Can anyone help me find info on Teen Challenge the religious drug rehab group?

[Shallah Kali]

I am trying to find out as they had a teen outside the local grocery the other day asking for donations and the person I was shopping with gave even though I advised finding out how good they actually are before giving. This otherwise very intelligent person unfortunately does not understand that not all groups that call themselves Christian walk the talk. I also keep trying to point out that not all charities put their donations to good use, instead paying those in charge huge paychecks and the like, so to check up on them with the better business bureau and American Institute of Philanthropy before donating.

The flier they gave me said they have an 86.6% success rate which sounds bogus to me. I am wondering if this is the fundamentalist organization I once read of that faked their numbers by only counting people who stayed in the program full time. Also they have a video from * right on their front page which makes me think they really must be full of hooey. http://www.tcnewengland.org

[casaloma]

1. I've Heard Good Things

I was involved in adolescent drug tx (as a provider haha) for some years. There was a Teen Challenge in our town and when I left there its Director was a young man I had employed who had been through the pgm himself some yrs before. They do run a very rigorous program which involves hard manual labor, running a farm, etc. They are religious but all I can really say is that the young man I knew was a excellent employee and seemed absolutely aboveboard in all his dealings.

[Greyhound]

2. The senior Greyhound lives right next to them.

They have a couple of acres and 3 or 4 houses next to my dad. The only thing I can say about them first hand is that the guy who runs the place is not outwardly extravagant.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Google teen challenge lawsuit

There are many results.

Also, found this at opensecrets.org
Don't know how helpful this info is for you

http://www.opensecrets.org/search_results.php?q=teen+challenge&cx=010677907462955562473%3Anlldkv0jvam&cof=FORID%3A11&sa=Go!#235

[JanusAscending]

4. They have been around and doing good things since the

late sixties, early 70's. They were origionally affiliated with the AG Church. Their founder was a former gang member, Nicki Cruise. He reached out to teens on the streets, many of them homeless, and brought them to Christ. They have been very successful in the past. I would say you can't compare their success rate with established "well to do" drug rehab centers. These expensive centers haven't got much to crow about I'd say, given the rate that the "stars keep having to go back" again and again.

[Shallah Kali]

7. I wouldn't compare any group to the star rehabs. I mean REAL rehab that you can't leave to will

to go on a shopping spree. I am talking about places with fully trained psychologists, doctors etc. I have read of faith based rehabs which allow people to choose whether to take part in the religious aspects and who's staff was trained not just in religion but certified trained addiction councilors. And then I have read of faith based rehabs where staff who only had religious training. Personally if I was to donate it would only be to a center like the first group.

[2rth2pwr]

5. rehab is for quitters. nt

[la la]

6. Two young women

from Teen Challenge came to our door on the weekend--and I gave them $10 before they were even finished with their spiel. I once was Baptist and now----nuttin', but I've always heard good things about them- although they do proselytize at times and can be pains in the butts. But if it works for them............

[SoCalDem]

8. They are a front organization to get government funds

We had a "bad boy" and I tried everything i could think of .. My friend and I went to teen Challenge to see what they had to offer.. They wanted to know FIRST off if we were on public assistance.. I said no.. Then they wanted to know if we would "emancipate" him.. I asked for the tour of the place.. I saw NO " young teens"..but I did see a LOT of young men.. The guide told me that their "main core" of clients were 16-19..

Bells went off..big time.. They want kids referred from the juvenile system or emancipated minors who are on public assistance..

They hemmed and hawed when I asked to see their financial information and how they were funded./. (this was pre-internet)..

They may have changed..but I would check thoroughly ...