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===Connection with LDS Church=== ===Connection with LDS Church===
There is no official connection between ] (LDS Church) and the Utah Boys Ranch. However, the board of directors is composed of members of the LDS Church, including ], former general president of the ] ], ] religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician ], and Utah State Senator ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> ], a division of the Welfare Services of the LDS Church, has donated food and supplies to the school.<ref> West Ridge's Mormon Connection</ref> In 1996, the former ] of the church, ], mentioned that he had received a "bulletin" from the Utah Boys Ranch.<ref>Gordon B. Hinckley, '']'', Mar. 1997, p. 58].</ref> There is no official connection between ] (LDS Church) and the West Ridge Academy. However, the board of directors is composed of members of the LDS Church, including ], former general president of the ] ], ] religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician ], and Utah State Senator ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> ], a division of the Welfare Services of the LDS Church, has donated food and supplies to the school.<ref> West Ridge's Mormon Connection</ref> In 1996, the former ] of the church, ], mentioned that he had read a "bulletin" from the Utah Boys Ranch.<ref>Gordon B. Hinckley, '']'', Mar. 1997, p. 58].</ref>
] ]


Revision as of 23:52, 18 March 2009

Private school
West Ridge Academy
Location
West Jordan, Utah, USA
Information
School typeprivate
Religious affiliation(s)Mormon
DirectorKenneth Allen
Age range6 - 17
Websitehttp://www.utahboysranch.org/

West Ridge Academy, formerly called the Utah Boys Ranch, is a Residential Treatment Center for youth in West Jordan, Utah, USA.

History

The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by Lowell L. Bennion in 1964, but a few years later leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director and remained for fifteen years before retiring at age 62 in the face of IRS problems..

Connection with LDS Church

There is no official connection between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the West Ridge Academy. However, the board of directors is composed of members of the LDS Church, including Richard Eyre, former general president of the Relief Society Mary Ellen Smoot, Brigham Young University religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician LaVar Christensen, and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars. Deseret Industries, a division of the Welfare Services of the LDS Church, has donated food and supplies to the school. In 1996, the former president of the church, Gordon B. Hinckley, mentioned that he had read a "bulletin" from the Utah Boys Ranch.

Navigation sign at WRA

Allegations of abuse

Former residents have posted testimonials alleging rampant physical and sexual abuse, negligence, cover-ups, lack of government oversight, severe human rights violations, Mormon indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth. Some opponents have referred to it as a "Mormon gulag".

Protesters demonstrated at its annual fundraiser The Scarecrow Festival in 2008.

Media Coverage

On January 2, 2009, an article from a former Boys Ranch resident—writer and journalist Eric Norwood—was published detailing abuses and controversial ranch practices.The article drew the attention of thousands of readers as it was reprinted and discussed on blogs, message boards, and news websites. On January 9, 2009, Salt Lake City radio station KRCL invited Senator Buttars, West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood on their talk show RadioActive! to discuss the article, but Buttars declined. On February 19, 2009, author and political commentator Andrew Sullivan discussed the controversy surrounding Chris Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch.

References

  1. Testimonial of 8 year old resident
  2. - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
  3. UBR board of Trustees
  4. “The Mormon Connection”
  5. West Ridge's Mormon Connection
  6. Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Conversation with Single Adults,” Ensign, Mar. 1997, p. 58].
  7. Testimonials From Former Victims
  8. DailyKos 'Trapped In A Mormon Gulag'
  9. Boys Protest 'Mormon Gulag' Fundraiser
  10. Norwood, Eric (2009-01-02). "Trapped In A Mormon Gulag". Orato Media Corp. Retrieved 2009-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. Gena Edvalson Discusses Mormon Gulag
  12. KRCL RadioActive
  13. The Daily Dish

External links

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