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Teen Challenge International
updated: Sep 14, 2012, 7:37 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Legitimate? Scam? The web site looks legit, but nowadays who knows? Anybody have experience with this group?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

ROGER DODGER	2012-09-14 07:59 PM
Google it it's on the web I think they have offices in Ventura. It's a christian organazation started by the Rev. David Wilkerson many years ago 1960's or 70's..I've given them a few bucks before they take kids off the street..Usually they offer something in exchange for the donation.
COMMENT 320207P	2012-09-14 08:13 PM
New twist on street beggers. Give them anything and you encourage their return.
COMMENT 320220	2012-09-14 08:34 PM
It's a cult.
COMMENT 320340	2012-09-15 09:01 AM
Talk to them. They are teenagers, they like to talk. Ask them questions and find out.
FLICKA	2012-09-15 09:02 AM
They came to our house in Carp two days ago. I agree with 220, cult. I've seen them over the years set up in front of Albertsons, they have some hokey stuff to hand out if you make a donation. Bet the Reverend who runs it lives a pretty cushy life.
COMMENT 320370	2012-09-15 09:56 AM
You forgot to start with, "Dear Penthouse..." It sounds like brainwashing (reeducation, if you prefer) for drug addicts, prostitutes, gang members, etc. I'd rather have cult kids around than gang bangers.
COMMENT 320373	2012-09-15 10:04 AM
Flicka - Teen Challange is an organization that runs a number of drug and alcohol rehab programs across the country, and not just for teenagers these days. The board (not a single reverend) who runs it are unpaid volunteers who invest a lot of time (and money if they have it) into the women's facility in Ventura and a men's facility near Bakersfield. The success rate with these programs is remarkably high and normally much higher than for-profit programs where someone is possibly getting rich. Faith-based programs may not be your cup of tea, but do try to find the facts and stick to them or you may appear to be making up facts to support your own preexisting biases.
COMMENT 320377P	2012-09-15 10:12 AM
I've had them at my door, and said "good luck, no thanks." I am totally opposed to donating to organizations like this that are not serving my local area, not to mention coming to my door (scary) or soliciting patrons at a grocery store. They come here because they think we have more money than their actual neighbors and that we will be a "soft touch." Unless that appeals to you, ignore them.
COMMENT 320427	2012-09-15 11:59 AM
Teen Challenge is a good organization. If you don't support teens trying to deal with drug problems that's okay but don't opine about teen drug problems then. If you're not assisting in the solution it's best not to add to the problem. These kids are trying to raise funds to pay for their treatment program. No tax breaks, no Medi-Cal or insurance is available to them... these kids are probably getting food stamps. Santa Barbarans are developing a reputation for disdain for poor people, for the have-nots while we gloat in all the we have. Hmmm, ... I guess a church on every block doesn't say anything about the character of a community after all. Teen Challenge is no more cult than AA, NA or the Salvation Army with it's fake Santa Clauses ding ding dinging for donations outside Albertons, Vons or RiteAid. At least they have measurable success at weening kids off drugs.... and that's a good thing no matter how you parse it.
COMMENT 320446P	2012-09-15 12:36 PM
It's the Christian version of the Scientologists' Narconon. Dangerous cult.
ROGER DODGER	2012-09-15 01:18 PM
Think what you want it's a free country but I know of a woman who was totally strung out on all kinds of drugs and that program saved her life. If that is a cult so is AA.
GRANNYFRANNY	2012-09-15 03:09 PM
I was stopped in front of a supermarket by one of these kids a while ago: I said, "Teen Challenge? No thanks, I raised six teens, that's enough of a challenge for any one lifetime."
CORKY	2012-09-15 10:28 PM
Oops. I gave a nice young woman in recovery $2. She only asked for a quarter or more, but think they're the same ones we usually see in supermarket parking lots. I usually don't give them anything, but liked her when she came to my door. I have a receipt.

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