(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)
We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Teen Challenge. For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm. If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Teen Challenge, you have the right to take action.
If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Teen Challenge, please contact [email protected] if you remember the long-term employees and from which years. This will help! Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.
Please don’t place your loved one in Teen Challenge and rescue them if they are there now.
|
Name |
Unit/Position |
Additional Information |
| Russell L. Cambria | Executive Director | Buffalo Location--Teen Challenge of WNY* |
| Kurt Tarkington | Director | HEAL is in the process of reviewing the enrollment materials for this location. |
| Chris Brown | Program Director | |
| DeeDee Bernardoni | Director | Buffalo Location--New Creation Women's Center* This program is affiliated with Teen Challenge of WNY. |
| Richard (Rick)Mecklenborg | Director | Owego Location--Candlehouse Teen Challenge* Also associated with Bethel Grove Bible Church.* There is no enrollment information available online for this program. |
| Jimmy & Miriam Jack |
Founders/President/ Married |
Long Island Location--Long Island Teen Challenge (in West Babylon)
The Jacks are "graduates" of the Brooklyn Teen Challenge from 1984. Partnered with: Brooklyn Teen Challenge Book of Hope Central Bible College Global Teen Challenge Global Mainline--Bernie Gillott International Missionary Pure Life Ministries Times Square Church (Founded by Teen Challenge Founder David Wilkerson) Teen Challenge USA/Teen Challenge Ministry Institutes World Challenge (David Wilkerson's international cult) There is no enrollment information available for this location. |
| Willie Ramos | Asst. Executive Director | Ramos "graduated" Teen Challenge in 1997, |
| Anna Ramos | (Willie's wife) Staff | |
| Victor D. Harris | Men's Intake | No further info on Harris at this time.* |
| Anna Ramos | (Willie's daughter?) Women's Intake | No further info on Ramos at this time.* |
| John Benton | President |
Garrison Location--Walter Hoving Home (Walter Hoving Home is also in Las
Vegas, NV and Pasadena, CA) Benton is the president for all three
locations in NY, NV, & CA.
Other NY Staff: Elizabeth Zielinski, VP Other NV Staff: Deborah Young, Assoc. Director Other CA Staff: Elsie Benton, Director |
| Beth Greco | Vice President | |
| Don Wilkerson | Director | Brooklyn Location--Brooklyn Teen Challenge--David Wilkerson's (Founder) brother. HEAL is in the process of reviewing the enrollment materials for this program. |
| Jerome D. Williams | Staff | Williams is a Teen Challenge "graduate" that has stayed with the cult since 2002. |
| Peter M. Sehen | Staff | Sehen is a Teen Challenge "graduate" that has stayed with the cult since 2005. |
| Brittany Fox | Staff | Runs the thrift store. |
| Walter Thomas | Director | Rochester Location--Teen Challenge Training Center* This program is affiliated with Teen Challenge of WNY. Thomas reportedly no longer works for Teen Challenge of Rochester. Thomas reportedly now works at The Open Door Mission in Rochester, NY. |
| David Pilch | Director | Syracuse Location--Syracuse Teen Challenge HEAL is in the process of reviewing the enrollment information for this program. |
| Teen Challenge Information--See www.heal-online.org/StraightandTeenChallenge.htm | ||
| HEAL Review-- Teen Challenge Ranch in Morrow, AR Contract & Enrollment Materials HEAL is in the process of reviewing the available enrollment materials for the above program(s). In the meantime, we invite you to read the review of the Teen Challenge Ranch of Morrow, AR contract linked in this segment as the contracts are likely very similar and the program ought to be avoided. | ||
*Teen Challenge, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices. Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience. Thank you for your help.
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