Is It True Options

[all the joy 4 me]

:huh: is it true that NHYM in Marion is thinking of shutting down??? It was a rumor that I heard from a student who just left, she said that a lot of staff have been "let go" and that so many kids have been getting way to far out of hand that they have had to get stricter and stricter. If this is true it really makes my heart sad, because that's not what I remember it being like I loved it love it. Please someone get back to me! ~Tricia Joy

[Kathy_Mayer]

NOT true! NH is alive and strong! Kathy

[all the joy 4 me]

do you know this for certain.....?????

[Kathy_Mayer]

Well, I am a parent of a current student in the DR. No status change has occurred as far as I know with staff. In fact, I received the new monthly prayer calendar and the employees seems to be the same in name and in number. Why don't you phone someone in Marion? I'm sure they would be happy to speak to you. Kathy

[Sarah_Smith]

I am a parent of a son who just recently transferred to the DR. I know that the house he was in has apparently closed. I understand that the enrollment there goes up and down during the year. I think they try to keep the houses fairly full rather than dividing up 8 guys into 2 homes, for instance.

It may be true that they are down in attendance but I do not think nor have I heard that the Marion facility will close. I don't think that would be very cost effective anyway, do you? :)

[ThomasW]

I think it may happen within a few years. If you google 'Escuela Caribe" most of the results are book reviews that describe the place as a 'brutal, prison-like Christian boot camp,' and that might, just might, deter some parents from sending kids there. And the nhym-alumni.org site may have a similar affect. But then again, some parents are just tired of beign parents and would rather pay someone else to do it, so I imagine at least one branch will stay open, for a while at least.
And if you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the book 'Jesus Land,' by Julia Scheeres. If you sent your kid there, or are considering it, you owe it to him/her to find out what you're really getting them into.

[Deb_Hatland]

Good Morning All:
Tricia do not worry....we are not closing. I have worked for NHYM for over 25 years and we go through ups and downs. It is a part of life. It is affected by bad publicity and by the economy. Things are going better now. As of January 1st we have enrolled 9 new students in the programs. Remember that christmas time is a transfer time. Many students return home and some transfer to the DR and some transfer to Marion. We have been down to one girls house and one boys house here in Marion. We are planning on opening the third house soon. We continue to receive applications....that is good for us but sad for the families that need our services. Tricia give me a call if you would llike....
Deb Hatland.

[Rosanna_Doornbos]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=blue]

My son is new to NHA. I attended my first Parents Meeting last night. This topic was discussed at length. I'm not sure why rumors like this start but logic tells me that ALL of the kids entering the program have issues of one kind or another and unfortunately they are probably not ALL going to be saved and some may even resent the effort....hence the trash-talk & rumors. Remember, the enemy will try to take advantage of the weaknesses in us and our children. Regarding the referenced book, since just hearing of it last night I obviously haven't read it but, I think we are all familiar with the recent controversy surrounding a young author and the book he had published and endorsed by Oprah's Book Club.....obviously it doesn't have to be true to be published and promoted as such. I have great hope for my son through his participation in this ministry and great faith that our Lord is in control. I encourage all of us to pray for those misguided souls that are still crying out for attention through their negative comments about New Horizons.

God bless all of our children and the staff at NHYM!

Rosanna Doornbos

[dmdillon]

To All;

I'm a member of the NHYM Board of Directors.

Thought I'd add my two cents here. Deb Hatland did a wonderful job in her reply. No, NHA is not closing down, nor is it any danger of doing so in the near future. As Deb explained, NHYM, like many nonprofit organizations, go through high periods and low periods. NHYM is pulling out of a low student population period that may have been caused by a number of situations. The foremost reason for the downturn in population was technical. NHYM receives MANY inquiries from parents via its website. Last summer the www.nhym.org website had technical difficulties and was working incorrectly. Consequently, we didn't received the number of inquiries we would normally receive duing a summer period. This translated into lower student headcounts in all programs for the fall and winter of this year. We are happy to report the website issues have been resolved and enrollment is back up. We expect to be at or near capacity for the upcoming year.

The secondary cause of the low student population may have been affected to some degree by the negative website put together by Julia Scheers. It is unfortunate Julia has chosen to vent her anger in this way. I know Julia and her brother David personally. We were students together in the DR in the early 1980s. Attempts to dialogue with her to discover why she is so angry have gone unanswered. However, if you perform due diligence in your research you will find that many of the authors of the negative blogs on Julia's website have recanted their statements. In fact, the owner and author of the original website has addressed that very issue in this forum.

At any rate, I'd welcome any questions or concerns. You can e-mail me directly at david.m.dilloN@comcast.net. Please include NHYM in your subject line so I don't delete your message inadvertantly. Any question or concern I can't answer directly I will be happy to present before the Board if warranted.

Warmly Yours,
David M. Dillon

[Sarah_Smith]

Thanks for the last two postings. I attended the Marion parent meeting on the 11th and we also discussed things (not including closing down anything). We had a great report from a former student who loves the Lord and is serving Him on a full time basis. :) My husband and I were encouraged and reaffirmed by the desire that was evident to not only help the students with behavior but to introduce them to God's love which is unchanging and unconditional. That is the best foundation for all of our lives!! :lol:

[jeffkalom]

Oops, I need to get over here more often !!!!

Thank you David and Deb for covering this topic.

Jeff Kalom

[Charlie2]

Hello I haven't written on here in awhile b/c there are so many other sites to write on. I would first like to answer the question of the honesty and sincereity of former students on the nhym-alumni.org blog ( I am one of the them) and think what you will of me, however you cannot wish away or excuse away our experience. Even those who believe NHA is a good place have admitted to violent behavior that happened to them in the program and put it on public boards. Please don't invalidate our experience by saying "this is the work of the enemy" or that we are seeking "negative attention", who are you to say what it is we experienced? As for myself and many others we have found the public and private boards to be a way to get our voice heard, when at the time of the abuse there was no greivance report available and no way to speak honestly about it to our parents b/c all calls and letters were monitored. The FACTS are that this type of behavior modification has proven to be ineffective and this has come from objective research and I suspect that this may have alot to do with the low numbers. NHA has not made it clear what type of population they are appropiate to serve and thus serve children who should not be there (Phil Redwine has said so himself), either b/c it is too tough of a program or b/c the youth has serious mental issues that NHA is not equipped to handle, so WHY accept tham? I think NHA could be effective but in using the Christian jargon repentance NEEDS to happen, in saying things have changed it is as much as saying things were wrong, but no one has admitted this or said sorry to those who went to the program and left with PTSD and other extreme issues.
Who can answer WHY? A simple I'm sorry, I know I did something wrong and I am working on changing it would heal many gaping wounds. For goodness sakes I said sorry at the age of 16 for many minor infractions like not putting my napkin in my lap or talking about secular music or giving a friend my teddybear, in fear of 20 minute pushup position, running casitas or worse. I think those who are calling us to bend down on our knees need to take some time for self reflection and practice what they preach. This would be the best testimony!!!
These are not rumors or just spiteful comments, I wish with all my heart they were. Please don't invalidate our experience with ignorance.

[Kathymcbain]

"I'm not sure why rumors like this start but logic tells me that ALL of the kids entering the program have issues of one kind or another and unfortunately they are probably not ALL going to be saved and some may even resent the effort....hence the trash-talk & rumors. Remember, the enemy will try to take advantage of the weaknesses in us and our children. Regarding the referenced book, since just hearing of it last night I obviously haven't read it but, I think we are all familiar with the recent controversy surrounding a young author and the book he had published and endorsed by Oprah's Book Club.....obviously it doesn't have to be true to be published and promoted as such. I have great hope for my son through his participation in this ministry and great faith that our Lord is in control. I encourage all of us to pray for those misguided souls that are still crying out for attention through their negative comments about New Horizons."

[B]I haven't felt the need to say anything on this discussion boards until now. However, I just can't ignore this message. First, you really have no basis on which to state that Julia's book is untrue other than the fact that you don't choose to believe it or agree with it. Second, simply because one doesnt agree with NHYM's way of doing things has absolutely nothing to do with the condition of our souls. I, for one, stand firmly against NHYM. Is my soul misguided? Nope, I don't think it is. And crying out for attention? I'm a fully functioning, college educated adult, with a wonderful family and life...I have no need to cry out for negative attention. I do, however, feel that it is important that I am free to state my disagreements with NHYM. If there is nothing wrong with the way that NHYM is doing things, then there should be no problem with past students creating a web site to share their experiences. If I was a parent looking for some type of care for my child, I would certainly want to explore all the information that I could find. Please don't judge past students based on our disagreements with NHYM.

[jeffkalom]

I find it interesting that Julia has failed to answer my questions regarding some of the discrepencies in her book as well. Here is a public posting from another student that was there with David and I during the same time period.

"lilmissy066" <lilmissy066@...>
Date: Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:41 pm
Subject: Re: Hey.... lilmissy066
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
Invite to Yahoo! 360º Invite to Yahoo! 360º

Hey Jeff....so many years to fill in!! After I left the DR I did not
return to live with my fam...lived with friends of the family in
another city...kind of a bummer since the objective was to bust your
butt and get back to them... but good all the same I
suppose...finished high school, then worked for about a year before
I met my husband...we married in '87 and this March will be 19 years
for us...have two great kids...my daughter will soon be 15 and my
son will turn 19 this year...they are the great accomplishments in
my life...love them to death!!! Kept in touch with Julie Owens for a
number of years...you probably remember her too...seem to have lost
touch over the past couple of years though...haven't been able to
locate too many other people....hopefully this will be a good
thing...I know I am a bit behind in what I am going to say next, but
picked up Julia Scheeres book this weekend....interesting...I was
there for a short period of time after she arrived and am having
difficulty relating to things the way she decribes them. Although I
also have issues with some of the practises in "The Programme"
(please bear with the Canadian spelling!!) I can't recall a lot of
the things she puts forth...I knew some of those people, and can't
imagine them behaving in the ways she depicts...I guess it is all a
matter of perspective...all in all I think NH was a beneficial
experience...for me at least....just my personal opinion....anyway I
will stop rambling....have no pics to post at this time so that you
can match the name to a face, as my computer crashed last week and
all was lost...will work on getting some soon and maybe that will
help...talk again later...bye for now...

Deb H.

--- In NewHorizonsStaff-Students@yahoogroups.com, jeff kalom
<jeffkalom2004@y...> wrote:
>
> Hello Deb !!
>
> I do remember your name, but I am not able to picture the face
with the name. I have my photo posted here under links. I am not
sure if it is viewable via clicking on the link. It is viewable via
copy and pasting it to your address bar though....how are you
doing?. It is soooooo.....awesome to find someone else that was
there with me. Please do tell me how you have been since our
alternative High School !!!
>
> Jeff Kalom
>

[onevoice]

What are these 'Discrepancies' you mention? Are they minor details-- or major differences that change the tenor of the program?

Are you saying that you are not aware the type of abusive behavior she cites? Are you denying that abuse has happened at NHYM?
Are you saying that the portrait she paints is wholly incorrect, and students are never subjected to degrading treatment or improper staff?

Or are you merely picking at the loose threads because you don't like the color of the cloth?

[jeffkalom]

The color of the cloth is irrelevant when the fabric has holes in it to begin with. If I was the only one here refuting the factual basis of the book, then my own perspective would be in question. The reality is there are 3 of us that were there during the time period in question that all have similar recollections of memories. This leads me to believe that my own perspective on the events of 1984 have a larger merit of truth to them as opposed to the author of the book.

[onevoice]

So what exactly is it that you are disputing?

[jeffkalom]

Would you like me to go page by page here? I can if you would like. I still have the book. Somehow I have the feeling that this debate will end with no productive accomplishments though.

[onevoice]

I'm just curious.
It seems that people on this board are very intent on slandering her and discrediting her book; and I have to wonder why.

[jeffkalom]

The book discredits itself. I have not seen any public slander here of the author. I knew some of the staff that she described, and I can only tell you that they did NOT act in that fashion towards me or anyone else that I saw in 1984.

[Charlie2]

Jeff,
There happen to be several people at Escuela Caribe during that time who agree with Julia. Also it doesn't seem like the woman you quoted even knew Julia at all so I don't understand why you were quoting her. I have asked the mother who left a response about Julia being wrong "like the guy on Oprah" if she cared to talk more about her response and she respectfully declined, as well as the board member who said that "many students" have recanted their statements on nhym-alumni.org, he has failed to give me any names and I have asked every single person on there and none of them have recanted their statements. The question is begged then, why do you insist that her story is false? And if so why not pursue the truth in a better way than on chat boards? The program is not perfect and has many things they need to take responsibility for including mistreatment of youth. I have said it before and will keep saying it, this would be the best testimony and would give room for more growth and healing than anything else. I wish with all my heart that NHA could be a better program and that youths had not been mistreated but these are the facts believe it or not.

[jeffkalom]

If there happens to be several people, why are they not mentioned both in her book as well as in any of these forums?

I will be more than happy to discuss the remainder of your posting, but would prefer to start with your initial question and progress from there.

Jeff

[Charlie2]

Why would Julia mention these other students who also have greivances against NHA in her book; which coincindentally is not only about NHA but about her life? Of the students who share these greivances some choose to be vocal (and I believe you have heard from them) and some don't. Also not all are from her same time period in the DR, which indicates to me that this was not a one time incident by a few poorly chosen staff but that it was a consistent way of handling the youth in their care. In saying this I still want it to be clear that my intentions are not to create defensive walls but to create connections, I believe that NHA can and has been a life changing force in young people's lives, however there are clear and specific problems that have been an epidemic from the mid '80s to today or atleast 2002 which is the last year I have heard thus far from someone who had a greivance. The program needs to own up to these greivances and give them due consideration. I am not sure Jeff why you are the voice of NHA? Are you on the board or in some type of leadership position? If so, awesome, you can help create change if you are willing to open you eyes and see that it is needed. If not, why have I not gotten any responses from the David Dillon who is on the board and on this site?
I was a student both in the DR and in Marion. The DR was frightening, and Marion was nothing in comparison (I was not on 0-1st by then so I don't know that side of the coin) I still had run ins with egotisical staff but my house staff was nothing short of a miracle b/c they were the first in my 2 years in the program to treat me like a human being and I witnessed them doing the same to even the most precocious of 0 levellers. I am saying this to bear witness that good staff do come and work at NHA and so there is hope, but honestly I have no idea how these staff would have reacted to the culture of power and suppression that reigns in the DR. I am thankful they were never there.

[Charlie2]

WOW!!! I had no idea, and still have no idea what Cubs.com is and who you are and how you relate to NHA. Did you go to school there? Very interesting info.

[Jeanne_Livergood]

How long ago was your son in the program? Where did he go? Canada? Marion or the DR?

[Charlie2]

A former parent, my interest is peaked....what is your take on NH? How is your son now?

[Charlie2]

What happened to the former parent? His comments must have gotten him booted off. I guess some things hit a little too close to home. To bad, I would have liked to hear how his son was doing.
Anyway back to the business at hand....

[Admin]

For the record, the user PoliceOfficerInFla, who posted earlier in this thread, has not been censored in any way by New Horizons. According to our logs, they deleted their own posts shortly after they were posted. We want to facilitate open-minded discussion that is respectful of others and their views.

[jeffkalom]

Charlie2, it appears that poster was NOT a former parent. :o

[Charlie2]

That was wierd...well thanks Jeff. I guess we'll never know who that guy was.
But anyway, I am still wondering why David Dillon has not responded and would like some clarification as to why no one is talking anymore after making such strong accusations against Julia and the "others". Am I to take this silence as remorse for speaking out of turn, if not please respond and let me know what has been discovered in regards to the past dialogue.

[ThomasW]

1) The nhym-alumni.org was not put together by Julia Scheeres, and she even declined to have a link to anything about her book on it, although I am of the opinion that she definitely should.
2) I am yet to hear any actual descrepencies regarding the book. No, a book doesn't have to be non-fiction to get published, but I can tell you the methods described in the book are still in full play. I was there 2000-2002.
I still don't understand how they could justify not firing a houserather after it was found out that he was molesting his students. And Mr. Blossum told me that, that's not a rumor.

[ThomasW]

I asked several months ago what some of the descrepancies were, but still have gotten no response. You claim to be able to go on for pages and pages, but so far have done nothing but reiterate that there are indeed disrepancies.

[Bobbie]

In accordance with the forum rules and guidelines, which you agreed to during registration, this post has been removed. The relevant section of your registration agreement is posted below.

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.

[ThomasW]

You're welcome Bobbie.
Still, many months later, I do not see any response to the discrepency claim.
Am I missing something? Is there a page on this site that has a comprehensive list proving that Julia never even went to the DR? Or that she made up the bad stuff? Is this just going to be ignored?
If there are things that are not true, it would be helpful to the Program to expose them. You can't just denounce the book and assume everyone will believe you.

[Bobbie]

In accordance with the forum rules and guidelines, which you agreed to during registration, this post has been removed. The relevant section of your registration agreement is posted below.

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.

[Bobbie]

Thomas --
did you notice that because I spoke the truth my message was removed?
I'm glad that you were able to read it before I was so rudely "erased".
Shades of Stalin!

You're welcome Bobbie.
Still, many months later, I do not see any response to the discrepency claim.
Am I missing something? Is there a page on this site that has a comprehensive list proving that Julia never even went to the DR? Or that she made up the bad stuff? Is this just going to be ignored?
If there are things that are not true, it would be helpful to the Program to expose them. You can't just denounce the book and assume everyone will believe you.

[Sarah_Smith]

The means to refute things in this book are found in the files of Escuela Caribe. These cannot be made public to everyone because they are confidential and deal with the lives of many former students. They have been and are being examined regularly by accrediting agencies. This it the proper way for any organization to be audited or accredited.

New Horizon states their philosophy up front. We as parents are aware of that and we learn more about it as our children spend time in their care. If we feel we can't support that philosophy, we can remove our children from their program. The exception would be a court placement and even then, parents have input.

I do wish that concerned persons would spend more time supplying potential parents with alternatives that could be considered. This would be a great encouragement to parents who are trying to make very hard decisions.

I still feel, as I posted on another thread, that the New Horizons web site is not the place for anyone to expect to be able to downgrade and disparrage the staff. Nor should they have to justify each individual incident that is brought up. Mass apologies do not meet the needs of any individual specifically either. Bobbi, if you want to accomplish anything at all between you and New Horizons, it would be better done on an individual level.

Sarah (a current parent who is trying to use the mind God gave me to evaluate this program on a daily basis)

[Bobbie]

"I do wish that concerned persons would spend more time supplying potential parents with alternatives that could be considered."

There are plenty of alternatives out there.
My hope (and my agenda) is that the abuses committed at Ecsuela Caribe will NEVER be considered as an alternative to a humane and healthful orientation to children.

"Bobbi, if you want to accomplish anything at all between you and New Horizons, it would be better done on an individual level."

I am doing what I can on my individual level -- a LOT more than just posting here, believe me!

The posts you have seen written here (before they were removed) are just the TIP of the ICEBERG of my involvement in protesting this situation.

Jim Jones was from Indiana. Eighty children (US citizens) were murdered in the Jonestown "suicides" in November 1978.

NEVER AGAIN!!! "The price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance." --Thomas Jefferson

The means to refute things in this book are found in the files of Escuela Caribe. These cannot be made public to everyone because they are confidential and deal with the lives of many former students. They have been and are being examined regularly by accrediting agencies. This it the proper way for any organization to be audited or accredited.

New Horizon states their philosophy up front. We as parents are aware of that and we learn more about it as our children spend time in their care. If we feel we can't support that philosophy, we can remove our children from their program. The exception would be a court placement and even then, parents have input.

I do wish that concerned persons would spend more time supplying potential parents with alternatives that could be considered. This would be a great encouragement to parents who are trying to make very hard decisions.

I still feel, as I posted on another thread, that the New Horizons web site is not the place for anyone to expect to be able to downgrade and disparrage the staff. Nor should they have to justify each individual incident that is brought up. Mass apologies do not meet the needs of any individual specifically either. Bobbi, if you want to accomplish anything at all between you and New Horizons, it would be better done on an individual level.

Sarah (a current parent who is trying to use the mind God gave me to evaluate this program on a daily basis)

[ThomasW]

The means to refute things in this book are found in the files of Escuela Caribe. These cannot be made public to everyone because they are confidential and deal with the lives of many former students. They have been and are being examined regularly by accrediting agencies. This it the proper way for any organization to be audited or accredited.

New Horizon states their philosophy up front. We as parents are aware of that and we learn more about it as our children spend time in their care. If we feel we can't support that philosophy, we can remove our children from their program. The exception would be a court placement and even then, parents have input.

I do wish that concerned persons would spend more time supplying potential parents with alternatives that could be considered. This would be a great encouragement to parents who are trying to make very hard decisions.

I still feel, as I posted on another thread, that the New Horizons web site is not the place for anyone to expect to be able to downgrade and disparrage the staff. Nor should they have to justify each individual incident that is brought up. Mass apologies do not meet the needs of any individual specifically either. Bobbi, if you want to accomplish anything at all between you and New Horizons, it would be better done on an individual level.

Sarah (a current parent who is trying to use the mind God gave me to evaluate this program on a daily basis)

The means to refute those things, as far as I know, are not in the files, because most things are not put into files. And I know they are not sent to parents. One time because I was tying my shoe and didn't notice that my teacher was talking to me, a few minutes later I was grabbed by the collar, dragged down stairs, slammed into walls, yelled at for a few minutes, and then given what you may know as 'units of concern,' which is the application of a strap meant to motivating donkeys to the rear. I have since read the weekly email to my parents, which says I had an authority problem with female staff that week. What I know of the file was that I was required to sign a paper saying I was disciplined for being disrespectful to my teacher by tying my shoe and not looking at her when she was speaking to me. There was nothing about the dragging down stairs or any of that, or slamming into the wall, and yelling is very common, and is never put on the discipline reports. the only thing that is recorded is the perceived offense, and the official conscequence.
A shoot first and maybe ask questions later method is used, and with the staff's sense of absolute certainty, assumed offences are punished just like overt ones. The grievance procedure, called 'coming back,' requires one to wait at least ten minutes after the situation has ended, meaning we cannot attempt to explain anything. We can only be punished, and if the staff was wrong, then too bad, the punihsment was already meted out.
In another incident after all the students in the house were required to wirte a paper on everything they had done against the rules, I recieved seven units for 'lying' by not admitting talking in the bedroom at night. But I never had talked in the bedroom at night. I was not told of the charges when disciplined (for 'lying' and a number of other things.) When given the paper to sign admitting that I was disciplined for the offences, I was told to just note that I did not agree with it (which didn't matter, because they don't believe anything a zero leveler says when accused) and sign it anyway. When I asked my housefather about it, he said he was sure that he had read that I had talked in the bedroom. I asked with whom, and he replied that he would check. It turned out that no one had accused me of this, but "I'm pretty sure you did." The only thing in the file would be that I officially lied and was punished, and a note written at the bottom saying that I disagreed.
At first it was just 'venom,' now it's 'we can't prove it because we can't release the files.'
If what any of us on the nhym-alumni.org site are saying is not true, then I can understand why we would be deleted. But as far as 'disparraging' goes, if saying what happened is disparraging, then I guess I can understand why the posts would be deleted. But not for matters of truth. John 8:32

[Sarah_Smith]

I looked up John 8:32. Here is John 8:31,32 in "the Message"

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."

The context was Jesus explaining to the Pharisees who He was and how he relates to the Father. He was talking about how we judge things with our senses but He is living on a different scale. All that to say that noone can take that verse out of context anymore than you can any other verse. Even if all you say really happened, it does not mean that reciting the facts will make you free.

The things you say about your stay in the DR do not make me curious, they make me sad. I cann't reconcile them with anything I know to be true about the staff down there. I really can't say anymore. I hope you are at peace with what you are doing and saying. At least as at peace as my husband and I are about our son's stay in the DR and the progress he is making.

Sarah

[ThomasW]

I cann't reconcile them with anything I know to be true about the staff down there. I really can't say anymore. I hope you are at peace with what you are doing and saying.

Sarah

That's because if they put pictures of stuff like that on the brochure, it may cause parents to look elsewhere (not that that would do any good; I got sent to another program with a similar sales pitch, but they have since been shut down by the government.) Every bit of information that comes to you is controlled. Letters have to be re-rwitten if staff does not approve of the content, some of my letters from my mother were even blacked out, on phone calls staff sits there and listens, records, and later analyzes what is said. I have heard-I can't confirm- of students being put in the QR for a bad phone conversation (to imagine the QR, just think of doing curls with five pound weights for twelve hours, for three days in a row.) There are things we can't talk about on the phone, like 'discipline' for obvious reasons, and we can't talk about going home unless the Program is already working towards a release date, we're not allowed to tell parents that we're sorry or anything indicating that we have changed, because that may cause us to come home too early. There's a number of little things that are not supposed to be said, and the staff member, usually the housefather, sits nearby and listens to assure that nothing undesirable is said.
As for the individual staff that referred to, Mr. Grant, the guy that dragged me down the stairs left in 04. The guy who punished me for 'lying' is currently the Assistant Director.
These were not by any means isolated incidents. There is a systematic use of techniques such as those, and are employed almost daily. (not to each student daily, but to someone every day.)
I just didn't want to take up copious amounts of time and space, because believe it or not, I actually do have better things to do.
But as for peace with what I am saying? I feels great to say it to someone who is actually involved with the Program somehow.
Now I just need to get around to telling my parents. that'll be fun.

[Sarah_Smith]

Thomas W

I have read your posts and thought about them. So have many others. I will never agree to what you are saying. You will not agree to what I am saying. Can we leave it at that? I believe that God is working out all the events in all our lives, whether we like or understand it. I am not very good at dropping out of conversations but I am going to try to add no more to this one. If you want to start another I would love that. What are the positive things that are happening in your life now?

For me, I am watching my 15 year old son grow up and mature in a fairly normal manner. That is such a blessing and so fun to watch. He struggles off and on but so do all of us. We had a fun time this summer while he was off school and I was off work. We went to a record number of movies together and ate out for lunch together. My poor husband had to work everday so he missed out.

Sarah

[ThomasW]

Well, the positive things are that I am days or weeks away from having my first son, Dylan. That's not all the pos things, but that's the only one I've been thinking about for a while, so I'll leave it at that.

[Sarah_Smith]

Thomas,

Sorry I didn't answer quicker. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) That is awesome news. I trust things have come along nicely in the last two weeks for you and your new family. Enjoy those first weeks. I have three sons and I didn't have any of them in their first week of life. Our oldest was premature and on a respirator for awhile so I couldn't hold him. Our second was adopted and he was 6 weeks old when we got him. Our youngest was adopted and we got him at 1 week of age. I remember how much fun it was to hold and do things with such a cute little bundle. Babies are a reminder to us of how wonderful new life is! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Sarah

[GregOhio]

I'd have to say that if the incidents in "Jesus Land" were untrue, NHYM would have sued over it. As for the confidentiality of files, they can be entered as evidence under seal, so no one's privacy would be compromised by taking this to a court of law.

As for the notion that regulating agencies have signed off on the programs, first, state regulators are woefully understaffed and underfunded. They usually only pay attention to cases that result in a student's death, which has happened recently in some of these camps (not NHYM's as far as I know). The other thing is that two of the camps are in the Dominican Republic. It has been suggested that the purpose of hosting camps/schools beyond the reach of US law is to minimize legal "interference." Running a school like Ecuela Caribe in the US would be legally perilous.

FACT SHEET: BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FACILITIES
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/br...hures_1220.html

The means to refute those things, as far as I know, are not in the files, because most things are not put into files. And I know they are not sent to parents. One time because I was tying my shoe and didn't notice that my teacher was talking to me, a few minutes later I was grabbed by the collar, dragged down stairs, slammed into walls, yelled at for a few minutes, and then given what you may know as 'units of concern,' which is the application of a strap meant to motivating donkeys to the rear. I have since read the weekly email to my parents, which says I had an authority problem with female staff that week. What I know of the file was that I was required to sign a paper saying I was disciplined for being disrespectful to my teacher by tying my shoe and not looking at her when she was speaking to me. There was nothing about the dragging down stairs or any of that, or slamming into the wall, and yelling is very common, and is never put on the discipline reports. the only thing that is recorded is the perceived offense, and the official conscequence.
A shoot first and maybe ask questions later method is used, and with the staff's sense of absolute certainty, assumed offences are punished just like overt ones. The grievance procedure, called 'coming back,' requires one to wait at least ten minutes after the situation has ended, meaning we cannot attempt to explain anything. We can only be punished, and if the staff was wrong, then too bad, the punihsment was already meted out.
In another incident after all the students in the house were required to wirte a paper on everything they had done against the rules, I recieved seven units for 'lying' by not admitting talking in the bedroom at night. But I never had talked in the bedroom at night. I was not told of the charges when disciplined (for 'lying' and a number of other things.) When given the paper to sign admitting that I was disciplined for the offences, I was told to just note that I did not agree with it (which didn't matter, because they don't believe anything a zero leveler says when accused) and sign it anyway. When I asked my housefather about it, he said he was sure that he had read that I had talked in the bedroom. I asked with whom, and he replied that he would check. It turned out that no one had accused me of this, but "I'm pretty sure you did." The only thing in the file would be that I officially lied and was punished, and a note written at the bottom saying that I disagreed.
At first it was just 'venom,' now it's 'we can't prove it because we can't release the files.'
If what any of us on the nhym-alumni.org site are saying is not true, then I can understand why we would be deleted. But as far as 'disparraging' goes, if saying what happened is disparraging, then I guess I can understand why the posts would be deleted. But not for matters of truth. John 8:32

[Merilyn_Jackson]

Hello,
Not true. My daughter has been in Marion since June 2007 and is still there. They have let some people go,due to less children. Only 2 houses going there at present. Keep praying to our Lord to help others who need NHYM find them and send there children. Were you a student or parent?? I'm a parent.
God Bless,
Merilyn (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[purorganic]

Are the two houses still open. I heard that Phil and Chuck Redwine thinking about leaving the program. Is that true?

THR

[Sarah_Smith]

The Marion program and the DR program are still functioning with both boys and girls houses open. I have not heard that Chuck Redwine is leaving. I am not sure who you mean by Phil although Chuck Redwine did go by his middle name, Phil, for quite awhile but has gone to using Charles or Chuck.

Sarah