TALK IS CHEAP -- MORE ON HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

There were a couple of very interesting and moving comments in response to my post about Heartland Christian Academy, which I will reproduce below:

From Kari:

hi my name is kari i was actually sent there to heartland christian academy for 3 years i have now been out for a year there is alot of horrible things that went on there that no one even knows about.. they cut my hair to above my ears they would not allow us to talk for weeks at a time we were forced to read the bible and got to 25 church services if not more in a week we lived in dorms with no windows and we had a courtyard were we could "go outside" but there were 30 foot walls around it so we could only glimpse the sky one punishment was to hit us with a big paddle while being bent over by grown men until we couldnt take anymore and we would fall out they also made us dig 6ft by 6ft graves and made us lay in them how sick is that they told us we were burying our old selves and now god could live in us if people needed to unite over something this is it it is an evil place and yes torture is describing their acts they should be shut down immediatley i tried to kill myself there and i know several kids tonight that are locked up there are contimplating it my email is leaveit2kari87@yahoo.com we need to do something

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From Galnoir:

OMG! My husband and I drove past the Heartland compound just this past Friday . . .

I will pass this info on to my state reps and ask what can be done to shut them down. (Unfortunately, the Missouri state lege is in the hands of some real whackos, on up to Gov. "Boy" Blunt, so I won't hold my breath ... but I'll do what I can.) 

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These kinds of comments always bring me up short because they are such a sharp reminder that all I am doing is sitting in my comfy chair and opining.  I obviously have certain very strong ideas but it really doesn't make much of a real-world difference how badly I feel for the children at Heartland Christian Academy or how evil I think it is. 

As far actually doing something, I feel as though I don't really any brilliant ideas but I will open the thread up for discussion. The difficulty in this case is that the State of Missouri's prior efforts on behalf of the children at Heartland have been found to be outside the bounds of the law and the State has been punished for it.  A juvenile officer was ordered to pay $800,000 to Heartland to compensate it for an improper mass removal of juveniles from the facility.  It appears that the State has done all it can under the law for the time being and it appears likely that the State will tread carefully in the future.  Any solution would probably require passing new legislation in Missouri-- perhaps some sort of law regarding state monitoring of juvenile boot camps or boarding schools.   

Here is what I will do, as little as it is: I am going to email this post to Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (PTAVE) and to Prevent Child Abuse Missouri because they may have more practical ideas than I about what could be done.  And I certainly urge anyone who is a Missouri resident, like Galnoir, to speak to your state rep. about the situation and about whether any legislation could be passed to remedy it.

As for children who are currently in Heartland and contemplating suicide, I am not sure I know enough about the situation to give good advice.  But here are my thoughts: If you have specific information about a child at Heartland contemplating suicide, the authorities would surely intervene in some way.  But I am not sure how far such intervention would go in protecting these children FROM Heartland, as opposed to merely preventing the imminent threat of suicide.  Heartland itself may end up dealing with the situation and I don't know if they take a punitive approach to suicide attempts. (Kari, you know better than I do how Heartland is likely to respond to a suicide attempt.)  Another option might be to inform these children's parents if you have their contact information -- although presumably the parents actually approve of Heartland's methods. (Kari, I will email you the link to report this matter to the Missouri Department of Social Services, if you choose to report to them any imminent danger to a child at Heartland.)

It's frustrating. I wish I had better ideas as to how to respond.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

Comments

[Matt Brunk]

Oh and by the way i just read the peoples magazine article and its all true. Josh O'rourke is the guy that got paddled so bad my first day. And if you dont believe it its cause you have no F****** clue about anything.

[Carissa]

I was at Heartland for about a year and ahalf. The main reason nothing is being done is because the government has ehh lawyers, but a multi millionare can hire the best of the best. As for the government MO is the only state i believe in the US whos priviate schools do not have to report to the government. The reason that they can get away with all the swats aka spankings, with out getting in trouble is because the government said they can give a certain amount but they exceed it.
While I lived there I have witnesses a male run at 2 girls who ran-a-way with the paddle to swat them (he had a running start). I have seen the aftermath of a paddle (cannoe ore) broken over a 6 year olds bottom. A girl who wouldn't take showers, they made get in to the shower with her clothes on every hour on the hour and take a shower then made her sit in the wet clothes. If anyone saw the "Ugly Dress's" I was the one that brought that on and that would be because I hated them. They figure out what you hate and intenseify it by at least double. I didn't and still do not believe in there religion and I wasn't allowed a permotion at work. They do make children before they can legally work, work they just call it volunteering, and pay everyone else.
Parents do not understand the risk that they are putting there child in because they sugar coat it. While parents are there anyone who comes in contact with them they become so nice. Thats kinda how the world works potentail customers are treated better than workers. Thats the way Heartland works Parents are the customers and kids are the workers litterly. In my final sentance I would just like to say if your a parent sending kids in, they will come out worse, so don't risk it.

[Leigha]

Kari, Matt, and Carissa.
How pathetic are ya'll? Blaming your problems and heartache on Heartland. I was in Heartland for over 5 years, and I am positive that I have had more swats and other punishments them all three of yall combined. Heartland is strict and disiplined but think what put yall there. It was not because yall were well behaved children. Heartland gave yall another chance at life, a new start. They believed that you could change when everyone else lost hope in you. Stop acting like you are the victim and for once in your life be thatnkful that you had another chance. There are things that I don't like about Heartland but I am so grateful for it.

[Carissa]

First of Leigha I don't think I am a victim, but others were. I was put there because of my father not because I was acting up. They were not the only ones that believed in me either. I never had swats but I've witnessed many. I'm glad it worked out for you but the majority of children there do not turn out as well as you. I would also like to ask you when you were there and if you still are? If you were there in the very beginning it's changed and if your still there then you still live in the bubble that they have built. I also would like to add that we are not pathetic it is pathetic that you Leigha think that all is well because your happy with the way you were treated. I am not and many others aren't. It needs to change.

[Leigha]

Carissa
I was at Heartland for over 5 years. I was there in the middle of everything. I was there for October 30th, I was there for all the arrests, i was even there for all the court hearings. I know what goes on there better then anyone. BECAUSE I LIVED THROUGH ALL OF IT!!!
I also was placed in heartland because of a parent, My Step-Mom, she did not want any of my dad's kids around so off we went. Most parent would have thought of me as a normal teen, when I left home i did not have many major behavioral problems, i was just a average teen. Also I did not like how i was treated all the time, but I did not always like how my parents treated me also. The world does not revolve around a individual. Your not always going to like what you have to go through. But in the end you have the choice to become a better person by it. Look at heartland as a growing experience. Use your life struggles to help others get through rough times in their lifes. Be a light to someone who feels like their life can't get any worst and there is no way out, show them that you made it through the tough times and they can too.

[Leigha]

Carissa
I was at Heartland for over 5 years. I was there in the middle of everything. I was there for October 30th, I was there for all the arrests, i was even there for all the court hearings. I know what goes on there better then anyone. BECAUSE I LIVED THROUGH ALL OF IT!!!
I also was placed in heartland because of a parent, My Step-Mom, she did not want any of my dad's kids around so off we went. Most parent would have thought of me as a normal teen, when I left home i did not have many major behavioral problems, i was just a average teen. Also I did not like how i was treated all the time, but I did not always like how my parents treated me also. The world does not revolve around a individual. Your not always going to like what you have to go through. But in the end you have the choice to become a better person by it. Look at heartland as a growing experience. Use your life struggles to help others get through rough times in their lifes. Be a light to someone who feels like their life can't get any worst and there is no way out, show them that you made it through the tough times and they can too.

Whoa! I am having severe problems with my daughter and I was told that this program would help her. After reading all this I am now completely confused and more than a little scared!!!

[Carissa]

I was there for all of those things also except for the removal of the children. I was also interviewed by DFS, but I felt that I couln't be hosest because they placed a Heartland Rep in there video taping. On top of that it is unstable I moved 6times while I was there imagine a 13 year old moving that many times in a year and a half. It's rediculus. I imagine Leigha that your still there. There will be a loud wake up call someday. (If you were the Leigha that was in the 8th grade in 00 with Gracie, let me know.) I felt like I was in jail. They also Discriminate I didn't believe in there religion and I wasn't treated in the same way as everyone else. I don't look at it as a good experence nor will I ever. I was treated better than the way I was at home, I had a family that loved me kinda, if any one has been in a foster family then you know that there kids come first and therefore you feel second but it was better than my home. Some kids are treated well, every bad place has some good but the fact is most aren't. There are alot of things that parents aren't aware of when they drop there kids off. They will be going to church every day. They can not speak to the opposite sex, now granted most have problems with the opposite sex but, in order to opperate in the real world they need to speak with, communicate with, and even be romanticly involved with the opposite sex. They also do not let you take meds for things like ADHD, depression ect, because they think that god can cure them.
Anyway Leigha I've never thought that the world revolved around me, your doing what they have always done and twist things. I've gone though many things that I HATED but I got over those, this one I can't , this one needs to be stopped. This struggle should not be used as a example for others to see, this one should not happen anymore. This is not a tough time, a tough time is when your hungery and you have nothing to eat. A though time is when you have no where to live. But this is horrible and needs to be stopped soon. This place is not of God, this place is and ego trip taken on to long. This place is a Cult no matter how many times Charle Sharp says it isn't, this place will stop. Mabey someone just needs to have the guts like the Children services guy and try to close them. Hosenstly they are the ones that made me want to go into law, and I would love to be the one to close it down. If your sending your children there I think your lazy. Your children aren't that bad no matter what you think. You just need to take time out of your life and fix theres. You can't just put a bandaid on a deep huge cut and expect it to work. If your desperate there are places in California that do not swat, and do not make you believe in there life. I suggest that.

[Leigha]

No, I am not at Heartland anymore. In fact I am in College making grades comparable to honors standing. I would not be here doing what I am doing if it was not for Heartland. I was under Heartland rules throughout all of High school and was not allowed to talk to guys. Today I communicate fine with guys heartland did not hinder my ability to communicate with people of the opposite sex. Also when I came to Heartland I was taking meds for extreme ADHD they took me off the meds and it did not kill me. In fact I graduated top of my class.
Carissa you said that you have gotten over a lot of stuff in your life but heartland is not one of them and probably never will be one of them, i am just the opposite. I have problems getting over things like my mom dying, my dad remarrying, physical and verbal abuse, October 30th and rejection. Problems I had at or with Heartland is not on that list.
To quote myself, "Life is like a poker hand, you can't choose the cards you are dealt, but it's your job to make the best out of that hand."
Being angry or sad about what life hands your will get you nowhere. At the beginning, you can fold and give up or you can discard your bad cards and hope that your hand gets better. Don't hold on to those bad cards or bad memories, discard them and hope for a better future for yourself.
Honestly, I hope heartland never gets shut down. I hope that one day I can take my children there and show them the place that my life changed and the people who God used to help change my life.

Sending your children to Heartland does not mean that you are lazy. If your child is not getting the help they need where they live now, then sending them to heartland is showing them that you love them enough no to let them stay on the negative path they have chosen. But I will be honest at first they will hate you for it, they wont understand why and they wont want to be there. But hopeful one day you and your child will realize that it was the best thing for both of you.

And yes this is Leigha from the 8th grade in 00 with Gracie. Where you in that class also?? With Mr.Jones

[Carissa]

Well, I have a child, and I will not be bring her there to reminice about good times. If I ever bring her there I will show her what fanatic Christians are, and fanatic is not a good thing. I will show her what not to be, I will show her that this is what Judging others will get you, nowhere.
I believe that yes you have to make the best out of everything, BUT I also believe that children should not be made to deal with this. Heartland actually confused me about God, they made me hate him even not believe in him. But now I do not because of them but because I was allowed to be open to other things when I left.
The reason I have a problem with taking certain perscription drugs away is because they are on them for a reason. Honestly I am not willing to bet there life on God helping them, God gave us Scientist they gave us help they are there for a reason. You honestly can't tell me that you've let go of your past memories, memories are life they are what makes us, that is why so many people who have the memory of Heartland, are trying to shut it down.
Heartland will be shut down one day, one day someone will go in there and say hey I don't care how much money you have or how many lawyers the fact is this is wrong and I'm stopping it. The reason the gov. got in trouble the first time is not because they were of the devil or that is was wrong, it was because Charlie Sharpe has alot of money, money talks and so do the best lawyers. In a little county which is where Heartland is located there not going to have the best Lawyers or the sorces or the best investigational tools. But CS can. Some day it's going to burn, but for now all anyone can do is inform, so that is what I'm doing.
Mabey all the parents should look at things more closely and I can't stress enough, READ THE CONTRACT fully don't glace READ.
I still think that if you send your kid there your lazy and always will. If he/she needs help look for another place, oh i don't know, mabey somewhere that doesn't have a criminal past. It was never and will never be the best thing, nor will it be for many kids and many adults even. I personaly would never wheather its true or not send my child to a place that even has a smige of something against them.
Yes, i was in that class I was friends with Amber if you remember her, and tori. I remember you would drive me nuts. lol