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West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:38 pm
by _dblagent007
West Ridge Academy, fka Utah Boys Ranch, has missionaries that show nothing but love to boys that "have acted out as the result of a trying family situation," "have behavioral issues," or "have been involved with drugs and alcohol."
http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_livin ... e/?id=7284The missionaries are "not there to proselytize." "They're there to teach Christian-based principles and be a person to turn to."
"We feel like the most important thing that we probably do of all the things we do is that we just acknowledge them and love them," Wollenzien said. She and her husband, Ivan, are the school's head missionaries.
That love is unconditional, said Sister Sharon Mears. Regardless of the attitudes or anger issues the young people might bring to the missionaries' offices, nothing gets in the way of their endearment, she said.
"You almost instantly fall in love with them," said Elder Edwin Mears, who with his wife works on the school's campus for girls. "It surprised me how quickly."
The Wollenziens have been serving at the school for more than 17 months and in that time have seen changes of heart and formed lasting relationships with some of the young men they work with.
Lory Wollenzien remembers the way one boy would smile when she teased him about being her bodyguard. She remembers his dimples, and tears up when she recalls the moment one boy from a very strained family background asked if he could call her "Mom." She fondly reflects on a boy who "played the bagpipes beautifully." She lets young men win at Rummikub, draws pictures for others and gives Glenn Beck DVDs to the boys who graduate.
It's people like the Wollenziens who are able to show the boys and girls affection or take them out of the facility on weekends, Allen said.
Ivan Wollenzien took one young man on a three-day mule trip, and takes other students snowboarding and skiing -- opportunities they may have never had before. They help them with their Eagle Scout projects, go to their basketball games and invite them into their homes for the holidays -- even after they've graduated.
This sounds like a great place to send a rebellious child!
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:42 pm
by _harmony
Another side heard from.
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:37 pm
by _DarkHelmet
dblagent007 wrote:She lets young men win at Rummikub, draws pictures for others and gives Glenn Beck DVDs to the boys who graduate.
Making them watch Glann Beck DVDs must be part of their torture regimen.
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:33 pm
by _Dr. Shades
I wonder--was this piece commissioned in response to GoodK's efforts?
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:39 pm
by _GoodK
Dr. Shades wrote:I wonder--was this piece commissioned in response to GoodK's efforts?
Of course it was.
I'm way to preoccupied to post responses to all the peanut gallery's other nonsense (to be honest, I probably won't ever), but I do have to thank dblagent007 for posting this here.
I am ecstatic after reading this.
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:29 pm
by _truth dancer
This sounds like a great place to send a rebellious child!
Are you kidding?
What this little bit of information shows me is that these children don't need to be raised in a residential facility.
I have no idea why anyone thinks children with "soft to moderate" behavior problems need to be taken away from their families to be raised in an institution. Again, we are not talking about children who exhibit violence, serious mental health issues, or some deviant behavior. (The facility clearly states they are not equipped for such children).
There are plenty of resources to help parents, children, and families without removing a "rebellious" child from the home.
~td~OMT (one more thing), giving children Glen Beck DVDs should be against the law.
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:30 pm
by _rcrocket
One thing to keep in mind about the West Ridge Academy: It is a religous-themed academy. Parents send their children there knowing it is run by Mormons and will have Mormon lessons and doctrine.
It's like sending your kids to BYU knowing that they'll have to take religion classes.
There are many examples of these boot camps -- many -- with religious themes. Parents knowingly know what they are getting into.
The Mormon Gulag story is just a lot of exaggeration on GoodK's part. I believed some or all of it at first, but then when he would provide details of reports he made or lawyers representing him, I had my doubts and my doubts have now coalesced into mocking doubt.
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:32 pm
by _rcrocket
Should one take offense at the notion that kids there go to Mormon devotionals and meet with low level Mormon instructors, when that is the original basis for the camp?
Should I take offense to the fact that my kids at BYU take mandatory religion classes?
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:05 pm
by _marg
rcrocket wrote:The Mormon Gulag story is just a lot of exaggeration on GoodK's part.
What specifically do you think Eric or anyone has exaggerated?
Re: West Ridge Academy Missionaries Tutor With Love
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:28 pm
by _rcrocket
marg wrote:rcrocket wrote:The Mormon Gulag story is just a lot of exaggeration on GoodK's part.
What specifically do you think Eric or anyone has exaggerated?
I think that you exaggerated your knowledge of Native American DNA markers for starts. You based it entirely off of internet sites.
As to the question about the "Mormon Gulag," you might recall I responded to this identical question in another thread on Apr 13, 2009 10:26 pm. You may not like the response but I gave it. Since you didn't respond, I hold it against you.