayer for healing, and so on.
I got the impression that there are many chapters across the country and that they can differ significantly in their approach. This *might* mean that while this dude here may be telling the truth, that they don't put people in the hot seat wear he is; they might else were. I got the impression that some were segregated male / female; and others weren't.
I also recall being told that if a person wanted to leave they would not try and stop them. It was explained that it wasn't uncommon for people to decide to leave after a few days or weeks. They explained that they wouldn't hold an open place but that if the person later felt they wanted to return, they could be put back on the waiting list. The wait at the time was 6 months - is what I was told.
After what I have been through with WWASPS, I have to say I am impressed with the approach Teen Challenge takes. They may not be perfect (what human endeavor ever is) but they might be worth considering, if one is a Christian, and needing help with substance abuse.
I think choice can be a very relative thing, particularly if somebody needs help quite badly. It is possible to be a practicing christian who signs on to something with only *half* the story because they want help badly. many christian welfare orgs and NGOs run counselling services both religious and secular. I could see how an unscupulous zealot would concern themself more with saving a soul and tell an addict what they want to hear. Or a kid may go semi voluntarily but with considerable pressure from her parents and family. Afterall 18 yr olds at WWASP are "free" to take an exit plan.
It is also common for cults to say that someone is free to go at any time. But if i had a real and severe addiction and was told I would be nothing without the program it might be a pretty strong incentive to stay. it is a really fine line.
We have Teen challenge here. it is not generally live in but lots of rehap here is not. I went to one of their meetings as a research thing. It was pretty heavily religious, more than I would be able to stomach but appeared to be helpful enough to those there. of course i am aware that nobody acts too crazy in front of a stranger but there have been no complaints that i am aware of. i wonder if it differes from country to country
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I am glad that some who have a little experience with TC have come around here. That gives me a place to jump from. To answer Buzzkill's question---every TC in the country is required to follow a set of guidelines in order to maintain certification. The same curriculum and basic schedule is followed at every center. Teen Challenge centers do not act autonomously, when it comes to what methods they use regarding structure. Where they act autonomously is in fundraising, because National (world Teen Challenge) does not provide them with funding, although seed money has been known to be provided to help a center get off it's feet.
Fundraising is where I could see the legitimate complaints, particularly with SoCal TC's decision to use the fire camps. Many staff members hated that while I was there and felt it put potentially successful students at a risk of dropping out---it was a brutal schedule on those camps. BUt we have to put this into perspective--As TC grew into a national organization expenses obviously grew as well. Some tough decisions had to be made, because of TC's religious component it never has and never will qualify for federal funding, except for non-religious activities, of which there are very few in TC. The LATC Recreation Center in Lynwood (compton) is an example of one, tho. It is simply a recreation yard like the YMCA where neighborhood kids can get off the streets for a few hours several days a week and play in a safe environment.
Anyway, funding became a problem with the growth. So different centers had to come up with different solutions, as TC had always been a free program. Some centers started charging $300 a month, very cheap compared to many programs. Some started charging a one time entry of a few hundred dollars. Teen Challenge has an advisory board of various pastors and large donors that deal with these types of challenges. In SoCal, one of them suggested selling pancake breakfast tickets in front of stores for $1. The directors of the SoCal centers felt it was very important to remain free, because most heroin addicts who need us the most can't afford to spend money on rehab. So they adopted this program and it's been a tradeoff ever since. It morphed into chicken dinner tickets sold door to door. Unfortuantely the seven socal centers had an annual budget of over $3 million. It cost $6000 a yr to house one student. So, various other methods were suggested and tried. Riverside TC does a car wash for the Riverside auto auction. And many centers signed on to the fire camp program where they cook for the firefighters.
Fire camp has been the worst as far as dropouts and other problems and I always felt it wasn't worth it. Trying to get funding tho has turned fundraising into a large part of the program and it is easy to see why some get discouraged. Most, however, feel that since they are there free, it is worth it to them to work a little to keep the doors open. LATC also experimented with a pressure washing service offered to local businesses and had a moderate level of success bringing in some money that way. Worth noting is that David WIlkerson the founder, vehemently opposes fundraising, prefering instead to be about God's work and letting God provide the funding on his own. Truthfully, if needed funding was available any other way, socal tc would drop fundraising. Unfortuantely, no golden goose has ever arrived ( and Bush's plan would not have been the goose either, because of TC's strong religious integration) so decisions have been made. Free with fundraising, or charge without? Teen Challenge doesn't deal with middle class and rich people primarily. Their base are the street thugs, hardcore needle users, prostitutes and crackheads. How many of those people would have to be turned away if they charged. Like I said a tough decision. Regarding a couple other questions, I'll just make a different response.
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Can you give us any input on the phases
While at the Teen Challenge office Mr. Soemo gave me literature about the organization. Throughout that literature the intent of the organization is made very clear.
Phase I of the five phases of Teen Challenge, according to their literature, is "Basic Confrontational Evangelism."
Phase II, III and IV revolve around constant and continuous indoctrination or "Christian studies," also accomplished through "One on One and Group Counseling."
Phase V, which is about re-entry into society revolves is based upon the principle of putting a client in an "established . . .. local Church." That church would apparently meet the doctrinal requirements of Teen Challenge.
Also TC does work in the prison systems, adult and juvenile(Arizona for sure). Questions have been raised regarding TC notification of parents that their child is involved with the program. What are the written rules on this and how does it actually play out in practice?
AlsoIt may be on the first visit or the fifth. The person usually realized that the only true change can come through Christ. They either receive or reject Him. The plan of salvation is explained to them. When possible we direct them to a Church for further follow-up. Others having come to this decision 'I really want help through Christ' we will then represent them in Court."
What's that about, TC represents people in court?
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Ok, dealing with someof the other questions posed here:
students leaving TC: no one is held against their will. If a student says he wants to leave, then he leaves. Teen Challenge does not want people in the program who do not want to be there---those people do nothing but cause problems for the ones who DO. Many centers will immediately take a student to the bus stop, because we have had many instances where once they decide to leave they begin to become belligerant, some have walked off premises and come back with a bottle of booze, all kinds of problems. It is for the safety of the other students that this policy is typically upheld.
court ordered students: Teen Challenge at times receives students who have been sentenced to drug diversion rather than going to jail. In order for this to happen a potential student has to request TC specifically, jus tlike many other non-state run facilities. That person is interviewed in jail, if they are locked up, by one of our staff. If we accepted them then a letter of acceptance woul dbe sent to the court. If a judge required, a staffmember would show up and answer questions, but TC is pretty well known in the legal system, and held in general high regard. If that person leaves teh program TC is REQUIRED to report that immediately to the court or probation dept. If it is a case of a bad fit for someone who wants to change, like the poor Jewish kid I intervied and brought in who had no intention of becoming a Christian, then while TC is required to report that they have left, we oftentimes would also send a letter explaining the situation. Oftentimes, however, inmates are just trying to stay out of jail and when they find that rehab is harder than jail they decide to leave and with no small exhibition either. I repeat--TC would not try to keep that person, because they present a problem for those who are there to change.
Brenda--this is a lady who is posting that she ahd to hire an attorney to get her son out of TC. He was a court commital. What she should be telling people is that the attorney didn't have to fight to get the kid out of the program, but instead had to go to court to convince the judge that the kid should be put in another program because he ahd left riverside teen challenge and was therefore in violation of a court order. Once again, TC is REQUIRED to report when a court ordered student leaves the program.
Tongues: or the baptism of the holy spirit---A little history is in order here. When David Wilkerson started TC in New York he didn't know anything about rehab. Honestly back then no one did. Sociologists and psychologists had all pretty much agreed that once you were a heroin addict you were for life and there was no way to ever get clean. Anyway, David's method was basically the same he had always used as a pastor with normal people. Lead them to Christ and disciple them, or teach them how to live as a Christian. That was it and he had good success at it, but he noticed over the first year that some people would drop out even tho they desperately wanted help and would return to drugs. SO he asked some of the students who had been successful what they felt it was that had enabled them to stay. Overwhelmingly they told him that is was when they were baptised in the holy spirit. And it made sense to him.
All Christians believe that being baptised in the holy spirit is God empowering you for service to Him. Most denominations believe that this happens at salvation. Pentecostals, however, believe it is a separate experience ( based on a passage in Acts) and that the initial evidence is that one will speak in tongues. So, David started promoting this because he believed it would help keep the kids clean.
TC is a home mission of the Assemblies of God, one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations, and the largest, I believe. However....It was decided by TC leadership and AG leadership that officially TC should remain a non-denominational organization while still adhering to AG's pentecostal beliefs. The reason for this was that many different denominations, many non-pentecostal, were avid supporters and sent people into the program. It was decided that saving people was more importnat than ostracizing Baptists and Lutherans and others who had family members who needed help.
Because there are people from different denominations of the Christian faith in TC ( I was raised Southern Baptist), TC openly endorses what they feel is an empowerment of the individual but they do not force individuals participate nor are individuals ostracized for not doing so. Also, I have never seen a TC where some of the more flamboyant pentecostal practices occur. Although, someof the churches we visited may be like that. AG typically does not go for the walk on the pew, do the fish, holy orgasms you see in some other pentecostal churches ( brownsville being the notable exception).
Please feel free to voice any concerns or questions you have. For the record I left TC nearly 7 years ago, actually somewhat angry (we'll discuss that as well if you want) and am not affiliated with nor have I even talked to any of them in years. I do however believe in that program and its mission. It saved my life. What I'm saying is that I will gladly discuss the opens ores as well as teh good of TC. Sores exist, but they do everywhere, and overall I believe TC as an organization is far and above most others.
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Ok...
What about the phases and notification of parents?
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Can you give us any input on the phases
While at the Teen Challenge office Mr. Soemo gave me literature about the organization. Throughout that literature the intent of the organization is made very clear.
Phase I of the five phases of Teen Challenge, according to their literature, is "Basic Confrontational Evangelism."
There are two different things we can mean when discussing phases. One is what you are asking and the other is the 4 phases of the actual residential program. I will deal with yours:
Phase 1: basically, outreach in a word. Scheduled turning point meetings and interviews requested by an individual are one method. TC is also actively involved in various outreach activities with many local churches, like concerts, homeless outreach ( soup kitchens, blankets and clothing,) basically getting out and spreading the gospel to the down and out.
Phase 2: this is induction. Teen Challenge is set up like this: they have induction centers where new students come in and spend 3 months. This is the weeding out phase, basically. People enter rehabs for a variety of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with getting off drugs. This is the time where those who are not serious about change get a chance to count the costs and either get serious or leave. Also, those who are newly cleaned up have entire different needs than those who have been clean a few months. It takes a couple months for certain drugs to quit affecting your reasoning processes. Anyway, those who advance beyond this ar eplaced at a different level and separated so they can focus on the next level of their rehabilitation. These facilities tend to be located in some of the roughest inner city neighborhoods around their area.
Phase 3 would be the 9 month program after induction at one of the larger facilities. These facilities tend to be more remote so that the students can focus on their studies and counselors can monitor their progress.
Phase 4 would be an internship of 4 months, either with TC or at a local church. At this phase the student is given a limited amount of authority, is put in charge of student in the program to a limited degree as afar as keeping the daily schedule going and making sure rules are adhered to. Interns do not discipline or counsel. They merely report any problems they see and keep the day to schedule moving.
Phase V, which is about re-entry into society revolves is based upon the principle of putting a client in an "established . . .. local Church." That church would apparently meet the doctrinal requirements of Teen Challenge. Your definition here is correct, so I'll leave it. This is after the program is complete, basically. At this point a student has graduated his internship and is off to live his life. Phase 5 is basically goodbye. SOme however do opt to go to TCMI for a year and be trained to either work as staff or in some other innercity ministry.
Also TC does work in the prison systems, adult and juvenile(Arizona for sure). Questions have been raised regarding TC notification of parents that their child is involved with the program. What are the written rules on this and how does it actually play out in practice?
Unfortunately, in California TC has never succeeded in opening a teen facility, so I don't have a direct answer. Obviously, TC would have to abide by whatever state laws are on the books requiring parental notification. Dealing with minors brings up an entirely new set of problems for obvious reasons, which is one of the reasons TC moved more to dealing with adults. I CAN tell you a couple things, tho, that I think may offer some insight. Teen Challenge is very committed to restoring families broken by drugs or alcohol. In induction the focus is more on separating a person from immediate outside influences, bu tfamily members are always welcomed at church activities and family day is held once a month. At the main program family day is every Sunday and family members also can attend open services on Thursday nights. That being said TC guards it's students against those who contributed to their problem to begin with. By that I mean people who used drugs with them or abused them in any way (as determined by the student, not tc staff, in the case of abuse) Fiances and wives are generally allowed to come, but there has to be an engagement ring on that finger for TC to consider her your fiance. Regular girlfreinds or boyfriends are not allowed visitation, because oftentimes these are people they got in trouble with and have tended to try to pull them right back out. After a few months weekend passes are permitted once a month for a student to go home--wives, relatives or in rare cases members of that student's home church who played an important role in helping them are the only people studetns are allowed to stay with. They can't go hole up in a hotel somehwere, for obvious reasons. So with that jumble in mind maybe you can ascertain how TC would likely act in a minor situation regarding parental notification.
AlsoIt may be on the first visit or the fifth. The person usually realized that the only true change can come through Christ. They either receive or reject Him. The plan of salvation is explained to them. When possible we direct them to a Church for further follow-up. Others having come to this decision 'I really want help through Christ' we will then represent them in Court."
Yes. I have personally done that. They do not mean they will provide an attorney. They mean that a representative will stand up in court on your behalf and do everything in their power to convince the court that you should be allowed to enter their program. Absolutely.
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Ok, let's go phase by phase starting with 2.
What is provided in this phase? What rules & responsibilities do clients have to abide by? What criteria is used to determine success, Checklist Counselor's whim? How does that affect paroles? What medical care is provided in regards to withdrawal and who(credentials) provides it? Is mail phone contact monitored or censored?
Add whatever details you feel should be added......
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Ok, let's go phase by phase starting with 2.
What is provided in this phase?
This is induction. The student's day starts with breakfast, then a time for personal devotion, wher students read tehir bibles to themselves for 15 minutes and then they quietly pray for 15 minutes(or sleep as often is the case at his stage.) Once the interns wake them up from their prayer time, they have a morning work call that last about an hour to clean up the dorms, facility and breakfast mess. After work call their is a one hour chapel service--typical church stuff, sing hymns and then a staff member presents a sermon. After a 10 minute break class begins. At this stage class material focuses on personal responsibility, developing healthy personal realtionships, treating others with respect and earning their respect, how to deal with and control anger. Let give a minute to explain this:
Teen Challenge's method of "treatment" is to consider drug addiction a symptom of other problems. To the church they say it's a sin problem, but in the program they take a much more practical approach. What are some of the most common reasons people who try to stay clean fall back into drugs?
Anger--they get frustrated, it overwhelms them and they give up.
Unhealthy personal relationships: every addict can point to that single person who was a bad influence, or at elast the two of them together were bad influences on each other.
personal responsibility: a victim mentality is a very personally destructive one. It keeps a person down, takes their motivation away and leaves them feeling that someone else is keeping them that way. This class teaches how to take responsibility for the decisions you've made and their consequences ( good and bad) and then takes it to the next level of teaching how to take responsibility for your own life, take the reins and control your own destiny( with the help of God, of course)
These classes last 1 to two weeks. Format is a typical classroom setting, where a teacher lectures and then students interact with the teacher--just like school.
That takes us to lunch, after which afternoon work call begins. What happens here varies from center. At LATC many of the oldre students who had been there longer than a month would go to the thrift store and help out. Newer students still facing physical cravings or dependencies would stay at the center and work
Then there is dinner and it varies from night to night. Wednesday they go to a church service, monday the have a nhour of intercessory prayer and then free time. sometimes there is a short studfy hall. If the rec center is open some of the more mature students may be allowed to go out and help the rec center staff, which is a big treat. They end the day with a little quiet time for those who want to pray and then sleep---8 to 9 hours a night.
What rules & responsibilities do clients have to abide by?
Typical dormitory living rules of course. Students can not go wandering off into the neighborhood, no smoking allowed. Swearing is not allowed. Students are typically segregated and are not allowd to fraternize with the opposite sex at this point---it's not a time to focus on sex or women. This rule actually didn't always exist, but severe dropout rates and a booming Teen Challenge baby population resulted in this approach. Hormones have a way of taking your focus off of recovery. Television is kept to a minimum, mostly news, sports and family-oriented movies. Students have full access to exercise and recreation facilities. stuff like that. Violation ofthe rules gets a write-up and can result in disciplinary action, typically a week of extra work calls while everyone else has free time. Severe violations, like drug use can result in dismissal. This is reviewed per case, tho. Some guys, the fakers, have no remorse and are asked to leave. If it's a case of someone who slipped, then they will be workd with. Transfer to a different center is on option, removal from daily program and placement on a special program where staffmembers can work closely with and monitor teh student is another. It's really on a per case basis.
What criteria is used to determine success, Checklist Counselor's whim?
Students are reviewed by the staff before advancement to the next phase. The criteria considered are counselling notes from sessions with their advisors, performance in their studies( basically their GPA), disciplinary history, and basic general attitude. A student may be held back two weeks if they are not at the level the staff deems needed for advancement. Conversely if an opening comes up and a student is performing exceptionally well, they may advance as much a month earlier.
How does that affect paroles?
In a word..it doesn't. Some parole officers require monthly progress reports, some still insist on seeing the student. Now if you mean court ordered students, typically the courts take a hands off approach and just deal with whether or not the student is in the program. Court committals to TC do not make up a very large percentage of students. I had never seen more than one or two at any given time over 5 years as a staff and 2 and 1/2 as a student. That may have changed with California's drug rehab law that requires courts to send first time drug offenders to rehab first, but probably not significantly, simply because it is the student who chooses TC, not the courts.
What medical care is provided in regards to withdrawal and who(credentials) provides it?
TC does not provide medical care. Potential students are required to take a full physical and bring the results before entry. Students who are on a family health plan will keep their insurance info on file in case it is needed. Many TC students have no longer have familial relations by the time they come to TC and those students if they need medical care are sent to local county hospital facilities with a staff member. Family members are allowed to come get students with special needs and take them to a doctor. However, there are students who lie to staff just to get away for a day so proof of a doctor's actual visit is required.
Is mail phone contact monitored or censored?
phone--no. calls are 15 minutes long to allow others to use the phone. Mail is monitored only so much as who they are sending letters to. TC does not want students communicating with that friend or girlfriend who they were shooting meth with before they came in the program, for obvious reasons. A problem student may actually have his mail monitored more closely, but typically no one reads anyone's mail.
There is another dynamic at work in TC and that is the "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" dynamic. Dorm living produces all kinds of entanglements and heads clash on a regular basis. TC staff use this as a teaching opportunity. At no time do they instigate this, but when it happens they use it as an opportunity to teach the students how they should practically apply the principles they have been learning in class. This is actually a large part of the growth process, an unintended one, but one noentheless.
Oh, also, every TC I was ever involved with had weekly staff meetings and either weekly or monthly meetings between the students and the Dean of Men. There was always a suggestion box where students could anonymously express their concerns over certain rules or other concerns. The Dean of Men would meet with the entire student body and go over those suggestions/concerns, explaining why some things are as they are and then implementing some rule changes if a student brings up a good suggestion or point. Staff meetings were similar, but also included any issues with staff treatment of students.
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Firebird- instead of posting your version of what supposedly is 'supposed' to go on at Teen Challenge, read my reply to your topic at http://http://wwf.fornits.com/viewtopic.php?p=259850#259850.
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Address the issue of choice and trying to changes other peoples way of life through forceful relationships with God. do you think God wants corerced followers? How do you support your positions theologically? You have to defend your self against a bother in christ now, and quiet honestly, I dont think you met the requirements of christian theology to be a christian.
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Teen Challenge does not coerce people into Christianity.
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Your a lier. Just because you say it does not make it true. Support your self.
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I want to take this opportunity to thank you for hosting this website and know you will find much success with it, much as I have in hosting the Seed discussion forum
Teen challenge holds some personal interest for me. Here is why.
When I was 12, in fifth grade, my father took me and my three sisters to a David Wilkerson 'meeting' in Pensacola florida where Mr. Wilkerson was laying on hands, etc. Shortly thereafter I got his book, "the cross and the switchblade" and read it at least twice. It fascinated me by opening up the world of drugs and NYC style gangsters.
If you know me, you know that several years later, at age 14, I entered the seed.
Several years after that, I was the victim of my father and the St Petersburg Florida police co-conspiring to have me brought back under my father's control so he could place me in another program. I ended up fighting and ultimately prevailing, but what I discovered later was that in all likelyhood I was bound for a teen challenge program somewhere near Jacsonville Florida. This was back in the mid 70s.
While I never made it there, I have a step sibling that did. Since I am not close to him, I have no idea what his experience there entailed..but my own research indicates that many Teen challenge locations use synanon based techniques to force christian religion into the minds of young people. This shit should be illegal.
So, again, I am sure you will find much success with this website. If you need any assistance, advice...anything...contact me.
GregFL
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force christian religion into the minds of young people
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They threaten you with Jesus as though he were a pit bull on a leash, their own personal pit bull.
If Jesus returned to Earth today and visited the Shafter TC, he'd probably kick John Burns right in the nuts. I'd buy the video.
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COME on girls keep this discussion going. It is aiming to be the largest farce on fornits this side of the WHO thread.
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Well- evidently the fury of the firebird finally ran out of things to say! Stay tuned though cuz I'm sure there will be more!
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He hasn't been posting on topix, either. Everyone there just ignores him.