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CB Non-profit Organizations Review of New Beginnings Girls academy
New Beginnings Girls academy

New Beginnings Girls academy review: Abusive treatment facility 103

J
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4:32 am EST
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Met this group, while they were on tour to our church. we were impressed wtih their evening performance, and felt that this place would be a place where our daughter could find rest, and comfort and a place to get away from it all after a severe accident left her with some serious physical complications...
it was not what we had expected, nor was it what we were promised.We were told of mending broken relationships, academically getting on track and counseling...
punishment started right away, for things that were not understood, red shirt, punishment, left my daughter with many physical problems, untreated medical condition, UTI that was untreated, afer I spoke about her needing to get medical attention, they said they would, and did nothing.
blood in her urine, blood in her bowels, hives all over her body.
Our letters were kept from her, her letters to us were never sent, she was not allowed to speak to us freely on the phone, but every word was to be judged, and she was expected to speak to us in monotone, so as not to communicate anything other than what was allowed. She was on punishment, and red shirt discipline throughout her stay, and has foot, knee, hip inflamation from the constant standing on the wall with her hands behind her back, both feet flat on the floor.
she wakes up nightly with nightmares, of being taken back to New beginnings Girls academy.
Bill macnamera has a very bad temper, in which he did lose all self control with me, while I was asking him questions about educational neglect for my daughter. We were told that she would start counseling, up to two days a week, right away...after two months, she recieved one processing counseling interview...when I asked about the counseling and the lack of education, Bill Macnamers became angry with my questioning his authority, telling me that he did not have to listen to this, and slammed the phone down...a man with a lack of control, exploding on the phone in a temper tantrum fashion, is also in charge of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and 30 little girls who needed a safe place to be, and protection...very concerning...
we called to ask our daughter if she were ready to come home, a nd she had already been in Bill Macnamera's office earlier, and agreed under duress, to stay 6 more months...at which time she told me on the phone she could not come ahome, and it was not perfect at New Beginnings, but she could not come home...now she wanted to stay another 6 months...during my conversation, she was told she had 3 minutes to get off the phone for a counseling session...so they could than tell her why she needed to stay there...
The world is sin, your family is in the world, if you leave NBGH you will going back into the world, your family is in the world, the world is in sin...
They are not allowed to know the day of the week or the date of the month, and must learn to tell time backwards...no speaking of family you miss, or anything that is reminders of home, family, affection, caring loving people in your life outside of New Beginnings.
You get punished for making eye contact with any other girl, no matter what..no speaking at any time..you must raise your hand and be silent until you are called, if you are called.
Bathroom is punishment: with 5 sheets of toilet paper, or 7 depending on your need...open stalls for shower and bathroom...strip search, solitary confinement writing sentences for up to 4 hrs. a time..
When I went to rescue my daughter from this place, I was met by the counselor who told me to come into the office, we needed to talk...told me to sit down, I refused, he than got himself a chair, so we could sit and talk before I could see my daughter...he than told me that it was a dangerous idea to take my daughter home, It was not safe, she did not want to go home, and she made it very clear, told them many times she did not want to come home, she wanted to stay,
She was severely punished after I was hung up on with more discipline...she would than say anything that would make them happy hoping they would lighten up on the severe punishment...it didnt help...
she was severely distraught, terrified, freightened, full of shame, fear, intimidation, and terror...the look inher eyes the moment I saw her was one that I had never seen in her eyes before...it was the same look I have seen on a dog, lost on the side of a highway, trying to avoid traffic, sticks and stones, wet dripping with freezing rain, terrified for its very life, shivering, full of fear, begging for help...it shocked me and paralyzed me to see my daughter sickly pale, ghostly white, bug eyed, trembling, shivering, fulll of fear in her eyes...fear and intimidation not knowing why she was now in the Office...she looked at me, and said, Mom is that you...she than began crying saying, O God, O my God, Mom, is that really you, O my God mom you came...I ran to her, picked up her trembling body, and she melted in my arms, so I picked up her weak body, and felt how weak her hug on me was...she was trembling in my arms, and I whispered...do you want to go to Braums with me...will you go to lunch with me...I knew if I could remind her of a happy childhood memory, she would answer me freely before she remembered what she was supposed to say...she said, food, o God yes...she was in shock, and was trembling as we turned to walk out...she was than ordered to take off her red shirt and return it...big red T shirt to degrade as punishment, humiliate, and abuse mentally and emotionally...she had nothing else on with the T-shirt in Missouri snow storm, boots, thin black summer skirt...when I got there, they had her hurriedly put on a purple sweatshirt...she was confused, but never knew anything about me traveling to get her...she was in total shock and surprise...she was convinced that whe was not allowed to ever coem home again, she was not loved, not wanted, and at the same time, /Bill Macnamera told my husband to just let her go, give her away...let her go...they got tiered of all of our phone calls asking questions...
later on she was able to open up, telling me that she never would have went home with me if Bill macnamera was in town there..He was on vacation with his daughter and son-in-law who are his assistant directors...family run business...he would have let her know what the right response was...she would have done exactly what he told her to do...she was fulll of fear, intimidation, she was terrified of what would happen to her if she said the wrong thing...shw would have told me she was not going home.
I must confess that I am not one with free time on my hands to write openly, but this trauma is not half described due to time restraints...I am a mother of great love devotion, and concern for my daughter, and other daughters across America...Mothers who think thye are doing the right thing, finding out after it is too late, that we made the worst possible mistake of our lives...allowing total strangers, to have dominant control over the lives of a child that we have invested so many years, to a person that we knw so very little about.
I am reaching out to Moms everywhere, no matter how desperate you are to find help for your daughters, do not give up, do not give in, and do not send them to a place with your eyes closed, and imagine it is a good thing...if your heart is aching and grievingf, and warning you...listen to those cautions, it is real life screams in the dark...she was very exhausted and walked painfully...when I stoped for the night she was barely able to walk with terrible muscle cramps, and joint pain from the constant standing ont he wall, 7 days a week, *8- hrs. a day, and 500 jumping jacks each evening you are on punishment...she was in terrible pain, and groaned each time I held her, she was having muscle spasms throughout the night, with nightmares of being taken back to NBGH.
She now has anxiety attacks throughout the day, gag reflex from being force fed large amounts of food, and punished if you dont eat it all, or throw it up...punish is by demerits, and the girls who have grown up in the system and arrived at the age of 18, than become the new guards, to give punishment demerits without question...
the prisoner becomes the guard, so the abuse of the bully system continues, and the fear factor of this is evident in the lives of the girls that are full of fear to look anyone in the eye again...

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

103 comments
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Hbbhhhh
Statesboro, US
Dec 24, 2022 11:16 pm EST

Marvelous grace girls academy run by Steven blankenship was shut down in November 2022. He was grooming girls and was having a sexual relationship with one of the staff members.

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Devynn Lester
, US
Jul 16, 2019 1:10 pm EDT

This place left me with so. Many mixed feelonhs about life. I have night terrors and anxiety i use drugs ibe neber had a losence or a car ive been to prisln ive been around for anyone to stop us girls from speakong our truth lr say otherwose [censored] off
There are some tbinhs i loke about muself that i bevame at the home hlwever . the bad is just comfusing and bey odiot talkong about juvenile facilotes being worse or army training [censored] you.
Ylu knkw nothing. And your words are just harmkng those of us who are already damaged enough if you arent here to complaon on this complaints board on a complaont about the place go elsewhere its a. Complaont board on a specefic faciloty.
Start your own complaint thread elsewhere
Cause yojr complaining about our complaints and hurt. So your ignlrant and a loud mouth all your doing by saying that shkt is burting js mlre . leave us alone or start your own thread its clear tht tbis kne is for the hurt women who went through there to tell there stoty and help others nkt get sent there
So unless your here to tell that story of your hurt
Go away tellong ua to get a life . [censored] u
Our lives are forever changed
And its cause of the abuse endured
Dont open up our scars when you dont knkw anything .
This place is finally shut dkwn you know why?because we all told three truth and flight for whatwas right. They were wrong. They used to say if that they werent doing the right thing and helping save girls
That to quote"i pray the lord [censored]s us down if we are abisive
Theres people out there trying to work with the devil and shut us down well glld keeps us running this place"
So guess what
God intervened and shut you down
Food for thought
Ps im a cutter . cant be alone . pit up with abusive relationships and still dont knlw how to functiln as an adult. I never was taught . never learned
Wasted my days trying to numb my fears and pain in heroim and many other things . im a confused. Wreck . i tbank god for letting me take some good from that bad sktuation . he gets the credit not them
We have issues from there leave us alone

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Popoftwo
, US
Jul 01, 2018 1:31 am EDT

Cult, that's all I can say...

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Sarah Ortiz
, US
Mar 28, 2016 9:44 pm EDT

Not a member or have I ever been here: How ever I worked for some one that sounds a LOT like the man running this program. (Abysmal as that sounds!) But I did go ahead and check out the admission form to Rebeckahs House in Florida... here is the link. As I read it, I grew more and more distasteful about this program, and it really angered to see that parents must answer a question "Has your child ever lied?" And then it goes on to talk about lying and what "white lies" are and why children lie in general... it seems to me that they do a LOT of talking about ways to "explain away" what the child will tell you after they leave or like in this posters case, are RESCUED from the place. It even goes into detail as to discipline! About how the child could receive up to "15 swats!" By hand or some type of pre approved object~ What are we in the dark ages? If some stranger ever laid one hand on ANY OF MY KIDS I would literally become that places' worst night mare! OH MY GOSH! Here is the link. We need to expose this abysmal information to many people as possible!
http://www.heal-online.org/newbeg.htm

Some qoutes from the link above added here:

" The phone restrictions are also a serious concern. Physical abuse is a reported common occurrence at programs like New Beginnings. And, it is disturbing that children have no access to write or phone when they have been harmed in the care of New Beginnings. Rules like this at programs like New Beginnings create an atmosphere where abuse is common and regularly covered up. No parent should enroll their child in New Beginnings or any similar program.

It is also a serious concern that a child may not have phone contact with family for at least a month. A communication black-out period is common in cults and used to breakdown the initiate so that the cult has control and obedience prior to first contact with the outside world. Please see www.heal-online.org/warn.htm for more information."

"VISIT POLICY"

"No one may initiate a visit other than the parent(s)/guardian(s). The first visit may be made after six full months of enrollment, and subsequent visits may be set at six-month intervals. It may be longer than six months between visits, but never less than six months between visits. No student will be allowed to return to your child's home state within the first twelve months. If your child has been enrolled for less than twelve months, he or she is required to spend their first Christmas as a student on campus. A minimum two (2) week advance notice must be given to New Beginnings prior to your visit. The dates of all visits should be closely planned and coordinated with the Superintendent. All visits are subject to the approval of the Academy administration."

"The administration retains the right to cancel or cut short a visit due to a student's negative behavior. At no point should parent(s)/guardian(s) or any other person(s) discuss upcoming visits with the student."

"FIRST SIX MONTH VISIT"

"3 days - Friday 9:00am through Sunday 9Pm. The student and parent(s)/guardian(s) must attend Sunday church services on campus with their child."

"HOME VISIT"

"Only after on year and at the discretion of New Beginnings staff."

"THE FOLLOWING ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL VISITS"

"The student must attend church service during your visit."

"The student should maintain all standards that are in place at New Beginnings (clothing, music, TV, phone calls, etc.)."

"It is a serious concern that New Beginnings keeps parents and children separated for at least six months at a time. This is not supportive of individual family members or the family's needs for contact with each other. Barring visits and setting visits without having a set visitation schedule that allows for parents to visit on at least a weekly basis show that New Beginnings is a cult and not a school nor a legitimate ministry. New Beginnings bars contact for 6-months because the evidence of abuse would be too obvious in regards to someone who is "new" to the program. By barring access and direct contact between parents and their children, New Beginnings protects itself from investigation and prosecution. This is a serious concern and another reason why New Beginnings should be avoided.

Again, New Beginnings demands absolute confession to their "leadership" while demanding family members keep secrets from each other and that is something abusers do, not representatives of God.

It is a serious concern that children are not allowed to go home for Christmas like children at any legitimate boarding school. This is another symptom of a cult and another big red flag that suggests parents avoid New Beginnings like the plague. It is also a serious concern that New Beginnings claims authority over the entire family regarding the "appropriateness" of a home visit. Shouldn't such scheduling be in the hands of the family/parents?

Don't let false prophets turn you away from Christ's love and compassion to live in fear and hate. That is New Beginnings' mission and it is ungodly."

"Please do not ask for us to alter, waive, or compromise any New Beginnings policies to make them meet with your satisfaction or approval. If at any time a parent/guardian becomes unwilling to give full support to all New Beginnings policies, as determined by New Beginnings administration, we will view your actions as a statement that you no longer desire to have your child enrolled at New Beginnings, and that you are enacting a voluntary removal of your child from the Academy, in which case the remaining tuition will become due effective the date of your child's termination of enrollment."

"By nature, young people rebel against controls that suppress their carnal desires. Unchecked by discipline, these desires will lead to a life of heartache and negative consequences."

"If the student has more than ten (10) demerits in a week then he or she is placed on discipline for the following week. This discipline includes:"

"Loss of desserts and seconds during meals"

"Loss of all extra-curricular activities including but not limited to field trips, basketball, volleyball, tennis racquetball, baseball, Ping-Pong, football, and swimming."

"Various forms of physical training which include but are not limited to the following: jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, hops, leg lifts, crawls, running, carrying cinder blocks, or all of the above."

"Standing with your child nose touching the end of your child bed for a time period of 1 hour with a 10-minute sit-down break each hour. This is excluding any regularly scheduled activities and school time."

"When all other forms of discipline have not produced the desired change in behavior and attitude, corporal discipline (swats) may be administered. A maximum of five (5) consecutive correctly received swats upon the buttocks may be administered. Correctly received swats are those in which the student exhibits a submissive attitude, as determined by the administrator of the corporal discipline. This submissive attitude must be exhibited throughout the discipline session. A maximum of fifteen (15) swats of any kind, whether correctly received or incorrectly received, may be administered in a twenty-four period."

"A flat paddle is used to administer the corporal discipline."

"There are several instances that would warrant immediate corporal discipline (as outline above). They are as follows: physical fights, talk of running away, running away, or any attempt thereof, direct disobedience to be defined as student's refusal to follow a directive given by any adult staff member of New Beginnings; defiant and disrespectful attitude and actions as determined by New Beginnings staff, and the third offense for cheating in school."

Some survivors of Roloff-style homes have reported that children on "discipline" receive two slices of bread and a slice of cheese for meals while on that "status". Bread and cheese do not constitute a well-balanced meal. And, it is important for parents to understand that a "disciplinary" change in diet is likely not as described in the materials.

How often do the children get to play for recreation/extra-curricular activity? Survivors of many programs in this industry have reported that the recreational activities described in the materials were very rare or non-existent. For instance, Provo Canyon School had a Donkey Kong arcade game and a television on the Orientation unit in the 1980s. But, the only thing children in that program were allowed to do with the game is clean it. And, the only television was one very bad movie per week if not on investment. So, while New Beginnings may have a Ping-Pong table, tennis racquets and basketballs on the premises, it does not mean that the children are ever allowed use of them other than to clean or accept "paddling" punishments.

Many Roloff-survivors have reported that physical training was exhausting and that they were forced to continue these activities to the point of passing out. Parents shouldn't place their children in New Beginnings. Children have died in behavior modification programs due to dehydration and other causes related to being over-worked without proper sustenance and nutrition. Children have growing bodies and extensive exercise and poor diet can lead to life-long illness. This is a serious concern.

The "bed" punishment is definitely a punishment. This is also true of the "paddling" discussed below. Only sadists who enjoy inflicting pain and do not respect children in their care engage in such activities. New Beginnings is an extremely oppressive environment that controls the families whom they claim to serve while depleting their resources. New Beginnings also engages in open disregard for the law, hypocrisy, and deception. As discussed above, New Beginnings encourages family members to keep secrets from each other and commit lies of omission between family members. This is what the King James Version of the Bible says about the Oppressor: "He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor." (Psalm 72:4) If you oppress your brethren, you serve Satan. You serve the Oppressor. New Beginnings does not serve God, only their own self interest and the interest of their Master to break the faith of young children through oppression and abuse. There is nothing more ungodly than harming children and turning them away from God by convincing them they are hated by God unless they serve the men at New Beginnings.

Using a wooden paddle is considered physical abuse in most states. Hitting a child hard enough to leave a mark or bruises is considered abuse and using an instrument like a paddle increases the likelihood of such injuries. Spanking teenagers and demanding submission to being physically touched is a means of grooming them for other "services". And, this is a serious concern given the number of reports of abuse at Roloff-style programs.

If rolling your eyes and failing to desire to be hit are punishable offenses and punishable by physical abuse, then self-expression is strictly forbidden at this program. And, if God created your child, do you think he wants your child to be the child he created or the one the Oppressor would turn him into? Think about it."

"The New Beginnings discipline policy has the goal of giving each student the maximum opportunity of exercising self-discipline. By the time corporal discipline is administered, the student will have to acknowledge two things:"

"That the student's attitude and actions warranted corporal discipline much sooner than it was actually administered; and"

"That every opportunity was presented to the student to avoid corporal discipline."

"At no time should the parent(s)/guardian(s) discuss any differences or conflicts they might have with New Beginnings with their child."

"At no time should the parent(s)/guardian(s) convey information to their child and then require your child to keep this information from New Beginnings."

"New Beginnings, or any of its staff, are not responsible for any harm or injury occurring to your child during your child's stay at New Beginnings."

"The parent(s)/guardian(s) agree(s) to execute the Limited Power of Attorney. Said document is incorporated into this contract by reference as if set forth fully herein."

Concerning parents having compaints towards the place:

Qouted from link above: "Parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student agree(s) to bring any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this agreement or the relationship created by this agreement within one year that the cause of action accrues. If parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student does not bring any such claim, controversy, or dispute within such one-year period, said parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student shall be deemed to have waived such claim, controversy, or dispute."

"Except as expressly provided to the contrary herein, each portion, section, part, term, and provision of this agreement shall be considered severable; and if for any reason, any portion, section, part, term or provision is determined to be invalid and contrary to, or in conflict with any existing or future law or regulation by a court or agency having valid jurisdiction, this shall not impair the operation of, or have any other effect upon, the other portions, sections, parts, terms, provisions of this agreement that may remain otherwise intelligible, and the latter shall continue to be given full force and effect and bind the parties..."

"Believing that lawsuits are prohibited by Scripture (I Corinthians 6:1-8), all parents, grandparents, guardians, students, teachers, staff, board members, volunteers, or anyone else involved in dispute agrees to submit to binding arbitration any matters which cannot otherwise be resolved, and expressly waive any and all rights in law and equity to bringing any civil disagreement before any court of law, except that judgment upon the reward rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof."

"The parties must, prior to the selection of arbitrators, agree to the scope of the matters to be considered by the arbitrators. In doing so, the parties must conduct themselves with the utmost courtesy as befits believers in Jesus Christ. Failure to do so shall be considered a proper matter for church discipline."

"The parties as Christians, believing that lawsuits are prohibited by Scripture, and having agreed to submit disputes to binding arbitration, and to waive any legal right to take the dispute to a court of law, will refer and submit any and all disputes, differences, and controversies whatsoever within the agreed scope of arbitration to a panel of three arbitrators, to be selected as follows:"

Things parents need to fill out application for care for their child and the questions the place ask the parents to answer:

Application

Pages 1-2 Quotes

"Place of Birth"

"Student's Social Security Number"

"Name or father"

"Monthly Income"

"SSN"

"Birthplace"

Name of mother"

"Monthly Income"

"SSN"

"Birthplace"

"Bank Reference"

"Has child ever lied to you?"

^^^^^^ See why I am appalled? They really DO seem to be trying to hide or explain alot of stuff away before your kid even gets there! Why have a 40 something page info packet if its a successful caring place? I mean that to me smell like they are, to put it bluntly COVERING THEIR ###. Before the parent even signs it, do you really think many of them even READ EVERYTHING I have copied and pasted?

To the daughter of the woman who posted this:

Hun, I know in a small way what you have been through. I am so so sorry that some one did that to you, and how dare they do it and still get away with it? You are very lucky hun. Your mother and father loved you so much or else they wouldn't have come to see you and your mom loves you even more or she would have allowed it to continue, blindly, yes, but she would have been fooled into what that horrible place wanted her to believe.
I know life it hard after some thing like this takes place. I know. I am soo sorry hunny. I wish I could hug you.
All I can say is this: hold on to joy in your life. Hold on to security. Hold onto any warm fuzzy happy feelings you have. Hold onto them and grip them tightly when memories of the dark past comes back to haunt you. I wish I could say that will stop in the next ten minutes, but I can't. What I can say is it will get better.

You are loved by many. I can tell by just reading what your mother shared. You are so so lucky hunny.

Some day, in the future, love will make its self known to you. It did to me. I was made be believe I would never be in love or have love. I am getting married to a wonderful man. Who fills me with love, joy and happiness and even better, he is my security and my stronghold when I am scared of the dark, or that what I call my ptsd nightmares. You are loved hunny.

I do not want to lie here, I am not too religious myself, but I find God in the good moments in my life. I find God in the joy in my life. Inner peace can be your form of God. When you feel at peace and rest...

Good luck to you and your mother and family. Hugs, and love from some one who knows.

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Dustin777
Oneida, US
Mar 09, 2014 7:20 am EDT

The Macs are wonderful people and try to instill Christian character and morals into these girls. They are treated like their own kids and are very well taken care of. People get mad when they can't do whatever they want to do because of lack of character and they never take responsibility for their own actions. No abuse goes on there. There is still a home in Florida as well. It was forcedtd to leave Texas by the state for not taking a license. This website truly shows the character of these angry girls and parents. The parents are in denial and want to blame someone for their failures in their home. Finances has never stopped people from getting help. The Macs have a great heart for people and I'm a better person because of their help in Christ. I would stand beside them 100 percent. Spoiled children in America these days want everything their way immediately and will rebel against parents or anyone else. Good Bible based, God fearing program. I would highly recommend this place to any Christian family. My family is better because of going there. Thank GOD for the Macs and New Beginnings. These people really show what kind of character they had going through the home. People don't get their way then they get angry. The parents get upset because this place actually does their parenting for them but they have to blame someone for the way their children turn out. "Let GOD be true and every man a liar." Praying for the people that are attacking GOD'S work.

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Chelsea leppard
Holts Summit, US
Feb 14, 2013 7:36 pm EST

When I was 13 I got sent to the rebekah home for girls in Texas. The Macnameras ran the place and it was the worst time of my life. We were hit with citing board material paddles to the point when we could not sit down, we could not speak to eachother unles it was Christmas or thanksgiving. We were not givin a choice on what to believe in we were to believe in god and be Christians or else, we were forced to prey and read the bible. I'm sorry it is absolutely wrong to force a religion down a child's throught!' When I finally got out of there and went home my best family friend and neighbor told my parents and I that I had been brain washed. This is a scary place not to mention the Macnameras told my parents to deceive me and tell me I was going on vacation when really they left me 1000 mile away from home at 12 years old when I first got there. I felt abandonded and alone. I will never forget that and no child should have to go through that!

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Therese oniell
, US
Oct 11, 2012 6:17 pm EDT
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Kayla, thanks for your response back. Of coarse you are forgiven . And do hope you will continue serving the Lord. I did not mean to come across with my comments that I was accusing anyone. I just had read the stories and accusations that had been written and I too cried in my spirit. I cannot speak for New Beginnings But when people bring up about it being a branch off of Lester Roloff homes then that is when i get hurt as well. He was a special person in my life and the workers as well. I am just saying if accusations are true my heart truly goes .out to the people that had been hurt.As you read my other comments I had good memories and it seems like it was just yesterday that I was their. How i miss him and homes. Much happiness to you . God Bless

NBGA 2009
NBGA 2009
Huntington, US
Oct 11, 2012 5:41 pm EDT

im very sorry for the language but i was so angry yes i know if im a christian i shouldnt talk that way but please just stop with everything once again im sorry for the fowl language please forgive me i was just really upset thamks alot kayla

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Therese oniell
, US
Oct 11, 2012 7:35 am EDT
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To the young lady who wrote your comment on the 9th. I am glad your experience was a good one for you.at New Beginnings. And that the Macs treated you so well . However, I am really shocked of the language that you used in your comment. Thanks for your apology. But it is really bad to say you were their for 3 yrs and how the .Lord had changed your life . Surely, they did not speak that way ! We all get hurt and mad, but i think if you are professing to be a christian, you are losing your testimony when displaying such words as you did more than once. You say for everyone to get right or get saved. We need to look at ourselves first before passing judgement on others to get right . I sincerely hope you do not get offended by my comment just concerned

NBGA 2009
NBGA 2009
Huntington, US
Oct 09, 2012 5:55 pm EDT

how can you guys say all that about this place? i was there for three years and just came home about 1 week ago. that place would never hurt you they never ever hurt me all they did was help me and encourage me how can you all say that? YOU ALL dont know what you are talking about yeah i had my hard times but it wasnt becasue of them it was because of me that place really helped me in so many areas i really didnt even want to leave i felt so at home there the macs were such a blessing to me i cant even explain do you think i wouldve stayed that long if they were hurting me of course not thats why i went there in the first place to get away from all that went on at home i just cant believe what you all are saying it blows me away:{ now i really see what all they have to go through leave what the macs are doing alone they arent hurting anyone i dont give a f*** what everybody else is saying also sorry for the cuss word it just makes me so angry what all you people are saying i know the home so well very well and they dont hurt people they try to help people with the addictions and problems we have i was on drugs before i went there and now i dont really have a desire to go back the lord really changed my outlook on it i seen what it did to me before and i hated it it left me lonely and messed up Well for all you thast hate what there doing i hope you get saved or right with god and see that its a great thing they are doing i love the macs so much and i thank the lord for putting people like themin my life to help me even when i pushed it away sometimes. they never gave up on me like most people do and thats why i love them so much they never give up on you and always try to help like i said even when you push it away they dont force the religion and the help down your throat they leave the decision up to you so f*** all you people who say all this stupid ### about the place cause your wrong sorry for ny language but when i found this stuff i started crying and got so mad cause i dont see how you all caould say that about this place ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS GET RIGHT! OR GET SAVED! AMEN

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Devynn Lester
, US
Jul 16, 2019 1:19 pm EDT
Replying to comment of NBGA 2009

This is a staff member or family of the facility

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Therese oniell
, US
Sep 11, 2012 10:04 pm EDT
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I was saddened to have read the stories of abuse that had taken place at new beginnings. My story is different. I was in rebekah home for girls and jubilee home for ladies in the 1970, s for 3 years. I never met a man as Bro Lester roloff who was so loving and compassionate . He shed many tears for us . My dorm parents were the Coppingers who also displayed love and compassion as well. It is a shame that Lester Roloff legacy could not have continued as it was back then. His heart would truly be broken if he knew all these abuses were going on. I pray for these workers that they would get convicted of there wrong doings and get back into right relationship with God I also pray for the victims that had to endure such horrific pain and anguish. I ask God to heal your minds, heart, body soul and spirit to be restored anew. And for you to know That God is in control and has a special plan for your life. God bless all of You

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Therese oniell
, US
Sep 10, 2012 1:38 pm EDT
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I was saddened to have read these stories of torture that these girls and boys went through in these homes. I was in Rebekah home and jubilee home for ladies in the 1970, s for 3 years. My experience was different. It hurts me that Bro Lester Roloff vision and legacy could not have continued. I never met anyone who had such love and compassion as he did for us. He had a true calling on his life. My dorm parents the coppingers showed so much love and encouragement for us as well. I pray for all those that run homes such as these may truly have the calling to restore these children's lives, That they may be convicted of their wrong doing and get back to right fellowship with the Lord. May healing take place in all those that had to endure such horrific pain and anguish and that their heart, mind body soul and spirit be anew again. How I always wanted to have had a home for children myself and to have given the love and compassion that these girls, boy's ladies and men needed. God Bless all

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Therese oniell
, US
Sep 10, 2012 1:18 pm EDT
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I was saddened to have read the abuse these girls and boys had to experience. I was one who was at rebekkah home and jubilee home for ladies for 3 yrs in 1970, s.. It does hurt me that Bro lester roloff legacy could not have continued. I never met anyone who had such love and compassion as he did for us. My dorm parents were the coppingers who showed such love and encouragement. I pray that all that run these homes may be restored to what it should be. That healing may take place in all hearts mind body and spirit. I pray for those who have the calling on their life to be involved in childrens homes like these, may have the vision that bro roloff had back then . His heart was really in too restoring childrens lives and leading them in the right direction. God bless us all and be with those who have been hurt, betrayed, and may their lives be healed from the anguish they had to endure.

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JulioTheJuly
Bluffton, US
Mar 08, 2012 7:01 pm EST
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Someone please tell me that Marvelous Grace Girls Academy isn't the same I have a loved one attending the school & the policies seem like they're so a like. Please I wanna get her out of there She already has depression & gets anxiety attacks!

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 15, 2011 4:52 am EST
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https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s1667

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Simone Jones
Howard, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:41 pm EST

http://britt-towery.blogspot.com/2011/08/name-christian-has-been-hi-jacked.html

Wiley Cameron, who worked for 35 years with Roloff opened “New Beginnings” home for girls.

In 1998 Cameron’s group returned to Texas after then-Gov. George W. Bush deregulated the activities of faith-based groups in Texas. Later Wiley Cameron was chosen to serve on Bush’s peer-review board for Christian children’s agencies in Texas.

Abuse charges emerge all the time in Texas, Missouri, George and Florida. State legislatures consistently look the other way. “We the People” can’t get a hearing on this immoral practice of consecration camps for teens.

sketchy teen homes drawn by Missouri's laissez-faire policy toward faith-based residential facilities. Authorities in the state are barred from inspecting the homes or even keeping track of them. (New Beginnings has operated under multiple names in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.) "

http://floridas6thcircuit.blogspot.com/2005/02/scientology-vs-good-ole-southern.html

The Roloff Schools, Wiley Cameron and TACCA. The Roloff Schools are a string of Christian boarding schools for wayward teens founded by Lester Roloff, a fundamentalist Baptist preacher. In the 1970s Texas health authorities investigated the schools for allegations of whipping, handcuffing and using other abusive tactics on teenagers. The schools protested state scrutiny and the case ended up in the US Supreme Court which ruled that Roloff would have to abide by state licensing laws. So in 1985 two Roloff schools, the Rebekah Home for Girls and Anchor Home for Girls, moved to Missouri

http://www.newworldorderreport.com/News/tabid/266/ID/8495/Fundamentalist-Christian-Homes-Schools-Churches-And-Centers-Are-At-Center-Of-Controversy-Involving-Serious-Abuse-Of-Children.aspx

The situation is made even more tragic when “faith, ” and particular “Christian” terms are tied to the shameful practice. These modern day pirates go about their nefarious ways, hiding behind that very thick, dark and misleading “faith-based” curtain.

These groups are powerful. They are also good at stirring up fear when they are exposed. Nothing like a little fear to rouse the troops. (Typical tactic of the G. O. P. and their appendage “tea parties.” But, I digress.)

Anytime someone suggest more oversight on faith-based programs, especially those “reforming” teens, they whip out several myths: Christians are being persecuted; regulations are bad; government want to control the churches, etc.

When bills come up in State legislatures that would curb such abusive projects as those begun by Lester Roloff clones the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs will oppose it.

Martin Luther King, Jr is not the only one with “a dream.” I hope to see the name “Christian” vindicated and restored to its proper status, and no longer abused by these shysters.

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 4:41 am EST

Well you look Mighty fine yourself NBGAsurvivor ;)

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NBGAsurvivor
Clarksvegas, US
Dec 13, 2011 4:25 am EST

This is getting out of hand, why don't you STFU Toads Tool. We aren't here to read your crap. and btw you will never know how good TJA looks because you are a ###ed ### with no life...now back to where we were...

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 3:07 am EST

I agree with everything you say BrittanyCampbell. Parents need a reality check.

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:58 am EST

Your eyes arent worthy. You have now been banned from everyone in this group. NO one cares about your disgusting remarks or your immature posts. Have fun sitting on your FAT ### and doing nothing with your life.

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:43 am EST

Oh and you have never been talking out of your ###? I was sent there for doing something any teenager would do. I was NOT into hardcore drugs like most people. And I might have a rather large rump but it is not fat. Its rather nice.

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:42 am EST
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TWO major national news articles... one of which painstakingly details New Beginnings' history of trouble with this. How could anyone just up and decide to ignore that? Just me, but if 120 people were saying, "that daycare is abusive." I'd pull my kid the **** out just on principle. Just in case! Even if just to communicate to them how far I would go to ensure their well-being. I was a troubled kid too, and I know now that the biggest thing I needed was for someone to LISTEN. Instead, parents think they can shove 'em in a box for a few years, trust some stranger's word, close their eyes and mind like everything will come out like some picture-perfect dream in the end.

That, in my opinion - on this fine public opinion board - is mental ###ation.

No, the reality is that kids come out with nontransferable credits (so the longer one's kid is there, the longer their education is at a dead stop - he or she will likely have to repeat grades, ) stifled communicative skills (from not being allowed to speak, let alone speak honestly about their experience, ) and completely unprepared to face real-world problems like they had to face before the home. Recap: A New Beginnings "program graduate" comes out with no valid education for the time they were at New Beginnings, worse communication skills, and no concept of how to live in the real world. (Bro Mac's idea of a success wouldn't need any of those things anyway. Think about it.)

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:31 am EST

From my experiences at New Beginnings Girls Academy, from my Mothers parenting skills, and from everything I have witnessed in life, I can definitely assure everyone that I will never let my children get to the point where they are suicidal and over dosing on drugs.

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:20 am EST
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I'm not pointing the finger at anyone... except NBGA. They lie to parents, so parents make misinformed, bad decisions based on those lies.

Sincerely, I'm sorry that your child had such a hard time. But if any parent thinks they can send their kid off for some magic fix, pay $500+ per month to let some grimy stranger, ex-criminal-turned-fancy-Jesus-man do their job for them, and go to sleep at night with no worries, they're both wrong and exactly the sucker NBGA preys upon.

I meant no offense specifically to you. I feel for people in your position, because you've been lied to. If you do nothing, just give it a few years, you'll find out what I'm talking about. And you'll wish you listened.

Is she still there? Are you the one who posted a testimonial on their website? Pull her out early.

Every kid "LOVES" New Beginnings when they're still there - talking to you for 15 minutes every few weeks on the phone while Bro. Mac sits across from her or listens in on the call. You know they monitor all mail and calls, right? Why? That's YOUR kid. Try asking to talk to her alone on the phone - see what they say. Every kid is "MAGICALLY CHANGED" when they're there. Why? Because they want OUT in the worst way. Kinda like all criminals in prison are "really innocent" and find God and animals in cages can't get into much trouble.

If you were smart, you wouldn't necessarily just take our words for it, but you'd have a hard time resting easy until you did some digging. And if you did some digging, you wouldn't rest easy until she was back with her family.

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TJA1989
, US
Dec 13, 2011 2:16 am EST

Yes any parents goal SHOULD be the best they can to ensure their child's physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual safety. New Beginnings is NOT the place. Physically they made me gain 30 pounds because they force fed me and if we didn't finish all the huge amounts of food we would get put on discipline and i now have stretch marks all over my body. I am emotionally damaged now and I am now on anti depressants. Psychologically I am no longer here. I dont have as much and I no longer smile as much as I used to. AND SPIRITUALLY I am more anti-religious than I was before I went into the home because everything was forced on us. Nothing was accepting at all. No one was accepting at all. Your daughters acute case of alcohol poisoning, overdoses, and suicide attempts has everything to do with you as a parent. END OF STORY.

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Carol heather's mom
, US
Dec 13, 2011 1:39 am EST

Don't *judge* me or my parenting. Any parent's goal should be to do the best they can to ensure their child's physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual safety. NB helped turn my daughter's life around for the better. And yes, she most likely would have wound up dead. 1 acute case of alcohol poisoning, 2 overdoses where she had to have her stomach pumpedand damaged her esophagus, , a suicide attempt, I could go on for hours about the risky destructive behavior. If you are reluctant to point the finger at your own parents, don't point them at anyone else's.

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NBGAsurvivor
Clarksvegas, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:56 pm EST

http://stopnbga.blogspot.com

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:50 pm EST
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http://motherjones.com/politics/2007/08/cult-spawned-tough-love-teen-industry

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:44 pm EST
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http://business.highbeam.com/410545/article-1G1-80924216/remember-christian-alamo-evangelist-lester-roloff-drew

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NBGAsurvivor
Clarksvegas, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:42 pm EST

@M3CSlimjim...I don't know if you are joking or not, and its not very funny if so, because this is a very serious matter. That would be very ignorant on your part if you sent your son to this place after finding out all this information and what they have done to people and how they are still suffering years later.

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:42 pm EST
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http://abcnews.go.com/Health/independent-fundamental-baptist-discipline-call-tough-love-abuse/comments?type=story&id=13310172#.TuaPNuz4I84

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:38 pm EST
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http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/08/new-bethany-ifb-teen-homes-abuse

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 11:27 pm EST
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@Ramelle and in general:

I agree. Indeed, 'cept for the bit about any satisfactory resolution (doesn't really apply here, most unfortunately.) Were that to ever happen for anyone who has had "grievances" with this place, some people would have to face the (really apparent now) fact that most of the children they've taken in to "put on the right track" (if that's even remotely anywhere in their mindset) consider their experiences there to have been extremely damaging in a myriad of ways. You'd think, if they really, truly cared about the struggling kids of America they'd eventually catch on to the notion that they're just not working out for the job. Their business model is not panning out. Products are not quality. Customers are not satisfied. My opinion again: I don't think they actually care. I think they know that society will not tolerate them and their actions for much longer and they want to milk the cash cow for all it's worth.

Complaints... natural phenomenon... yes. But this isn't your average, run of the mill consumer complaint. While it is, totally, false advertisement: It's not a school. There's no one I've known of there with a legitimate certification or degree in anything, who's actually qualified to teach anyone's kids anything. Oh, and they aren't a recognized school - all nontransferable and unaccredited. And it's not therapeutic. Again, (Simone mentioned it) these people were "converted" to religious fundamentalists and six months later were running teen homes and collecting tuition. They're maybe qualified to tie their shoe laces. But they're in charge of guiding these kids' "spiritual" lives (to quote them, ) their education, their health and welfare, their upbringing.

Like, if the same news story kept resurfacing, and you could track down the "witnesses" and roughly 120 of them said the same thing happened, you'd probably have a good idea of how things happened. Well, it is in the news. And has been, repeatedly. In each state in which this place has operated.

I guess, as "survivors, " we'll always have a disadvantage in the eyes of those who are too indifferent to know what all this is about. We did everything a casual poster here would suggest and everything we knew to do. We called CPS and our reports were ineffective or evaded due to some serious and evident need for organization in how the system works for - or doesn't work for since the state itself has to fight for the right to investigate - this particular type of home, and so we keep going ...choose to go the activism route and work toward bigger solutions, and we're "trying to get attention." But I think - to those same indifferent people - if the reality were not as it unfortunately is and our reporting went swimmingly and we had some big class action lawsuit going, I'm sure we'd just be a bunch of "grown delinquents in it for the money for our 'sustained damages.'"

I do counsel the girls to call authorities. I agree that this is the primary way to go about this. But sadly, the system in regard to these unregulated homes "running amok" as I said before, needs major reform. There's a Bill working on it right now, like I mentioned in my previous post. Theoretically, residential care facilities which have transparency and upstanding practices wouldn't fear some preventative measures to ensure that all kids are safe. Thus far, New Beginnings and places like it have moved to and fro within the United States in effort to retain the power to keep specific practices and avoid oversight. 'What are they evading?' a logical person might ask. The Bill would standardize certain measures to uphold human rights standards for children in facilities and eradicate the facilities that don't uphold those standards. Maybe it's not the ultimate solution, but it is a step in the right direction.

So, whatever... smart people still read.

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NBGAsurvivor
Clarksvegas, US
Dec 12, 2011 10:54 pm EST

I hate to hear that too, Brittany. More than likely none of the girls would be dead by now and with some parenting classes and maybe some counseling and restrictions the parents wouldn't even have to send their child somewhere where they have no idea what is happening to them, only hoping and trusting Bill McNamara's word that they are alright. I don't blame my parents for sending me there, they did what they felt was best for me at the time and they were lied to. I, myself would never resort to something of the such and would not recommend that any parent do so but thats what they did and I can't blame them for what happened to me while I was there or for trying to help the way they thought was best. It still doesn't change the fact that this place is nothing but a big FRAUD that is causing more hurt then help to innocent teenagers who just need some real guidance.

They don't teach you how to live in the real world and you are told that everyone out in normal society is wicked and of the devil. A lot of the time when girls get out, they actually end up worse then they were before they got sent there because they have no idea how to readjust to a normal world. You are so separated the only people you really get to see are the people at the facility and people from churches. This place is a terrible, terrible place and I urge any parents reading these comments not to send their child to this abusive facility.

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NBGAsurvivor
Clarksvegas, US
Dec 12, 2011 10:33 pm EST

I have way too many friends from this place that are suffering, myself included. Anxiety, PTSD, & physical health issues. I have a major problem with the fact that they lied to my parents the whole time I was there and I wasn't allowed to tell them what was really going on because everything was extremely monitored, you couldn't cough without someone knowing. One more thing I would like to mention is that they are a FRAUD. They charged my parents $500 a month for tuition(some parents more). &50-60 a month for some BS medical account that was never used because they wouldn't take you to the doctor, you had to be almost dying or complain about it enough to get on their nerves. And also a fee for our personal hygiene items that were always the cheapest brand, some parents would send their child their own stuff because their stuff was crap. Anyways, on top of that there was another general account so around $700 a month to feed me food that they would most often get for free or very cheap from a food bank and give us only the bare essentials. What a load of crap. If you do the math, $700 a month x 12 months= $8, 400 per year per girl, $8, 400 x 30-35 girls = roughly $252, 000 (and that is the tuition alone) they are very wealthy and only giving the girls the bare minimum, if that. They are more than likely millionaires, and they would shuffle us all around the country for weeks on end, have us sleeping in church pews or on hard floors, to sing at church services to earn more donations. Not to mention the monthly donations they receive. (And this was over 5 years ago when I was there, I heard they charge more now) Its a horrible, horrible place and my wish is to see them shut down. These girls have been suffering for way too long and it has got to stop.

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Ramelle
Ramelle
Weed, US
Dec 12, 2011 9:43 pm EST
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You bring up a good point about parenting Brittany - which calls into questioning the parenting of the parents of many who have posted here. The thing about complaints outweighing compliments is a natural phenomenom. People who are satisfied with a business or what have you are much less likely to post as people who are dissatisfied with the business or what have you. Also, when someone does post negatively and a subsequent satisfactory resolution has been reached, they rarely come back and update on that. I hope you counsel the girls who recently got out to exercise their right to file reports with their ;ocal law enforcement and CPS agencies.

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BrittanyCampbell
Fitchburg, US
Dec 12, 2011 9:24 pm EST
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If I had a nickel for how many times I heard "or my daughter would be DEAD by now" I'd be filthy rich. You'd think all these moms had their kids posted up on some demarcation line or something. Most of those girls would not be "DEAD by now." But most parents who buy into these people's crap end up saying that or something close. This is in no way directed specifically toward you, "Carol heather's mom." Just a thought. Maybe your daughter would be, for all I know. But it's grotesque how often that's said. It's melodramatic, at best. At worst... well, maybe it should tell parents something about their parenting, not their kid. If you can't even keep 'em alive, maybe the parents are the ones who need specialized programs of some kind. Just a thought.

Suggested reading, more on all that: Help At Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Maia Szalavitz.

As far as "old ghosts" go... I've been networking with old Rebekah Home (that's where NBGA started and was once called, then New Beginnings Rebekah Academy, then finally New Beginnings Girls Academy and New Beginnings Ministries) alumni and NBGA alumni for years now. All the way from back in the day when they were in Corpus Christi, TX in the 70s and 80s to the reopening of Rebekah '99-'01 to right now. The amount of people who claim to have had traumatic experiences, TO DATE, outnumbers those who say it was just some kind of "tough love" by faaaarrr.

120 people in the NBGA Survivor Group on Facebook. 120 people are... just bored? After growing up, becoming parents themselves, having careers, families, productive lives, they're just... wasting their time for no reason?

I myself was in Rebekah/NBGA through the transition. The home was investigated, cases of abuse WERE substantiated in court. Then, in 2001 it WAS CLOSED DOWN by the state... while I was in it. But we didn't get to go home. We just got shoved into a bus with all our belongings and were carted off to another state (Missouri) and housed in a trailer in the woods until they could buy a new property. They found another place in Florida, so they carted us off to Florida. When I finally got out of there, I did call CPS. They were investigated. They closed and moved back to Missouri.

Like I said, read up on it. If you actually care, you will. It'll take you quite some time before you get a solid grip on the entire situation. It's a hell of a web.

The biggest problem with these types of homes is that they aren't supervised or regulated. Loopholes. It's not like calling CPS on your neighbor or something. Totally different deal. But I guess you wouldn't know until you have to do it yourself.

When reports are made, officials have to jump through all kinds of crazy hoops. (Check out the Mother Jones article that the original poster of this complaint was featured in. The link is in one of these comments. It'll tell you all about it.) Even then, half the girls are too scared to talk and generally don't until a few years after they've been out and have had time to process it. (If you aren't fully familiar, look up details on PTSD.) The rest are have just given up... they're told they're terrible people from the day they go in until the day that they leave and that New Beginnings is all that can save their lives. Thought reform will work on practically anyone who is frightened enough, isolated enough, separated enough from their own identity and anyone who could help them remember it.

I talk to girls all the time who got out not long ago at all who say the same things girls have been saying for years. I wish I could, but I don't believe it has gotten better. Maybe sneakier. Maybe slicker on the exterior. But suddenly miraculously therapeutic? ...I don't think so.

All that said, I don't discredit anyone's opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own. If you felt helped, I would never want you to feel the opposite way. But remember how much goes on behind closed doors. Remember how compartmentalized it is. And don't be naive enough to think that you knew everything about everything that's ever gone on there.

And, like I said, you're all entitled to your own opinions, but it literally made me ill to see anyone "thank God" for New Beginnings but a few posts after - on the very same page - as a girl who claims she was sexually abused there. I was there at the same time as that girl. She said the same thing ever since. Not a line of her story has changed.

Even if they snapped their fingers and tomorrow New Beginnings was perfect, would you really feel comfortable letting them take total control of your child with these very same incessant complaints pouring out of that place for years upon years? If so... I, too, am entitled to my opinion. And my opinion is that you'd have to be really stupid or just... s i c k.

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Carol heather's mom
, US
Dec 12, 2011 7:56 pm EST

I thank God for New Beginnings.If not for them, my daughter may very well have been dead by now.

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Dinah M.
jupiter, US
Dec 12, 2011 7:26 pm EST

I don't know what it was like when you all were there, but I experienced nothing like that. Tough yes, but it is a place for troubled youth. I believe it has changed because of closer government scrutiny, so you may be railing about old ghosts. After six months of stay at New Beginnings, the detained girl is granted a 3 day, 2 night visit with her family and if any thing is wrong they can tell their parents or the police then or in phone calls and e mails. The current program is great so I don't know who you're tryong to save? Seek counselling to help you move on if you haven't already and let God work His healing in your broken minds.

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SulkySue
, US
Dec 12, 2011 7:09 pm EST

@ Simone - You can't have your cake and eat it too on a public board. Everyone has a right to put their 2 cents in.