This is the History of and Reporting Guide for Teen Challenge of Georgia (Locations: Athens (closed), Atlanta, Columbus, Lithonia (closed), Stone Mountain (closed), Carrollton (closed), Bremen (closed), Augusta (closed), Douglasville (closed), Macon, Meansville, and Dublin.)  

 

On this page you will find incomplete staff and complaint histories with sources cited, the general advisory against segregated congregate care with sources cited, and a reporting guide for those unlawfully harmed or firsthand witnesses to unlawful harm by or at this location to report violations of the law to the proper authorities/law enforcement.  The staff list itself will not be updated with additional names out of a sense of fairness where those providing the names ask for anonymity or confidentiality.  This program is no longer eligible for merciful release as a guest sermon is on file.  However, it can graduate the COPE Conversion Program by meeting the Honesty In Marketing Standards (HIMS) or permanently close to be removed from the watch-list/released from the COPE Conversion Program.  If permanently closed prior to graduation, it will be buried in the virtual graveyard.

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
NO NAMES NO TITLES Athens Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.
Tim & Barbara Newbon Directors Atlanta Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*  There are no enrollment materials available online or to the general public for this location.
Greg W.Keylon Executive Director Meansville Location--Prayer Mountain Boys Academy--Read about the battle in Meansville!  --According to the Teen Challenge bio, Mr. Keylon grew up in the Teen Challenge cult.  HEAL is in the process of reviewing the enrollment materials for this program.  See below for more information.
NO OTHER NAMES NO OTHER TITLES Meansville Location--Prayer Mountain Boys Academy--There is no further information on staff for this location.*  HEAL is in the process of reviewing the enrollment materials for this program.  See below for more information.
Claude Mooneyhan Director Columbus Location--Columbus Girls' Center--He and wife Berita have been Teen Challenge cult-members since 1989.  There are no enrollment materials available online or to the general public for this location.
Rebecca Boone Program Manager Columbus Location (Actual Location: Seale, AL) --Columbus Girls' Academy--Program claims to be registered as a non-public school with Alabama Department of Education and to be accredited by the National Association of Private Schools (NAPS).  HEAL submitted a request to the Alabama Department of Education regarding verification of Columbus Girls' Academy's claim regarding registration and for further information on what exactly such registration provides in terms of assurance regarding oversight, accountability, and quality of service.  Columbus Girls' Academy is accredited by NAPS.  But, what does this mean?  NAPS charges "accreditation fees" and relies solely on "peer review" and self-evaluation in its accreditation process.  These do not represent a valid basis for oversight or accountability and it raises serious concerns.  NAPS is membership organization first and accreditation appears to be a benefit of paid membership.  This is unethical.  NAPS charges a $145 application fee, $395 accreditation fee, $30.00 certification fee, and annual renewal fee of $195.  Boone is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Sarah Gibson Counselor Gibson is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Patricia Julian Counselor Julian is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Kimberly Blank School Administrator Blank is not a licensed educator in Alabama.  Source: http://tcert.alsde.edu/Portal/Public/Pages/SearchCerts.aspx
Karen Sumpter Teacher Sumpter is not a licensed educator in Alabama.  Source: http://tcert.alsde.edu/Portal/Public/Pages/SearchCerts.aspx
Emily Christensen Residential Staff Christensen is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Jenny Brickley Residential Staff Brickley is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Emily Harper Junior Staff Harper is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Annette Prim Program Assistant Prim is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Kate Fagin Program Assistant Fagin is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Randy Roberts Senior Administrator Roberts is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
June Morfi Administrative Asst. HEAL did not perform a background/qualifications check on Morfi since clerical work typically does not require special licensing or qualifications.
Denise Grossman Kitchen Coordinator HEAL did not perform a background/qualifications check on Grossman since kitchen/food prep typically does not require special licensing or qualifications.
Robert Lee Director Lee is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Karla Lee Director Lee is not a licensed counselor in Alabama.  Source: http://www.abec.alabama.gov/index.htm
Chris Trivolis Director Macon Location--Trivolis' only qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".  Appears to be operating as Challenge Lawn Maintenance from the program location.  And, Challenge Lawn Maintenance uses the same address and phone number as the program.  This program may be closed.
NO OTHER NAMES NO OTHER TITLES Macon Location--Macon Men's Center--There is no further information on staff for this location.
Paul Burek Director Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Burek's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".  There are no enrollment materials available online or to the general public for this location.
Lori Burek (Paul's wife) Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--
John & Lynne Shewman Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--John's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
Kathy Bracewell Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--
Charlie Bradley Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Qualification: Received treatment for addiction at a local hospital.
Jim Fennell Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--
Brian Grady Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Brian's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
Jerry Hart Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Jerry's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
Melissa Hart Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Melissa's qualification is that she is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
Corey Paradie Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Corey's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
Clayton Stone Staff Dublin Location--Middle Georgia Men's Center--Clayton's qualification is that he is a Teen Challenge "graduate".
NO NAMES NO TITLES Lithonia  Location-- There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.
NO NAMES NO TITLES Stone Mountain Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*

From C. (Mother of victim of Stone Mountain Teen Challenge--Dated: July 21st, 2009):

My teenage son who was fifteen then, went to a teen challenge program in Stone Mountain, GA in January..He was assaulted by another kid the first week...he ran away from the facility and spent the night out in 10 degree weather...he was able to escape from the staff at least three times....they didn't even call me one time to let me know what was happening....he told me that there was another kid there that repeatedly masturbated in front of the other kids there.  He ran away another time and when they got him back they took him to a barber and had his head shaved...my son told me while he was in the barber shop the staff member who was supposed to be supervising him left to go next door to a tanning bed leaving him alone...where he obviously had the oportunity to run again...then he ran away again and the next day called me on someone's cell phone saying he was at the home of a staff memeber with another teenager...luckily my cousin was close enough to drive up there and get him...after I got him back I had problems getting them to send my son's belongings....I was informed during one phone call to try to retrieve his belongings that they were in the process of closing that facility down...one of the results of my son being there is a that when he ran away one time he shoplifted at a WalMart...we now have that legal issue to deal with...I thought I was paying for a twenty four hour babysitter and I got more problems...he was much worse when he got home...he had nightmares and lots of psychological problems including depression and anxiety which we have had to deal with...this program needs to be eliminated....I want them to pay for what they did to my son and to other kids.  that was the worst experience of my child's life to date...I hope they shut them down forever."

This program is closed.

NO NAMES NO TITLES Carrollton Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.
NO NAMES NO TITLES Bremen Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.
NO NAMES NO TITLES Augusta Location-- There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.  The phone number now belongs to "The UPS Store", totally unrelated business.
NO NAMES NO TITLES Douglasville Location--There is no information on staff for this location.*  This program is closed.
OPEN LETTER SUBMITTED BY FORMER STAFF TO ROBERT AND KARLA LEE OF THE COLUMBUS GIRL'S ACADEMY
Received: June 18th, 2013

To Bob and Karla Lee,


I have refrained from speaking with the two of you for a long time because the last few times I had spoken with you, I was threatened with the flames of hell. (Thanks Karla!) Anyway, ever since I left my position at Teen Challenge I have been examining all of what the two of you taught me in Teen Challenge.

 

First, you taught that God’s love was entirely conditional based on my performance. You required us to fast for 21 days every January. Also, Bob, you would frequently look down on the staff when we were not worshipping the way that you wanted. I remember a few different times when, in the middle of worship, you would reprimand us for being “silent and unexcited.” Maybe there are many ways to worship. If you don’t like the way the staff worships, then get over it. You can’t control everything. Or perhaps you should have considered that we were tired from the added hours to our shifts, and the constant inconveniences (due to Kate Fagin, who would manipulate and guilt trip the staff for not serving outside of their 40 hour shifts, church attendances, chapel attendances, and 3-5 hour long staff meetings.) Not only was our worship was criticized, but also our prayer. In staff meetings, you (Bob again) told us that if we could not pray in front of each other, then we were phony. Nothing like being forced into prayer and feeling guilty when we didn’t feel led to pray for anything. It was ridiculous that we felt this pressure to do everything right in front of you all the time. Bob you are a nightmare.

 

Second, you taught me that favoritism and judgement is okay. For example, Kate Fagin, a horrible leader and disrespectful staff, is “like a daughter to you” and you have fired two staff for contradicting her. However, you say you go against “favoritism.” Something doesn’t add up. While we are talking about favoritism, isn’t that why you (still Bob) typically picked the more attractive students to recruit for volunteer projects? I watched you favor many girls and then be very rude to others. Oh and lets not forget Shelby Hill, the celebrity of Teen Challenge! Shelby was frequently doing “her own thing.” After her shift, she would hit the bar and come back wasted. She also left the entire dorm, 20 girls, in the hands of one 17 year old (me) all night. Shelby had a boyfriend who she was sleeping with. Obviously he was kept a secret, but it didn’t last long because Shelby has religion instead of brains. Instead of firing her, like you did to two other respectable staff who were let go because of the awful/disrespectful supervisors, you allowed her a chance to resign. This chance was not given to any other staff even though Shelby’s case was by far the worst. This infuriates me.


Another negative thing that I experienced was how you spoke FOR God. I’ve heard many times “God wants this” and “God says that,” in situations just to make people do things. I was so terrified of leaving Teen Challenge, even though I was miserable, because of your influence. You inferred that if I were to go home, I would end up “falling down” just like many other girls who left the program. Also, I came to you, Karla, crying and miserable one day. You said the cause of my misery was because I am an unhappy person and because I am not spending time with the Lord. In all actuality, I was probably unhappy because my education was delayed, because I was stuck in confinement for three of my teenage years, and because I was crippled with your controlling religion. I was the most responsible staff that you had at the time (remember you told me that) yet I was still accused of not trying and not “living up” to your standard. Karla you are a damaging woman and you do not know “God.” BUT, I believe that a large source of the evil you commit, is lead by your husband. If you got a divorce I bet you would feel so free and happy. I know you are not free.


I’d also like to comment personally and more specifically on some of the staff as well. Annette means well, but she has a personality disorder. It’s called paranoid personality disorder (individual generally tends to interpret the actions of others as threatening.) I cannot even count the times that Annette has been seen falsely accusing other students of doing something wrong when they were not. It has happened to me before as well. Do you know how it feels to be constantly accused of doing something wrong? Karla, you might, because I’ve seen your husband disrespect you and take advantage of the fact that you are a woman. But if you don’t know how it feels, then I’ll tell you. It feels horrible. You are in leadership over young girls who have gone through way many more things you know and accusing them of doing something wrong when they are innocent is HURTFUL and DAMAGING. 


Then there is Kate Fagin. Kate Fagin is the most socially challenged, insecure supervisor I have ever had to deal with. Kate is not the cutest or the smartest, and she knows it, so she tortures everyone else! She loves to see the downfall of others. Kate even turned on her former friend, Emily Christensen, because Emily had a close friendship with someone else. Weird! Don’t even let me get started on Kate though, because I’ve already sent her a personal message. I don’t think you should know about ALL the evil things she’s done. She needs to deal with them herself.


Now I finally want to address something that is incredibly important for you to actually listen and hear me say. [removed]’s reputation was ruined and damaged by you. Her life was so fucking hard before and AFTER teen challenge and you did not help one ounce.  Her parents entrusted her to you, and all you did was constantly accuse her and disrespect her. I think that you were afraid of [removed], because of how strong she was and because she wouldn’t listen to your bullshit. However, she still needed to be loved and cared for. Karla and Bob, I wish I heard you say something nice about her every once in a while. Instead you called her a predator, and disciplined her right before her father passed away. Obviously it was not an intelligent decision for [removed] to even be in Teen Challenge while her father was in such critical condition, but then Rebecca and Pachi stormed against her and pushed back her home pass. Do you ever think about how you could have given [removed] an extra month to be with her dad before he passed away? She could have had 30 more days with him BEFORE he became a vegetable. By the time she did get home, his clear thinking was GONE, and he was constantly hallucinating. I hope you feel sorry for what you did. You try to control everything, and this is an example of how EVIL it is for you to play god and decide the fate of someones life.

 

I have a lot more to say, especially to Bob, but I will only say a little. I have never had a father. Mine is abusive and hateful (and he gets away with it because assholes like you glorify him.) Not even three weeks ago he said he never wanted kids. This explains why I was not cared for. Anyway, I was 15 years old when I entered teen challenge and 18 when I left and I didn’t ever see what a good male figure was like. At 14,15,16, even 17, and 18, the young girls at Teen Challenge with illegitimate, or deceased fathers (and mothers but thats another story) are craving healthy male attention. I feel so sorry for them because they try to impress you, Bob, but you will never care about them. You will look for ways to insult them, to demean them, and to patronize them. I wish more people knew about who you really are. Then they would never fucking allow their children near you. You are intrinsically evil, and you will never change.


That being said, I’m done. I hope you realized that what I have written is full of truth. I am considered evil to you, because I do not obey you. However, I am not evil. I am good. What you did not afford to me in love, self esteem, or care, I have afforded to myself. When I left Teen Challenge, I had daily panic attacks, social issues, severe depression, etc... because of all the messed up things I learned there. Day after day I wished that I was dead. Finally I got in touch with some good, normal friends and have been around happy NORMAL people. I have since healed myself. God does not “get the glory” for it either. You all have such a dependent mind-set, and because of this, you will never be free. I pity you, but I am also angry with you. 


Sincerely,


[PRIVATE/UNPUBLISHED]

 

REPORTING GUIDE FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND WHISTLEBLOWERS:
 
In Georgia, the criminal statutes of limitation are 2 years on misdemeanors, 4 years on most felonies, and no statute of limitations on more serious felonies including rape, murder and kidnapping.  For civil suits in Georgia, the statute of limitations is 2 years.  The Columbus Girls Academy is headquartered in Columbus, GA but operates in Seale, AL as well.  In Alabama, the criminal statutes of limitation are 1 year on misdemeanors, 5 years on most felonies, and no statute of limitations on more serious felonies including rape of a minor under age 16 at time of crime and murder.  For civil suits in Alabama, the statute of limitations is 2 years. Here are your options:
 
1.  Report crimes such as fraud, assault, battery, labor trafficking, and child abuse to law enforcement in Alabama and/or Georgia.  You can call the respective law enforcement/police department on the location where you were a victim of crime to inquire about filing an official complaint which may provide the probable cause needed to get a warrant for investigation and/or prosecution.  Below is a list of locations and the contact information for the law enforcement body responsible for enforcing the laws in that jurisdiction:

TEEN CHALLENGE LOCATION LAW ENFORCEMENT
Columbus Girls Academy in Seale, Alabama Call the Russell County Sheriff at (334)298-6535
Atlanta Teen Challenge Call the Atlanta Police at (404) 614-6544
Columbus Girls Academy in Columbus, Georgia Call the Columbus Police at (706) 225-3205
Macon Teen Challenge Call the Macon Police at (478) 751-9134
Meansville Teen Challenge Call the Pike County Sheriff at (770) 567-8431
Dublin Teen Challenge Call the Dublin Police at (478) 277-5023

 
2.  File a consumer complaint with your home state's attorney general against Teen Challenge and include your request for compensation for any harm done to you.  If your home state is Georgia or you'd like to file with the Georgia State Attorney General as a non-resident, here is that link:  https://consumer.georgia.gov/resolve-your-dispute/how-do-i-file-complaint  If your home state is Alabama or you'd like to file with the Alabama State Attorney General as a non-resident, here is that link: https://www.alabamaag.gov/consumercomplaint
 
3.  If you do not wish to file a consumer complaint, you can contact a private personal injury attorney and look into suing in tort/civil court.  However, if you can't afford the retainer, you should expect to settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement which may bar you from speaking publicly about the incident because you've agreed (even if with a grumbling assent) to the terms of the settlement. 
 
4.  You may send a new e-mail to rev@cope.church with subject "Post My Feedback" and we will post your feedback (e-mail printed to .pdf disclosing your name and e-mail address and any information in your e-mail with that subject) to https://www.cope.church/feedback.htm  and add a direct link to those .pdf files to this page . 

 5. You may also wish to provide a guest sermon.  Guest sermons are posted at https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm , under Progress Reports/Guest Sermons at https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm where appropriate, and on program info pages when applicable.  So, one provided by you on your program would also be placed on this page .  Guest sermons should be written into the body of an e-mail and sent to rev@cope.church . Your first and last name will be disclosed (contact info will not be unless you expressly request disclosure).  For sermons available on our site see https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm  (and sermon archives linked on that page).  If you have questions about this option, please contact rev@cope.church. Please see https://www.cope.church/givetoday.pdf  to get an idea what your sermon may be worth.

THE TRUTH:

All segregated congregate care providers, including those on our watch-list, are welcome to contact us to correct any information or provide additional data that may assist with delivering the whole truth to the public.  The HEAL Mission of COPE (HEAL) found in many cases where this offer has been abused or resulted in revealing additional basis for our concerns. For some examples see feedback.  Now, we are willing to look at the facts and may have questions or require documentation backing up any claims.  We do verify licensing, academic backgrounds, and other qualifications when investigating and researching programs on our watch-lis/enrolled in the Conversion Program to assist consumers seeking additional information on such programs or victims requiring assistance with getting corroborating evidence of their claims.  We do that in order to make sure the information we provide is accurate and verified and cite our sources.  In the event any information we've posted is in error, we're happy to make a correction. 

HEAL does not support segregated congregate care for many reasons which include that many such facilities are abusive, exploitative, fraudulent, and lack effective oversight often as a result of fraudulent misrepresentation coupled with the ignorance of those seeking to enroll loved ones in such facilities, programs, schools, or centers without a valid court order and involuntarily.  In the United States such involuntary placements done without a court order are apparently illegal as they either violate the Americans with Disabilities Act community integration requirement or due process rights of those involuntarily placed.  Now, in regards to parents, in the United States parents have the right to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.  See https://www.cope.church/legalarguments.htm for more information.  Now, most facilities on our watch list include waivers, indemnity clauses, and sworn statements legal guardians must sign assuring the program that the parents/legal guardians have the right to make the placement involuntarily and without due process in a segregated congregate care environment, however, California and federal prosecutors as well as settled law appears to suggest that is not the case.  In fact, in the David Taylor case found at https://www.cope.church/provocases.htm , Taylor sued Provo Canyon School and his mother as co-defendants.  His mother was found liable for 75% of the damages awarded to Taylor as a result of multiple complaints including false imprisonment, while the program was found only 25% liable because the mother owed a duty of due diligence to investigate anyone to which she would entrust care of her child and she failed to do so. 

Now, HEAL opposes segregated congregate care and we find most placements are happening illegally in the USA which if the youth understood their rights would result in unfortunate outcomes for the parents, particularly when they don't exercise good judgment and support the fraud and abuse rather than their own children when they need remedy and justice.  And, HEAL supports all victims of fraud and abuse in seeking remedies at law for any crimes or torts committed against them.  And, that's true whether or not the program or victims are in the USA. 

HEAL has a 5 point argument against segregated congregate care we'd like you to consider:

a.  Segregated care is unconstitutional and a civil rights violation.  It is only permissible if a person is unable to survive independent of an institutional environment.  For more on this, watch the HEAL Report at  https://youtu.be/C4NzhZc4P0A.  Or, see:   http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/  which includes in part:    "United States v. Florida – 1:12-cv-60460 – (S.D. Fla.) – On April 7, 2016, the United States filed an Opposition to the State of Florida’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In the Motion, the State had asked the Court to rule, on a variety of grounds, that the United States could not recover damages for unnecessarily institutionalized children to whom the State had been deliberately indifferent."

b.  Institutionalization is always dehumanizing and coercive.  Institutionalization always harms the institutionalized and deprives them of protected civil rights.  Dr. David Straker, Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University's School of Medicine (Ivy League) explains this in detail at http://changingminds.org/disciplines/sociology/articles/institutionalization.htm.  "Many institutions, from prisons to monasteries to asylums, deliberately want to control and manage their inmates such that they conform and do not cause problems. Even in less harsh environments, many of the institutionalization methods may be found, albeit in more moderated form (although the psychological effect can be equally devastating)."  (See website linked in this paragraph for more info.)

c.  Institutionalization is not in the best interest of children.  Institutions are not ever better for a child than living with a loving family.  Source:   http://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html       

d.  Reform schools, residential treatment programs, and other segregated congregate care settings have been shown to be ineffective and harmful.  Best source on this currently is:     https://www.acgov.org/probation/documents/EndoftheReformSchoolbyVinny.doc

e. Boarding Schools, even the "good ones", result in a form of social death, isolation, and cause both anxiety and depression.  Therefore, it is clearly not in the best interest of the youth subjected to those environments.  Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/08/boarding-school-syndrome-joy-schaverien-review and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11662001/The-truth-about-boarding-school-syndrome.html

Beyond the above arguments against segregated congregate care, we have reports from the NIH, Surgeon General, Yale University Studies, and much more showing the methodologies of behavior modification are damaging, harmful, and ineffective.  You can request these documents via e-mail.  In addition, for such programs offering academic services or claiming to offer diplomas, certifications, or the like, it is important to check to see if it is a diploma mill with no accredited academic services.  Please see article: "Avoiding Scams: What You Need To Know"  for important information on how to avoid education/training scams.

If you'd like to see what HEAL suggests rather than segregated congregate care (i.e. committing a crime or tort against your child if done against their will without a court order), please see articles: "Fix Your Family, Help Your Teen" and "Emancipation Guide".

2/10/21: COPE Conversion Program Progress Report: Teen Challenge in GA
3/30/22: A Reading on Columbus Girls Academy (Teen Challenge) by Kaci Cox, Guest Sermonizer

 

 Last Updated: March 1st, 2023

 

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