| Revision as of 03:00, 19 March 2009 view sourceGood Olfactory (talk | contribs)688,950 editsm Changed protection level for "West Ridge Academy": change to full protection to give parties a chance to discuss--rolled back to last version by anon editor ( (expires 03:00, 26 March 2009 (UTC)) (expires 03:00, 26 March 2009← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:33, 19 March 2009 view source Good Olfactory (talk | contribs)688,950 edits per talk page; restoring R. fiend's version (anon editor was banned user all this time)Next edit → | ||
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| | district = | | district = | ||
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| denomination = | ||
| | denomination = officially non-denominational Christian | |||
| | affiliation = | | affiliation = | ||
| | trustee = | | trustee = | ||
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| | endowment = | | endowment = | ||
| | grades = | | grades = | ||
| | age range = |
| age range = 9 - 17<ref>http://www.utahboysranch.org/Admissions/Admissions.html</ref> | ||
| | classrooms = | | classrooms = | ||
| | campus = | | campus = | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| '''West Ridge Academy''', formerly called the '''Utah Boys Ranch''', is a ] for |
'''West Ridge Academy''', formerly called the '''Utah Boys Ranch''', is a ] for at-risk young adults in ], ]. | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by ] in 1964, but a few years later leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator ] became the executive director and remained for fifteen years before retiring |
The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by ] in 1964, but a few years later leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator ] became the executive director and remained for fifteen years before retiring in the face of ] problems.<ref>http://www.isaccorp.org/documents/utah-boys-ranch.09.27.04.html</ref> The stated purpose of the camp is to provide clinical services and education through theistic practices, emphasizing personal accountability. Since their founding, they claim to have helped over 25,000 teens.<ref>http://www.utahboysranch.org/</ref> | ||
| The board of directors is composed of prominent ] such as LDS author and politician ], General ] President ], ] religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician ] and Senator ].<ref></ref> ] donates food and supplies.{{fact|date=February 2009}} | |||
| ===Connection with LDS Church=== | |||
| The West Ridge Academy declares itself to be a non-denominational Christian organization, but former residents claim ] influences dominate.<ref></ref> The Academy states that "we do not proselyte ''(sic)'' to our students", but they do encourage students "to bring the best from their beliefs about God and seek out a meaningful relationship with that God".<ref>.</ref> | |||
| The board of directors of West Ridge Academy 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> ], a division of the Welfare Services of the LDS Church, has donated food and supplies to the school.{{cn}} 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> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ==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, ] indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth.<ref></ref> Some opponents have referred to it as a "Mormon ]".<ref></ref> | |||
| Protesters demonstrated at its annual fundraiser The Scarecrow Festival in 2008.<ref></ref><ref></ref> | |||
| ==Media coverage== | ==Media coverage== | ||
| On January 2, 2009, journalist Eric Norwood, a former Boys Ranch resident, published an article detailing abuses and controversial ranch practices.<ref>{{cite news | last = Norwood | first = Eric | coauthors = | title = Trapped In A Mormon Gulag | publisher = Orato Media Corp. | date = ] | url = http://web.mac.com/goodk/www.MormonGulag.com/Legal_Issues_and_Bad_Press_West_Ridge_Academy_Mormon_Gulag_Utah_Boys_Ranch/Entries/2009/1/2_.html | accessdate = 2009-02-19 }}</ref> On January 9, 2009, ] radio station ] invited Senator Buttars, West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood on their talk show ''RadioActive!'' to discuss the article, but Buttars declined.<ref></ref> | |||
| On January 2, 2009, an article was published on the internet by a former Boys Ranch resident, writer and journalist Eric Norwood, which detailed abuses and controversial ranch practices.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| | last = Norwood | |||
| | first = Eric | |||
| | coauthors = | |||
| | title = Trapped In A Mormon Gulag | |||
| | publisher = Orato Media Corp. | |||
| | date = ] | |||
| | url = http://web.mac.com/goodk/www.MormonGulag.com/Legal_Issues_and_Bad_Press_West_Ridge_Academy_Mormon_Gulag_Utah_Boys_Ranch/Entries/2009/1/2_.html | |||
| | accessdate = 2009-02-19 }}</ref> On January 9, 2009, ] radio station KRCL invited Senator Buttars, West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood on their talk show ''RadioActive!'' to discuss the article, but Buttars declined.<ref></ref> On February 19, 2009, author and political commentator ] wrote about the controversy surrounding Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch.<ref></ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ] | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
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| ⚫ | ] | ||
Revision as of 03:33, 19 March 2009
Private school| West Ridge Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| Information | |
| School type | private |
| Director | Kenneth Allen |
| Age range | 9 - 17 |
| Website | http://www.utahboysranch.org/ |
West Ridge Academy, formerly called the Utah Boys Ranch, is a residential treatment center for at-risk young adults 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 in the face of IRS problems. The stated purpose of the camp is to provide clinical services and education through theistic practices, emphasizing personal accountability. Since their founding, they claim to have helped over 25,000 teens.
The board of directors is composed of prominent Mormons such as LDS author and politician Richard Eyre, General Relief Society President Mary Ellen Smoot, BYU religion instructor Sally Wyne, politician LaVar Christensen and Senator Chris Buttars. Deseret Industries donates food and supplies.
Media coverage
On January 2, 2009, journalist Eric Norwood, a former Boys Ranch resident, published an article detailing abuses and controversial ranch practices. 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.
References
- http://www.utahboysranch.org/Admissions/Admissions.html
- http://www.isaccorp.org/documents/utah-boys-ranch.09.27.04.html
- http://www.utahboysranch.org/
- UBR board of Trustees
- 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) - KRCL RadioActive