Weighed down by the past

“My name is Brittany. I went to Copper Canyon Academy, in Arizona, from October of 2009 until December of 2010. I was 16 at the time. CCA was not my first program (it was my third), but it is the one I remember the most.

Seminars are what I remember vividly though. In the first seminar, we were forced to relive all of our trauma out loud with girls we did not know. I remember sitting in front of a mirror for hours in a dark room. We were told to think of all the bad things that had happened in our lives. We were not allowed to do anything else until we had “cried it out.”

Later that day we did an exercise called “Mom and Dad,” where we confronted our parents. We were sitting in a circle, facing outwards. At one point a girl got so upset that she got up, picked up her chair, and threw it. It hit me in the head. I was denied any kind of care because it would disrupt my progress. I had a headache for days after the incident.

In seminar three, later on in my stay at CCA, I remember being down at a river, where all the girls who admitted being gay were “baptized.” I watch a girl get hit with metal hangers because that is how she felt her parents would punish her if she did not do well. As for me, they made me burn some of the few pictures I had with my family. Saying I needed to move on from the past and learn to be better. They made me burn journals that had my sincere feelings in them because they had entries of a boy I had known, which they had found during a room raid. The worst part for me was being forced to burn my favorite book. Books were my safe haven, and they knew that. I was told I would be stuck there for much longer if I did not, so I did.

I was told I had Borderline Personality Disorder, but not until the end of my program. I had been medicated with antipsychotics for over a year, off of the assumption of a psychiatrist who saw me once a month for five minutes. As an adult, I found out I never had or have that disorder.

Ten years later, I have no relationship with my family, and I have an extremely hard time keeping any kind of relationship due to abandonment issues. That is what hurts me the most. After everything and all this time, after doing what I was forced to do, they no longer talk to me because I “faked” a program or I am not the same person they remember.”

Copper Canyon Academy was purchased by Aspen Education Group, which collapsed after several children died while attending their residential treatment programs. Then the previous owners bought it back and it is now named Sedona Sky Academy. Basically nothing have changed in treatment approach since Brittany was there

Source of the original testimony (https://www.breakingcodesilence.net/testimonial/brittanysstory" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Link)

This testimony was located on Google Maps (Source)

I attended this academy 4 years ago.

Some of the staff is very encouraging and sweet, however this program is a complete and total waste of time and money. The pictures that are online are an inaccurate description of what your daughter's next year of her life will be like. While yes, there are horses at the facility, there is no horseback riding or anything of the sort.

My education has always been very important to me, yet when I left this school I was so far behind. I had to retake classes in high school, and my Algebra credit was not valid in public school. I feel that a former student's thoughts on this program is very important and indeed valid. The only thing that Wings of Faith Academy gave to me that helped me when I went home was fear of going back as is a very depressing environment. I benefited much more from learning from life experiences now that I look back. I am grateful for my family's intentions, however this is not the right place for any young girl looking for guidance.

This testimony was found on Google Maps (Source)

I am a former student of Wings of Faith. This is not the place to send your child. I was there because of family issues, and a way to get me out of them. I did not deserve to go through this program, and no one does. These reviews have to be fake. There is no reason any child should go through this.

Debbie Martin, your not right. Legally you may be, but there is nothing in that caged house that could possibly be close. This is not a good place, and not even a school at all. Don't make this an option for your child. They do so many weird things, and trick you into thinking it's right. If you want to hear more of the truth; this place used to be called "Refuge of Grace" look that up before clicking here. She changed the name, and website into a wings of faith lie. God is not a tool for punishment, and neither is this lock down facility to human life. It makes me sick to think of this place. Hope this will take it out of your thoughts.

More information

The facility used according to various sources to go under the name Refuge of Grace but was rebranded due to poor reviews on the Internet

This testimony was found on Yelp

THIS PLACE IS FUCKING INSANE. First of all the people who work here are so mean like everyday they wake you up by yelling " get up." no love here. Second of all this place does not work on your mental stability, when my daughter was there not once did they ask how she was doing or counsel her in any form. All they do when your upset is say god can fix it when we all know that not true.

Also when I was going to pick up my daughter, Debbie was very hesitant and wanted her to stay so she could get more money. This environment is very hostile for children and will not better their behavior, if anything it makes them more depressed and feel like dying. My daughter wanted to die the whole time she was so sad. Also,their website and video gives extremely false info and is a total lie. Also is not at all what the place is like, in fact, they show the nearby campus of Agape, claiming it to be theirs.

My daughter felt violated when the first thing they did was strip her down and make sure she didn't have anything on her. My daughter has shared tons of stories about this place that did not make me happy which is apart of the reason I pulled her out early. The staff members are only there for the money, they couldn't care less about the girls. So, if your considering sending your daughter here just know you'll be making the biggest mistake in your life. Its way overpriced and not worth any penny.So I beg of you. DON'T SEND YOUR CHILD HERE.THANKS.ITS A SHIT FACTORY.

More information

The facility used to go under the name "City of Refuge" but was renamed Wings of Faith Academy in order to avoid bad press.

This testimony was found on Yelp

Please whatever you do, do not send your daughter here. Many parents may say yes send your daughter here its the best place possible, but sadly it is not. Yes, i am a former student and i can say from experience this is not the place you want to send your child.

I was woken up at 3am being taken out of my bed by people i had never seen in my life, i was then put in handcuffs and shoved into a car to be taken 12 hours away from my home. I was so panicked and had no idea what was going on, they would not allow me to call my parents. I was promised a phone call as soon as i arrived to the school. I was then taken into the bathroom with the owner - Debbie Martin - and she then told me that i was not allowed to talk to my parents until i was there for a month and that i would be living there for a year or longer. I immediately broke down in tears, not to mention this woman was not sympathetic at all. She then told me i needed to take off all my clothes so she could check to see if i had anything on me.

That was just the beginning. I was terrified, i had no idea where i was or why i was even there. My parents are not together and had a custody agreement at the time, my mom was never notified as to where i was. The whole time i was at WOF i was told by the staff and Mrs. Debbie that my mom wanted nothing to do with me, come to find out that was all a lie. My mom looked for me that whole time i was gone and nobody would tell her where i was. These people made me feel like i was nothing, like if i didnt live by their standards that i was going straight to hell. We were taught to be housekeepers and thats all we were good for. We were never allowed to speak our minds or ever tell anybody how we were feeling. If you didnt have something to say about the bible then you were expected to keep your mouth quiet.

This place is a 24/7 lock down facility, which is not mentioned anywhere on their website. Your never allowed to be by yourself and somebody is always watching you. We were barely ever allowed to go outside and if we did it was maybe twice a month or to get on the bus to go to church. This place is not the place you want to send your daughter, so please dont. So many of the girls that i talk to suffer from depression, anxiety, and even ptsd. One of my close friends sadly passed away from a drug overdose after leaving this school. They make you feel like your nothing if you dont follow their rules and biblical standards, it makes you question every little detail about your life. Also, the schooling that they offer is not accepted in many states. I had no credits for my junior year of high school that would transfer, and i had to work very very hard to get through my senior year with the many credits that wouldnt transfer over.

So please please before you think about sending your daughter here, just read this and take my word as a former student. This place needs to be shut down, not have more students to put down on. I would never wish on a single person to be put through what my friends and i have been put through. Just please dont let this be your last resort for your daughter. Thank you.

More information

The facility used to go under the name "City of Refuge" but was renamed Wings of Faith Academy in order to avoid bad press.

This testimony was found on Yelp

Do not send your kids here, almost ruined my life. Very physically and mentally abusive. I'm now a sophomore at the University of Missouri. Thank God I got out of there when I did or I'd probably be living on the streets.

I gained a significant amount of weight while I was there due to the constant anxiety and depression I was was battling with. I remember at times becoming very suicidal (never in my life before I was there had I had thoughts like that). I contemplated purposely breaking a bone or cracking my head open just so I could go to the hospital to get help from someone. I was taken in the middle of the night, hand cuffed, and told I was going to a camp for a week. I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone, my mom just watched as this strange man pulled me out of my room in my underwear. I tried to run away my third day there and got caught in a barbed wire fence. I had many deep lacerations on my hands, back, and legs. I was denied even a band aid. I still have one of the scars on my thigh (i will insert a picture). After I tried to run away I was put on discipline and not allowed to talk to others, eat as much food as others, or drink as much water as others. I remember dreaming about food every night, I was starving.

This also affected my schoolwork, as I was to spend most of my time writing and memorizing scripture, INSTEAD of schoolwork. Not that it mattered anyway.. they placed me in classes 2 grades below what I was supposed to be in and at the end of my 6 months there, only 2 of them transferred back to my regular high school. Our "teachers" weren't even qualified to teach!! One worked at Walmart previously and the other didn't even graduate high school! My acne medication and ADHD medication were taken away. They didn't give me a reason for doing so. They strip searched and humiliated me when I arrived. They forced us to do manual labor for free (mucking horse stalls, yard work, mopping up flooded rooms). They made me do jumping jacks for 3 hours once for losing my pen (they thought I was hiding it to use as a weapon). I had all of my sports bras taken away for sharing with a girl who's mom didn't give enough of a shit to send her any.

There was an 8 YEAR OLD GIRL there for no reason. Her parents literally just didn't want her. She is still there, and I'm sure they still haven't come to visit her or sent her a birthday present. (i got out in 2017, so this will be her 4th year there. Child services needs to come get this girl. Her name is Alicia Levy. They had us fake a photoshoot and pretend to have fun so they could update their website photos. I'll insert a picture of me, Alicia, and another one of my friends pretending to bake. (we never got to cook while there, except once on Christmas.) They made us take pictures pretending to play volleyball and ride horses. We didn't ride horses, we didn't play sports, we hardly even got to go outside. They preached heavily against being gay and forced their strict religious views onto us.

This "school" used to be called Refuge of Grace and had to switch locations because of child abuse allegations. My mom lied to the school and told them my dad was out of the picture, when really he was working in another country. When he found out where I was he immediately came to get me. They tried to convince him to keep me there and tried to make him sign an agreement that in any case of injury, illness or even DEATH that they would not be held accountable. LMAOOO. I witnessed girls constantly crying, self harming, going through withdrawals, crying out for help, and none of them were given the proper care or attention they deserved. THIS PLACE MAKES "REBELLIOUS" TEENS WORSE. I smoked weed a few times. I drank at parties. WHO THE FUCK DIDN'T WHEN THEY WERE KIDS??? If you send your child here, you are supporting child abuse. I hope no one has to feel as unimportant, ugly, stupid, worthless and helpless as I did while I was there.

FUCK WINGS OF FAITH. I am an intelligent, beautiful, kind, brave, selfless woman. And they had no part in that.

I hope someone found this helpful!

More information

The facility was renamed Wings of Faith Academy in order to avoid bad press.

This testimony was found on another blog

I really want to save kids' lives, the humiliation, the inhumanity, the conditions and treatment. If I suffer just a little more, It's a small price to pay.

I loved my life that I had going for me. I was a sophomore with decent grades, a really cute boyfriend who treated me like a princess and some really awesome friends, I was always at the parties, I had made a name for myself, everyone knew Jennifer.

I was born and raised in a small town not from from Seattle, called Poulsbo, Washington. I was raised by my mother and had very little contact with my Father. They had been divorced for quite some time now. I attended school there and was considered part of the popular crowd. Life was good. I came down with a mental illness called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) on top of being bi-polar, and having depression. and started smoking marijuana all when I was 14 years old. It wasn't documented until over a year later when my doctor told my mother that I was a good kid, I just had some issues that could be taken care of with the right dosage of medication. My mother and I were fine for awhile but soon things were back to the way they had been before. Her and I started fighting more, and I was losing the good reputation I had worked so hard to achieve. I was slumping into average and since I had always been an "A"student with all the popular friends, my mother got worried, and when she worried, I suffered the consequences of her fears. The fighting went off and on for 2 more years. I continued to use, and looked for comfort in the back seats of cars. I didn't know how to communicate with my mother anymore. Maybe it was me finding my own path, maybe it was the fact that I was jealous of my little sister, maybe my medication dosage wasn't high enough, I don't know where it all went wrong. But it did.

Soon, we couldn't stand in the same room as each other and I told her I was going to live with my father again. Something we had tried a few years prior, but was an unsuccessful attempt. My Father being more of a child than I was at that time. My mother and I had our final fight, and I left in the middle of the night to my fathers house. When I arrived at my Dad's house, he said understood what had happened. but he didn't want my Mom to worry so he called her and told her where I was. She wanted to talk to me but I refused. She told my father the cops would be there soon to pick me up, and not to tell me. So I left, I went to my boyfriends house who lived within walking distance from my cousin who was also my best friend. I went back and fourth between their houses for a little over a week. I quit my job so the cops wouldn't be able to find me there and I worried what I was going to do when summer was over and I had to return to school. I had no where to go, little time and no money to devise a plan. I went back to my cousins house one morning to talk to her about my options. I later found out that my mother had manipulated her into telling her where I was. Her and I were sitting down watching "The Never Ending Story" when there was a loud knock at the door. My Aunt went to get the door and she slowly walked to the living room. "Jenny, it's for you." she said in a dis-hearted tone and she looked at the floor, her eyes refusing to meet mine. I think at that moment my heart stopped beating as I looked upon the officer that stood in the doorway. I couldn't move, I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. All time just stood still and I knew my life was about to change drastically. I wish I hadn't been so right.

The officer talked to me for awhile and I just got more and more angry the more I heard. In Washington State a child can legally run away from home at the age of 16. If a parent wants that child arrested, they have to have an imagination. As they took me out of the house to the police car waiting in the driveway, my Aunt pleaded with me how much my mother loved me and how she was just trying to help me. I turned and looked my mother in the face, who had been parked just down the street, and without and remorse, told her that I hated her. That was the first time I had ever told my mother that. I was taken from my cousins house to the nearest juvenile facility, and held in CRC, a place for apprehended runaways When they realized they had no reason to hold me, that I never tried to kill my family, the reason I was arrested in the first place. I sat in CRC and stewed ways to get back at my Mother. I refused her phone calls and sat quietly.

One day I was taken from the room and put in a conference room with my Mother, Father, and Step-Father, and a few mediators. I pleaded to go live with my father because the relationship between my mother and I was not healthy and I felt like I couldn't forgive her for what she had put me through the past few days. She said, "I haven't decided what I am going to do with you yet, but you living with your Father is not an option." My Father and I both pleated again. Again with no prevail. I was escorted back to my room in CRC. where I spent the rest of the day. The following morning I awoke and thought to myself, whats the worst she can do? That was the LAST TIME I ever even thought that about my mother. I got a phone call later that day from my Mom. She had made special arrangements for me to stay in CRC for a few extra days while she got the "details" set up. I asked her what she was talking about and she hesitated... "I'm sending you to a boot camp in Montana." I asked her what she was talking about and she began to explain, but every word she spoke made my blood boil hotter and hotter until The sound of her voice made me sick. I hung up on her and thought about my life and how it was going to change. I wasn't too upset because I thought it would give my body that edge I was looking for, I thought of it as a 24 hour live-in gym. And I wasn't too angry with the idea. I still thought it was unfair of my mother to do that to me. I felt like she was just tossing me out like a dirty diaper. My life was none of her business, but she was determined to make it hers.

The next day the phone was for me again. It was my Mom, and the CRC staff recommended that I hear her out. I obliged. She told me she changed her mind and a smile swept over my face. But before I could say anything she quickly added, I'm sending you to a behavioral program in Mexico. I threw the phone off the desk and it hit the floor. I screamed a few choice words and ran up the stairs to my assigned room. I had heard about these places, the places that really bad kids go. I kept thinking, all I want to do is live with my Dad. She came by to talk to me and I recommended to the staff that they NOT place us in the same room because they didn't want to deal with an assault charge on my record. I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself. So she dropped off the pamphlets and left. I read all about how "wonderful" Casa by the Sea was, In A beautiful part of Mexico, I can have the best schooling, meet life long friends, and be a happier person. I eased up on the idea. Okay, so my boyfriend and I would have to spend some time apart but I could still call him every night and write him and my friends. I was told "It's just like college, but your not supposed to leave" I thought, cool, college? sounds alright, a few parties, maybe a little drinking, some cute boys for eye candy, catch a nice tan. And above all else, I didn't have to see my Mom. I was wrong. I wish I would have known how wrong I was.

But still in a defiant mind frame I told my mother they'd have to drag my dead body there, because I wasn't going. She said that she had already arranged the transportation. I was extremal confuse when she said she had hired Rudy and Maria for $2,000 + expenses to escort me there.

Early one of the following mornings, August 11th 2001 my room was unlocked and one of the staff members called my name to come get ready. It was about 4:30am, but I hadn't slept. I quickly showered, got ready, and waited until 6:00am for Rudy and Maria to show up. Rudy talked to me calmly and told me I could make this as easy or as hard as I wanted. I told him I would comply and he held my belt loop on my pants and I was told to put my hands in my pockets. I did as I was told and walked to the car, my mother was behind me crying and saying, " I love you Jennifer, I only do this because I love you." I shot her one last dirty look and got into the car.

"So are we driving all the way there?" I asked. They laughed from the front seat. "No silly were flying." Maria replied. She was a very pretty Mexican who in the next 10 hours, I would really enjoy spending my time with. I was excited, I had never been out of the state, let alone out of the country, never been on an airplane, I was like a kid in a candy store, they kept saying all day long that they had never had an escort they liked as well as me. During our layover we went to In-and-Out Burger, and Krispy Kreme doughnut's. I had a blast that day, until we crossed the boarder and began the journey into Mexico. All around me was poverty, naked children, and boxes made into homes. I began to appreciate what I had left in the states.

"Were here!" Maria said. I looked at the gates in disbelief. "Your joking right?" No. I wish they had been. We drove in and I was taken immediately and stripped of my belongings.My clothes were taken down to my underwear, in front of another student and a staff member. Everything was taken from me, and I was put into a uniform and placed into a classroom. everyone looked at me but everyone looked the same. The student introduced me to the staff member in charge, but I didn't understand her. "Does everyone speak Spanish?" I asked. The student laughed and said you do too. Good luck kid, this is Ginger, your new buddy, you'll do fine here, just allow yourself to change. Ginger asked the woman in charge something in Spanish and was given permission. She looked at me and said, "Okay we have permission to talk. This is the rule book" she pulled out a collection of about 20 papers that were in a folder, "you can have mine I've memorized it, and I don't need it anymore. She began to try to explain the rules to me. I was very confused. Soon I began to catch on though. She explained that Levels are gained by attitude the level of change that has taken place within that person. It felt like a cross between a perfection contest and a cult. The prize? Everything you have ever known and loved.

I had never seen so many kids behave in such a fashion before. It was like they were programed. It was very scary. The first week I was there, they couldn't find me a water bottle, so I didn't get any water until 9 days later when I was finally given one, It was Mexico in August and I was denied water! But that was just the beginning.

The night I arrived happened to be uniform night, where we turn in out dirty uniforms and get new ones. I was in line to get a new uniform when the girl in front of me was not paying attention and fell behind in line. I whispered loudly, "Run!" so she would not get in trouble. Little did I know that the staff would interpret that was a Category 4 rule violation, run away plans. Before I could understand what was happening,I was sent to "R and R" more commonly known as "room restriction" I was there for 2 days until I was dismissed by the headmaster.

In R and R you are to sit with your nose one inch from the wall, with your legs folded under the weight of your body, your arms are to be held behind your back, they cannot touch the floor, your back or your other each other your back and neck must remain rigid and straight. Sooner than you might think, your arms fall asleep, your legs fall asleep, there is no blood going to them. They ache so badly it puts you into tears. They throb and just when you think you are going to collapse and endure the consequences, you get a bathroom break. 3 bathroom breaks. 3 meal breaks. Many people say, If I were you I would have just told them to screw themselves, but I've heard the screaming that comes for R and R sometimes. I never found out what happened that made the girls scream like that but I never wanted to find out.

You are supervised by 3 staff members who socialize in Spanish all day long. They do not talk to you, nor are you aloud to talk to them. You may not request permission to do anything. If you have to use the restroom you wait until it is offered. Besides, these 3 particular staff members didn't understand English anyways so it would have done me no good.

When I finally got out, people looked at me like I was a trouble maker, like I didn't fit in. I felt like an outcast. Everyone seemed like they were perfect. I didn't understand the rules, the society, or the language. I hated my life. Every day I would daydream about another suicidal fantasy but one in particular still etches itself in my brain. My favorite of all my horrible mental illusions was getting as close to the window as I could quickly grabbing a chair and breaking the window to dive face first through the window onto the the cement 2 stories below. It seemed to be the only thought that made me happy for months. I knew I could do it. But I wanted so badly to come home and be with my best friend and my boyfriend again that I never did. I regretted my decision every night when I layed down in my bed and a staff member monitored me while I cried myself to sleep. I honestly can't tell you why I never did it. I heard of a girl that killed herself in Tranquility Bay, Jamaica, another one of the W.W.A.S.P. (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs) and I closed my eyes and watched her face become mine as I lived out my dream again in my head. I found out later. Thats exactly how she died. Apparently I wasn't alone.

I could tell you hundreds of stories of how, when it would rain maggots would cover the ground and it was impossible to take a step without squishing them under your feet as you walked to the commodore to eat your meal's of mystery meat, rice and beans. The malnutrition and stress either made you lose incredible amounts of weight, or gain obscene amounts. I went from about 115 to 168 in 8 months. (I gained more than twice as much weight in the 8 months that I was there, then the 9 months I was pregnant) Or how you were to undress in front of 30 girls, and be monitored while you were given 5 minutes to shower under a steady drip of cold water. If you drank the water you were to be given a category 5 (the highest consequence) and put in R and R for drinking the water, because it was considered a self inflicted injury. The toilet paper was not to be flushed it sat in a bucket next to the toilet where it ofter spilled over onto the floor.

The sleeping quarters had huge amounts of mold behind the beds and made many girls sick. The fungus grew so rampid, girls constantly got diseases on their feet. I got one. I asked numerous times for medical treatment and was given none, still to this day I don't know what I had, but it ate away at the skin on my feet until they cracked and bled. I was switched from a top bunk to a bottom bunk because I was unable to get in and out of bed anymore and walking and exercising was difficult but expected none the less. Nothing was done and it just got worse until I got home and was able to properly bandage my feet with sports tape and neosporin. A few weeks and a daily foot bath later. It was gone.

Some of the worst experiences I have ever had to endure took place in that facility but I think the worst ones were when our bathroom privileges were taken away, because either we were "abusing our privileges" by using the restroom too often or we were on code silence (where the whole facility is not to talk at all, for no reason what so ever) Since talking was our only means of communicating, with permission mind you, because ANY form of non-verbal communicating, from nodding your head to smiling was NOT PERMITTED. So when we went on code silence how were we to communicate that we had to use the bathroom? We didn't. We sat there until we were asked if we had to go. Many girls wet themselves. Myself included, on 2 separate occasions. When we were denied our right as human beings to use the bathroom. It's humiliating to be a teenager and have to wet yourself in front of all of your peers.

Seminars were held every month and a half. From watching videos, and reading about cults, looking back I firmly believe thats what it was. A very intense 3 day brainwashing. They fish for what they want to hear and convince you of things that you have never thought of before. Some of it makes since I guess but most of it is completely crazy, and I feel so naive for falling for it. It makes me feel completely ignorant looking back on it.

In my opinion, Casa by the Sea is a brainwashing facility and a mirror image of a cult. I could write for days about the horrors going on in those facility's but if you haven't lived it you will never know. You'll never know whats it's like to be taken from your life against your will. To be brainwashed, stripped of your personality only to be replaced by someone that somebody created and placed in your head. To be abused mentally, emotionally, and in many cases physically. To be publicly humiliated and broken.

The horror doesn't stop there. I was pulled from the program when I was 17. When I turned 18. I knew my Mother could never send me back and I was like a loose tiger escaped from the circus. I went crazy. I dropped out of school, got in the worst fights of my life with my mother and with random people. I lived on the streets, did more drugs than ever before, and became a dancer to support my new habits. I self destructed and destroyed everything. I know everything I did was my choice. But I believe that it was a direct result of what I had gone through.

These Programs are bad for the children, in the long run, bad for the parents, and awful on society. I still don't understand why someone would pay a facility to abuse and neglect their children?

It's hard to tell you all of this. It brings up nightmares for me even now, More than 2 years later. I have a family of my own, I'm married with a beautiful baby girl. On the outside, I look fine. But I still cry in my sleep. I know that this will always haunt my life and my dreams.

However, W.W.A.S.P on the other hand thank you. You taught me many things, I appreciate you opening my eyes to the horrors that children endure, thank you for teaching me that I can trust no one. That everyone is out for themselves, and that everyone will stab you in the back sooner or later. But above all else thank you for teaching me that I can do ANYTHING if I fight hard enough. Cliche isn't it?

More information

Casa by the sea was closed by the authorities in Mexico due to suspicion of child abuse. (source)

This testimony was found on Yelp

You child would be better off in a prison. The show they put on for our tour is NOTHING like the horrific life my daughter suffered there.

As a parent I made a mistake of taking advice from an education consultent and a 8 week program helping my daughter deal with anxiety and depression. She was NOT at risk for alcohol or drug abuse. She did not lie or steal and she did not harm herself or anyone else.

I have heard from others that these "Wilderness " programs have ties to theraputic schools. I am starting to believe this more than ever because her so called "caring " therapist recomended this knowing she was not at high risk. According to my daughters current therapist she is suffering PTSD because of the trauma she was exposed to at Greenbrier. PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO EDUCATIONAL CONSULTENT or "WILDERNESS PROGRAM " unless you want your daughter to suffer. I suggest you try everything to find a good theraputic school if you must after trying everything else. I can tell you Greenbrier is NOT a good one at all. I had a gut instinct to get my daughter out of there before the year.

The food was horrible , verbal and physical assaults by other students was a reoccuring theme, there is no real education ( be prepared for your daughter to lose a year of proper education ) , theft is as normal as going to the bathroom there ! i forgot to mention for $90,000 a year my daughters therapist was NOT licensed . This place is a scam and so was the program that ecommended it. They take advantage of parents that would do anything for their children. It makes me sick that this DISGUSTING place still operates!!!

Source

This testmony was found on Google

PLP has been bribing and begging us parents to endorse and review their program. In good conscience I cannot and refuse to lie for these scoundrels. My child who was once bright, full of positivity, and optimism we enrolled for help with grades has come out a completely different student. He no longer cares for success like he once had, they broke his spirit down and treat the students worse than animals. My child is kind and known for this and that made him a target to the awful people at this program. They used unnecessary force on students for no given reason and scared them and told them they deserved it since they were enrolled at such a program for being bad. They often would take photos of the students and instruct them to make them appear happy for parents and their websites.

First of all I did not enroll my child to be treated this way. What the dishonest people promised me was much different and they knew exactly what to say to seem trustworthy. The experience for students is enough to break me and I did not get the impression PLP would be this way. They deceived us on purpose. They also primed us to turn a blind eye to complaints our children had and told us the students would say anything to manipulate us. I can assure you my child is honest to the bone and not a liar, he was there for personal reasons but PLP was very manipulative about him. I can see how parents who do not know or truly respect their own children could be easily manipulated.

His experience is real, he has been in treatment for CPTSD with real psychological professionals in the US and evaluated, and his account and what he saw other students experience is serious and caused lasting damages. I find the licensing of the staff at this program highly suspicious and there is info available indicating public records they are not actually licensed or qualified.

I am heart broken for my child who has depression and trauma he did not suffer prior to us enrolling him here. I thought we were doing what was best for him but the results show that they damaged my perfectly healthy and compassionate child I want my child back. I cannot get my money, his time, or our son back. PLP tried to force me to pay an extra month tuition for taking my son out to which I refused to engage with their scam further. They then refused to release his high school credits and transcript which holds him back a year academically. Our family is broken and financially ruined because of PLP. Damn these rotten good for nothing money grabbers.

Other information

The campus used to house Genesis by the Sea, which was a confirmed abusive program. However it is not know how much of the old employees who are still working there.

This testimony was found on another blog. Praise the author for telling his story

In November of 2003 i was admitted to Academy at Ivy Ridge.

My parents said i was going to boarding school and kinda tricked me into going. After arriving there the problems i had just grew bigger.. I became depressed and didnt feel like i had a reason to live anymore, in my mind i felt like my own parents had turned thier back on me without even realizing where they put me..

Everyday I wished they could spend just a minute in my shoes n they too would realize this isnt the place for me or any child for that matter. the staff there would taunt the kids. Showing them what they couldnt have..

During that time I became suicidal i started cutting myself to escape my emotions one day I couldnt take it anymore n i overdosed on my facial wash which was the only thing i could get my hands on after that i went to the emergency room and ended up in a psychiatric hospital..

You would think that didnt help any but being there was like heaven to me, people there actually listened to your problems and talked to you like a human being. Once discharged from the hospital my mom picked me up and I went home..

But it wasnt over then my life had turned black. I resented my parents for what they put me through and worst of all that wasn't the last time I had tried harming myself, even after leaving Ivy Ridge i had nightmares of waking up there again.

I ended up in the hospital 4 times after leaving ivy ridge the doctors diagnosed me with manic depression and now im sitting here writing this to all the parents who want to send their children to any of the WWASP programs. If you think your doin the right thing by sending your child away think twice. thank you so much for everyone reading this.

More information about the Academy at Ivy Ridge

• The school was fined for issuing high school diplomas which were no-good in the area
• The school closed due to the negative press caused by former students.
• There was a riot shortly before the closure
• The facility is mentioned among 1,000 places you do not want to be as a teenager
• The message board Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora has several threads about the facility