Comments on: Faith-based Minnesota Teen Challenge cannot evade scrutiny

By: Anthony Villerreal

Anthony Villerreal — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:30:43 +0000

So as I read through the article, I suppose that it seemed that I was reading something that was posted to sell bad media. I hear it sells, but what would I know so does, sex drugs and bad music. Oh wait a minute I think the fight was against drugs and to HELP people get off of them. I graduated 17 drug treatment programs but only failed to complete one. I think it was because I was only 13 when I was placed there. But after graduating all the other programs only to fail shortly after, I went to MNTC and graduated. Yes I’m sure it is shocking but I’m a graduate and contribute my success to GOD. Heartbreaking I’m sure. That’s alright I wont Judge you, only pray that you vipers will get it someday. Oh wait maybe I shouldn’t say that or I could be labeled overly religious. In Jesus name I will pray for you, Amen.

By: Zach Psick

Zach Psick — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:48:26 +0000

Oops, just noticed a couple typos. Sorry about that… typing quick. “MnTC’s success is much MORE documented THAN that…”

Don’t want to leave trivialities for y’all to stumble over as you ponder the facts. Not that the success rates will change anyone’s mind. Some of you are so biased, even the phenomenal success rates produced in an objective study will matter. My favorite argument is “Well, yeah. But that’s only among graduates.”

Because it would make much more sense to measure a program’s success by the dropouts?

By: Zach Psick

Zach Psick — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:11:15 +0000

Micah, you are a little confused. Twelve step programs use Christian principles, not the other way around. Maybe you could look it up?

Also, MnTC’s success is much documented that that of 12 Step programs. I would refer you to a study conducted by the Wilder foundation, for instance. The problem with anonymous programs is that it is hard to document success rates. “Failure rates” may be more accurate, however, in the case of AA, since they themselves only claim to help 1 in 18 people successfully recover.

Just thought I’d correct you. I’m sure you don’t mean to slander anyone.

By: Micah Smith

Micah Smith — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 22:48:01 +0000

TC doesn’t even have doctors on staff. Seeing as addiction is partially physical, that seems irresponsible. Your tax money isn’t going to a medical facility; it’s going to a church. Personally, I don’t care; it is cheaper to send someone to this church than a REAL treatment center or prison, but they should at least be honest that they’re not going to medically treat addiction. They are going to use shame and guilt, roadblock to recovery, to control you.

By: Micah Smith

Micah Smith — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 22:45:20 +0000

DANA MAYSE, you are a joke. What exactly do you think turning over your will to Jesus is? Sounds alot like the 3rd step to me. Unless you are completely blind to truth and factual evidence, TC uses steps 1-7 and 11-12. I suppose you don’t know the steps though, much less know that you can, as you clearly did, use Jesus as your higher power for said steps. Failure to acknowledge your use of the steps doesn’t mean you didn’t use them. Maybe you should be less critical of others, as the steps work for over 3 million people to date, including you, even though you’d like to deny it. Your little TC’s Jesus only method has much less registered, proven success.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:55:39 +0000

I was in the one in Duluth also and it’s ran the way Dustin says it is. This particular center is a place for Lunatics. The place is a JOKE, I could never figure out how they could go in a church of all places and blatantly lie to raise money. At first I thought this is what I need a place where I could get back to following God. Boy was I in for a shocker this so called christian center was filled with people who talked and used some of the most vulgar language any one could imagine. They do get state money, and to say they don’t is a lie. The Dean of men, was not a christian I don;t care what he called himself, prior to having this job he was a janitor. About half the staff were truly christian and nice people. The food I wouldn’t feed my dog, and the cook there is one of the meanest ornriest men I know. Although I am a christian and gave my heart to Jesus, ( no thanks to this place ) I trLuly pray that somehow the place gets shut down. I believe that Teen Challenge when it was first started was a good place but over the years has become a money grubbing, say and do anything for money center. MONEY is their first and only priority. How other centers are I can’t say but if anyone is even thinking about going to TC do not even consider the one in Duluth, it and most of the people that work their are corrupt to the core. Recently one of the staff was arrested for stalking women and masturbating in front of them. Like I said I love God but would not recommend this center to no one.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:48:33 +0000

Minnesota tean challange is a shame. I went to the Duluth campus and it was a joke. You know when your doing your intake they make it seem like a great place thats warm and fuzzy. It was far from. The place is small and crampt. We do not have indivual rooms that are even shared. instead we had one huge ass room the size of a gym with 50 to 60 guys in bunk beds. The building was old, and outdated , and filled with assbestice.the roff leaked and we were often made to fix it up. we did alot of fixn up when they wanted a rule 31 program. That might i add is state funded. Thats right. The place was without a doubt a safety hazzard. Staff that worked there for the most part were ok. But when people are hirred who have mental health issues this begins to be a problem. you begin to question their motives for hirring people like this. With that aside alot of the men that left would well eventually come back. The place is a revolving door. We go to these churches and sing. I was a student dirrector, and played guitar while i was their for them. Thats right for them not myself. We were pimped out without a doubt. People say that well we acctually save tax dollars by keeping DRUGGIES off the streets. That maybe so but do it with your own fucking money not ours. Boy when they found out my folks had money they were my best friends. Giving me passes when i wanted the whole nine yards. Its bad enough that this economy is the way it is. But to add insult to injury you want money from the state of minnesota thru grants and such. And that is correct you can’t deny that. But you have the tenasitty to tell people at churches that you have NO ties with the state, and that how you refuse to take state funding cause it would CHANGE THE PROGRAM. That is a load of shit if ive ever heard it. Thats why their is seperation of church and state. The minnesota teen challange gets what is called GRH that is GROUP RESIDENTIAL HOUSEING. they make you alpply for it usually within the first two days your their. Its a sham is what it is. also making you aplly for SSI and wellfare. But remember NO STATE TIES. they Put on a front when people come into the program or when you have to talk about it. Im sorry if this offends you but these are the facts. Also this is what Minnesota Teen challange says here that some 75% of their graduates remain sober. Thats a lie. Owe and the movies they always had to play before we would go and sing. Playing these my life was horrible type movies right before we go up to sing. We were know more then cattle to them even when they fed us. Giving us things that are outdated, and well un healthy. Our vehicals were questionable. So were the drivers. I watched one drive into a wall ruin the fender and just scratched the sh** out of it. And staff let HIM drive up to the church. that sunday so we could go and sing.The driver had a brain injurry from a car wreck before he entered TC. BUT see we didnt even make it out of our parking lot and their was a vehical accident. It must be because he is a VULNERABLE. Wow people are oblivious to this place. But it is slowlly being brought out into the light, and i pray to God it will. People capitalizing off addicts are sad, and i belive should be tried in the court of law. Thats right they are in the buisness of rippen you off right in front of your face, and then treating the men who do the work like crap. They tell theses sad ass stories in your churches to get you to make a DONATION. Its sad. I have seen it all. They say its a sober house but they alow students to take oxycottin, hydrocodone, xanax, klonopins, and thats just the start. The place overall is a joke and well its run like it to. Now i cant speak for all of the TC campuses but i can for the NORTHLAND one. This is just the start. i could go on and on.

By: Joe D

Joe D — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:53:19 +0000

To Jassen Ferris, I was in the program with you and we did not always see eye to eye, your comments here are great. I am sorry we did’nt get to hang out more. To all you people who say TC is a lie, YOU ARE WRONG. TC does what it says it does, that is restore lives. It may not restore all lives but it does to those who really want it for themselves and their families. I know countless people who’s lives have been restored, and are friends with many of them. I thank God and TC for what they have done in my life. I would be in prison if it was’nt for TC. So, to all you people who are mad about tax money going to TC, it costs more to house a person that is in prison than it does to send them through TC. So, you should be thanking TC for saving your tax dollars, not putting it down. AND I DO NOT WORK AT TC !!!!!!!

By: Paul Schmelzer

Paul Schmelzer — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:41:38 +0000

Hi Joe D. Per our comment policy, one username per email/IP address. I've deleted your second comment.

By: Joe D

Joe D — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:41:14 +0000

I am a graduate of teen challenge. While they may make mistakes,(everyone does), they saved me from my addiction to meth. It is a tough program, but it does work,if you make it work. It’s all about the choices we make. I had been to other programs, but a long term program is the answer.