Teen Challenge Exposed!

[William]

former intern wrote:

Is it true that Allen Van Horn and Gwen are no longer at TC due to embeselment? I am SHOCKED! Ha ha! I entered the program in the early 2000's. As is my nature to take over things and lead, I slaved myself at Detail Shop in Pennsecola, until I worked my way into the role of Head Intern over all other so called students. With the greed of "Brother" Allen, I took the detail business to an all new level. With my savvy (hey I am a drug addict and very skilled at manipulation.),I took us from making 600.00/wk. to 2000.00/day on average. Paved the way for the new facility instead of the ragged old church we lived in. The conditions were deplorable, actually worst than count jail. Sick brain washing, twisting of the word of God was a daily norm. After nine months, facing an 8 year Doc of Alabam sentence, I returned to Alabama for a probation review before my sentecning judge, to find myself immediately jailed for probation violation and set in count jail for four months because the judge(rightfully so) was extra pissed with me. I was release at the beginning of the 5th month. I FOUND out then that Brother Allen had called the judge and told him I had embeseled thousands and thousands of dollars and insisted I be sentenced to no less than 5 years in TC Pennsecola. Wish I had all those thousands, as having 12 grand children can run into some money.
Anyway I would like to thank "Brother Allen and Sister Gwen" because without them I never would have been able to become the Christian man I am today. They exposed my always suspiscous concerns with organized religion. Dont get me wrong there are some churches (though blind of there overall organization) do try to do God's work and I know God will bless them, but Religion is going to send many folks Straight to Hell! The stories I could tell of that Rat Hole of Evil. I pray for those suckered into their cult. I pray that the God have mercy on the souls who can't see the Scam and end up caught in the trap.
To all Drug Addicts I say: God is the way out of your misery, but I promise you he is not going to just fix it! He has the power to show you he is God and will allow you to keep trudging blindly but repent and ask and he will give you Opportunities to change. You can not sit and wait for God to change you. You must have faith and to have faith you must ACT! God Bless All and please if you are considering Teen Challenge: DON'T!!!! Instead try to identify the underlying cause of the addiction. My on was RESENTMENT. It was the driver of my addiction. Again May God Bless You with tender Mercy.
P.S. I would like to know if anyone knows what happened to Cris Corbin. He is a good man, He was caught up in an impossible situation.

Former intern, I worked at T.C. for the "Little General" also. Email me at [e-mail] to catch up. BTW Chris was a good guy, but he relapsed and ending up leaving T.C. I enjoyed working with him though. One of the few people that wasn't a total moran.

[Israel Jacobs]

People who post negative comments about Teen Challenge should pray for the Teen Challenge facility that they have a grievance about. These centers have helped many people and they have a better rating than government sponsored rehab programs. Secular rehab programs have a much higher rate of recidivism.

[Carrie Scoggins]

Teen Challenge can boast it has an 80% recovery rate, but since each location is ran by different individuals one might question the actions of a few individuals. That should not be a stigma thrusted upon the whole group!
They have the highest recovery rate in the nation concerning drug users not just quiting drugs, but the user staying off drugs years down the road. I could not give any personal endorsement, as since I have never been a drug user of any kind, I was never a candidate for rehab! ha!

[Tim north]

I was there the same time as mr barfield and I personally witnessed firsthand the craziness of " brother " alen I was court ordered to be there and graduated the program but not because of him but bc of my inner strength that he was unable to break . I loved the lord then and still do and that man was def not a man of god that I've ever seen ..

Pensacola TC student wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah well the great man of God your referring to just got fired for embezzling money from the ministry... I'm a student at pensacola teen challenge now, and can tell you that there is a lot of controversial stuff that goes on here..

[Dollbbi]

I have a 29yr old son who is currently at the TC International of Mid-America Cape Girardeau, MO. He is court ordered to complete the program, but he waited 4 months to Voluntarily go into a treatment program while incarcerated. TC was the only program I could find that would accept him with medication as he is Bi-Polar. He entered TC at the Perry OH facility and has since moved onto the next phase in Cape Girardeau. Does Anyone know about this facility? I have been reading a lot of the comments and there have been a few that he has experianced too, Right now they have him washing cars? And I am VERY concerned about the medical care available and who is handling the meds? Please any insight would be greatly appreciated as I am starting to document and do my own investigating. Yes my son is a grown man, his sobriety is between him and God, I however have and always will be his advocate when it comes to his MH disorder. Without his meds, the chance of sobriety is slim. Thank you for taking the time to read, comment or suggest anything.

[Stop Teen Challenge Abuse]

Testimony from a former student:

Anonymous said...

I went to Teen Challenge West Florida in 2006 and I have seen things that I cant erase from my mind. I was forced to drink my own vomit. As well as roll in my own vomit because "I put it on the floor so I have to clean it up". I saw students go to the hospital because of head injuries caused by "DI's". I have seen students refused needed bathroom breaks. And after prolonged torture, urination on themselves and forced exercise therefter. I am willing to speak to any authorities regarding this matter. I have dates and staff members names. Detailed reports written in my personal notebook. Even "incident reports" that were written by other cadets that somehow found their way into the trash can, being deemed non important.
God Bless you all in your efforts,
Thanks
12:34 AM, July 25, 2008

[Stop Teen Challenge Abuse]

Anonymous said...

Teen Challenge in Bonifay Florida should be shut down and the adult volunteers and paid staff should have their dignities stripped as they treated the enrolled teens. Thank you anonymous Feb 20th, your remarks are on target and truthful. As for your success as of lately, I applaud you. My son has finally come around since his Bonifay Teen Challenge nightmare, and he still is in disbelief that a community allows this ranch to exist. Dave Rutledge is a delusional monster and I often wonder how he can preach the Word and sin continuously as he allows that hellhole to operate as is. I pray that any parent in need of treatment for their son, never consider Teen Challenge of Bonifay. I wish that ranch would close or get sucked down to hell where it belongs. Thank God for formats such as this so people can be warned. I wish that I did a more thorough search of Teen Challenge before dropping my son off at Teen Challenge of Bonifay. That poor decision on my part will haunt me to the grave but when parents are desperate they sometimes will blindly go to anyone wearing sheep clothing.
12:56 PM, March 13, 2008

[Stop Teen Challenge Abuse]

WARNING: DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN ANY TEEN CHALLENGE FACILITY OR ANY OTHER FACILITY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU 24/7 ACCESS TO YOUR CHILD.

BEWARE: TEEN CHALLENGE IS NOT A LICENSED TREATMENT FACILITY. There are no licensed or qualified counselors on staff because they are not required to hire them.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A TREATMENT FACILITY! YOU WILL NOT GET HELP FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OR ADDICTIONS BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. CHILDREN DO NOT GET HELP IN TEEN CHALLENGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF KIDS BEING ABUSED, BEATEN, STARVED AND BRAINWASHED AT TEEN CHALLENGE.

In fact, Teen Challenge has a history of hiring convicted felons to staff their facilities. Think twice before sending any child into that environment. Do you really wanted convicted felons, drug users and/or convicted sex offenders "counseling" your child?

[tyler]

O teenchallenge how you have saved me with you physco propaganda about a supreme being who controls everything yet nothing anyone with half a beating heart will come to the same conclusion even if it takes others longer stop deluting yourself with your delusions of grandure pastor darron!! I am the ultimate control in my life not some outside influence true life and happines come from the inside and once you except this then things really start to make sense.may I make a suggestion? You should really start reading literature from this century!!!

[karley]

TEEN CHALLENGE IS THE WORSE THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME! ITS A SKAM! THATS ALL IT IS,. ALLL THEY WANT IS YOUR MONEY, I WAS THERE FOR 3 MONTHS AND IT TRAMATIZED ME. ITS LIKE A NEVER ENDING NIGHTMARE. since then i have terrible anxiety and post tramatic stress

[Dostadawg]

I am a Georgia Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child and family therapist with3 35 years of professional experience. These so called "counselors" at Teen Challenge seem to be doing more harm than good. I have been dating a lady who attended the Pensacola program and left before they drove her crazy. She had addiction problems and went there in because they said they were spiritually based. What a bunch of hooey! Mandatory listening to Christian music one hour a day does not qualify as spiritually based. Counselors had no empathy for the attendees, many of whom were just looking for the love they never had at home. They ran the place like a military boot camp. Worked them at demeaning jobs like picking up trash on the highway and in a dirty smelly fish market in order to teach them "respect for authoity". What does addiction have to do with lack of respect for authority? Teen Challenge had contracts with the government for the trash detail and contracts with private businesses for cheap labor. Everything the residents earned went to fund Teen Challenge. If you know somebody with addiction problems, do yourself and them a favor: stay away from Teen Challenge in Pensacola. I would seriously question the professional credentials of the staff at this Teen Challenge. An incompetant or uneducated or untrained counselor can do a ton of damage to a person truely seeking help.

[Courtreporter777]

My son is at Teen Challenge at one of the number one rated ones in the US!!! I thank God everyday for this place!!! They are helping these individuals learn how to be responsible human beings!! My son is there now, and he's allowed to call me and I'm allowed to visit him. It's better than prison or 9 feet under the ground in a tomb dead from a drug overdose!! Satan is out to destroy and try to humiliate the work of God!!! Satan counterfeits everything of God!!! You don't see anyone bashing prison on here, do you? There are over 70 men and women at my son's facility and it's not 'FREE' to feed these hungry kids!!! It's not 'FREE' TO HOUSE THEM!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE! My son is now drug free!! No Seboxin no Vivitral and not passed out drunk or high somewhere acting like a fool!!!! Not dead even!!! God has totally turned his life around!! You must not believe in God or you wouldn't be bashing this place who tries to help!!! God created someone like you and you're still alive if you're reading this. You better fall on your knees and thank HIM!!! Because he can take the very breath you breathe away from you anytime!!! Get a life with Jesus!! Seek him and you'll find him. No one bashes prison!! Guess where that money comes from to house inmates (FROM YOU - IF YOU'RE NOT ON WELFARE) IF YOU'RE A TRUE TAX PAYING CITIZEN!!! And they allow sex, drugs and all kinds of CRAP there!! But that's okay right? haha Get real people! Find the truth!! I've seen articles online where people say some of the leaders of the place fell into sin and got arrested! That's their fault if they did and IF IT'S THE TRUTH!! Everybody wants to hear lies and not the truth!!! And that's the devil (BECAUSE HE'S THE FATHER OF LIES!!! The devil is only out to kill, steal and destroy the people who are going for God instead of the ones ALREADY GOING TO HELL. It could happen to the Pope! Sin is sin and the world is full of it!! Those people working there that would not be doing God's work will get caught!! They'll get their reward!!!! Teen Challenge is a good place and these men and women there are hungry for the love of God, for someone to care about them and wrap their arms around them!!! I've known people who pay $30,000 for rehab and come out and do it all over again!! Spend thousands and thousands of dollars for help and still can't find it!!! Teen Challenge goes strictly on donations!!! These people aren't there to get rich and steal from you!!! Like I said, if they do, God help them!! I thank God everyday that my son is not being BRAINWASHED with drugs and the LIES OF SATAN!! lies, lies, lies!! Itchy ears want to hear lies!!! There's scripture about that, too!!! People wake up!! America we're in trouble!! Jesus is coming back for a spotless bride and you better be covered by the blood of Jesus that cleanses us ALL OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!!! Thank you Jesus!!! I'm not going to let Satan lie about this place!! They don't beat you at Teen Challenge and they don't throw Bibles at you!! It might be good if they did! Knock some sense into you people who are brainwashed of things of this world!!!!

[kamedley]

My son is at Teen Challenge at one of the number one rated ones in the US!!! I thank God everyday for this place!!! They are helping these individuals learn how to be responsible human beings!! My son is there now, and he's allowed to call me and I'm allowed to visit him. It's better than prison or 9 feet under the ground in a tomb dead from a drug overdose!! Satan is out to destroy and try to humiliate the work of God!!! Satan counterfeits everything of God!!! You don't see anyone bashing prison on here, do you? There are over 70 men and women at my son's facility and it's not 'FREE' to feed these hungry kids!!! It's not 'FREE' TO HOUSE THEM!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE! My son is now drug free!! No Seboxin no Vivitral and not passed out drunk or high somewhere acting like a fool!!!! Not dead even!!! God has totally turned his life around!! You must not believe in God or you wouldn't be bashing this place who tries to help!!! God created someone like you and you're still alive if you're reading this. You better fall on your knees and thank HIM!!! Because he can take the very breath you breathe away from you anytime!!! Get a life with Jesus!! Seek him and you'll find him. No one bashes prison!! Guess where that money comes from to house inmates (FROM YOU - IF YOU'RE NOT ON WELFARE) IF YOU'RE A TRUE TAX PAYING CITIZEN!!! And they allow sex, drugs and all kinds of CRAP there!! But that's okay right? haha Get real people! Find the truth!! I've seen articles online where people say some of the leaders of the place fell into sin and got arrested! That's their fault if they did and IF IT'S THE TRUTH!! Everybody wants to hear lies and not the truth!!! And that's the devil (BECAUSE HE'S THE FATHER OF LIES!!! The devil is only out to kill, steal and destroy the people who are going for God instead of the ones ALREADY GOING TO HELL. It could happen to the Pope! Sin is sin and the world is full of it!! Those people working there that would not be doing God's work will get caught!! They'll get their reward!!!! Teen Challenge is a good place and these men and women there are hungry for the love of God, for someone to care about them and wrap their arms around them!!! I've known people who pay $30,000 for rehab and come out and do it all over again!! Spend thousands and thousands of dollars for help and still can't find it!!! Teen Challenge goes strictly on donations!!! These people aren't there to get rich and steal from you!!! Like I said, if they do, God help them!! I thank God everyday that my son is not being BRAINWASHED with drugs and the LIES OF SATAN!! lies, lies, lies!! Itchy ears want to hear lies!!! There's scripture about that, too!!! People wake up!! America we're in trouble!! Jesus is coming back for a spotless bride and you better be covered by the blood of Jesus that cleanses us ALL OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!!! Thank you Jesus!!! I'm not going to let Satan lie about this place!! They don't beat you at Teen Challenge and they don't throw Bibles at you!! It might be good if they did! Knock some sense into you people who are brainwashed of things of this world!!!! If someone at Teen Challenge did something, I guess it's 'TRUE' one bad apple can spoil the rest!! And the ones who aren't doing anything wrong gets bashed too!!!!

[kamedley]

Someone said forced to drink their own vomit!! That is the biggest lie from the devil that I've ever heard!! These kids there need to GROW UP!! You're enabling your son or daughter when you have to have contact with them 24/7!!! They need to grow up!! Quit enabling them! My son left his towel on the bathroom floor there and he had to carry and 2 pound (2 pounds okay) little block of wood around for two weeks to remember next time to pick it up!!! Geese what kind of punishment is that??? It's just a "reminder" for him to QUIT BEING LAZY (WHICH I GUARANTEE MOST OF YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM ARE LAZY). My son was lazy!! Now, he's learning to be a responsible human being!! I get to visit with him every 2 weeks. He gets to call me! I can visit the churches they go to!! And they are WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND WONDERFUL CHURCHES!! AMERICAN YOU'RE SO BLIND! Most of you parents probably think it's okay to have a little night cap drinky in front of your kids! Just don't abuse it honey! Just don't abuse it! It's okay for a little smoking a joint or having a little party or a football party with some boos or some friends over! Those things are okay, honey!! NOT!!! That's what you tell them and that's A LIE STRAIGHT FROM THE PITS OF HELL!!! Or, no, let's give them Vivitral or Seboxin - YEAH, THAT WILL WORK! And let's get them on Welfare and keep them LAZY! And teach them that everybody OWES YOU SOMETHING!!! NO THEY DON'T!! GROW UP!!! WAKE UP!!!!! I WANT TO CUSS HERE BUT I'M NOT!

[aaronr]

i completely understand the christian aspect of it. getting in touch with Ur higher power is important when getting clean. But this programs teaches no drug rehabilitation or 12 steps. Which is a proven method of drug rehabilitation because if religion alone could keep people there would n not be Christians in any of the Na or AA programs.

[Tammy F]

I have a daughter in Teen Challenge in Pensacola Fl. She has been there 3 months. She went in of her own free will and yes, there are days when she wants to come home but she realizes that she is exactly where she needs to be. Yes, they work her 12 hours a day (she will have that to put on a work application when she graduates) and yes she is secluded from men (of all the boyfriends she has had in 27 years, none added to her life, only took away) and yes, she studies the word of God!!(They took God out of our schools and look what happened) Name one thing bad about having a personal relationship with God! She is learning how to humble herself and admit when she is wrong. She's learning that her bad choices have been her down fall, and she is learning to lean on God and find peace in her heart. This was her last resort and NO it is not a resort!!It is a safe haven for retoration IF that is what you are seeking. A place where phone and TV and internet and outside drama are left behind so your focus can be on what is important! God Almighty! Yes, I said it! And as far as fundraising, it is absolutely necessary! My daughter had nothing and they took her anyway. I am grateful to TC for what they are doing for my daughter. I'm really sorry if you had a bad experience but that has not been the case with my family!Just the opposite.May God give you peace and the ability to forgive those that did you wrong!

[Patrick London TC]

Its always interesting the reponse from the people who didnt finish TC. I hated all the time I was in TC but also knew that I was there because I needed to change and have discipline in my life. Unfortunately some do have a adverse affect and dont realise that "in order for God to work through you, God has to do something to you" which is chip away all the rough edge's and our bad attitudes. After all isnt that the reason we went in the first place TO CHANGE. We need to al pray for these people. God bless
Patrick Coyne Outreach Worker Teen Challenge London. P.s to all keep up the good work you are doing a excellent Job.

[Cheri]

Dostadawg wrote:

I am a Georgia Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child and family therapist with3 35 years of professional experience. These so called "counselors" at Teen Challenge seem to be doing more harm than good. I have been dating a lady who attended the Pensacola program and left before they drove her crazy. She had addiction problems and went there in because they said they were spiritually based. What a bunch of hooey! Mandatory listening to Christian music one hour a day does not qualify as spiritually based. Counselors had no empathy for the attendees, many of whom were just looking for the love they never had at home. They ran the place like a military boot camp. Worked them at demeaning jobs like picking up trash on the highway and in a dirty smelly fish market in order to teach them "respect for authoity". What does addiction have to do with lack of respect for authority? Teen Challenge had contracts with the government for the trash detail and contracts with private businesses for cheap labor. Everything the residents earned went to fund Teen Challenge. If you know somebody with addiction problems, do yourself and them a favor: stay away from Teen Challenge in Pensacola. I would seriously question the professional credentials of the staff at this Teen Challenge. An incompetant or uneducated or untrained counselor can do a ton of damage to a person truely seeking help.

My son was at the Pensacola and then Jacksonville, Florida. They kicked him out and put him on the street. He was 20 years old and we live in Knoxville, TN. Nick died less than 24hours after they put him out. He was dehydrated, had no food in his stomach and was alone.

[daniel]

Cheri wrote:

<quoted text>
My son was at the Pensacola and then Jacksonville, Florida. They kicked him out and put him on the street. He was 20 years old and we live in Knoxville, TN. Nick died less than 24hours after they put him out. He was dehydrated, had no food in his stomach and was alone.

Sorry to hear your son died. Unfortunately not all want to change their lives. I personally graduated TC Pensacola and have since graduated Ministry School. All Students who will not follow TC Rules are removed from the facility to ensure that others who are trying to change their lives will not be adversely affected. I have seen Staff give unmanageable students more opportunities then they deserve before asking them to leave.

[been there]

Teen challenge sucks...the inmates are often very angry as most of them are pressured by the courts to either do 14 months in TC (all they do is shove AG theology down your throat-it gets weird, lemme tell you we had a guy come in one friday night and lecture us how he saw a "demon" jump from a protitute to him and "possess" him lol) or go to jail....Kurt says they have counselors at TC Chicago...(are the liscensed to treat addiction??? NO-they are graduates who cannot find work anywhere else due to a 14-month gap in their resume!!!!) Food is good at chicago TC They have a nice rec room w/ big screen tvs and ping-pong and pool tables but other than that it kinda sucks listening to weirdo pastors all day long...Pastor Kurt is the only one thats halfway normal only because he has extended sobriety (He would tell you that God gave him back his sound mind)....They normally dont allow psych meds at chicago TC and will not let anyone smoke cigarettes (wheres that in the Bible???) Count on getting taken to weirdo AG churches in Indiana and all over farm country in Illinois also...Another thing the "counselors" will never talk honestly about addiction or drugs or emotions they will quote scripture and pray for you but thats all theyll do to help.