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Center for troubled teens is under fire
Center for troubled teens is under fire
BY JACK KRESNAK FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER January 29, 2004 MARLETTE -- At Teen Ranch, the Ten Commandments are posted for resident juvenile delinquents to see. "Jesus is the reason for all seasons" is on the message board in the administration building. Dozens of Michigan's private, nonprofit agencies that work with troubled kids under contracts with the state are faith-based and offer spiritually enriching programs as a way to rebuild the lives of children who have gone astray. But Teen Ranch, which proclaims its Christian perspective, is the only such agency in trouble with the Michigan Family Independence Agency for allegedly forcing kids to participate in religious activities. "They're saying that because we have religious training -- which we've always had for 37 years -- that we are in violation of the separation of church and state," said Mick Koster, chief operating officer of Teen Ranch, based in Michigan's Thumb area. Koster said the claim is false. "We haven't changed," Koster said. "Now, all of a sudden, we're in violation of the First Amendment." On Nov. 6, the FIA slapped a moratorium on placing juvenile delinquents at Teen Ranch because, the FIA said, the organization forces kids to participate in religious activities. A group of conservative lawyers is set to defend Teen Ranch in court. In a Jan. 9 letter to Teen Ranch, the FIA said "seven youths reported being required to participate in religious services" and "three youths specifically stated that they would 'lose points' if they did not attend and participate in religious services." One girl told the FIA that she was required to attend a rehabilitation program called the River, which Teen Ranch describes as "a healing program designed to guide youths to discovering God's power in helping them overcome life's difficulties," according to a letter sent by Debora Buchanan, manager of the FIA's purchased care division. The River is a Christian program for teens who need help with relationships, Koster said. It is not exclusive to Teen Ranch. A Teen Ranch pamphlet states that "The River is a place where youth can: Deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ . . . Each youth will be expected to participate as a part of their treatment here at Teen Ranch." But no child is forced to participate in the River or any other religious activity, Koster said. "It's not effective to force them to participate," he said. Youths are placed at Teen Ranch or other such facilities after they have been convicted in juvenile court and committed to the care of the FIA. Teen Ranch has room for 72 boys and girls in a half-dozen homes at two campuses. It also licenses more than 40 foster homes for abused and neglected children. Koster said Christian values are a part of the program, but religious activities are not funded by the state, which pays Teen Ranch $129 per day, per child. The salary for a chaplain and costs for other faith-based counseling such as the River are paid through private donations, Koster said. In last week's State of the Union address, however, President George W. Bush called for increased public funding to faith-based institutions serving disadvantaged and poor people. Sunday services, youth meetings and special religious events are offered at Teen Ranch. In addition, Koster said, every child slated to enter Teen Ranch is asked to read and sign the policy statement that says Teen Ranch is an independent, nondenominational Christian facility whose mission is "providing hope to young people and families through life-changing relationships and experiences from a Christian perspective." The conservative Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based legal group that defends the rights of Christian institutions to spread the Gospel, is threatening to sue the FIA if it doesn't lift the moratorium by Friday. "We think we have good grounds to file a federal lawsuit," said Gary McCaleb, senior counsel for the ADF. In a strongly worded letter to the FIA on Jan 21, McCaleb said "Teen Ranch is suffering serious economic impact" due to the moratorium. "Meanwhile, FIA is deprived of one of its historically most effective providers . . . children who would benefit from the love, care and proven techniques of Teen Ranch are being denied what is perhaps their best chance for a productive, happy future." FIA spokeswoman Maureen Sorbet said Wednesday that the agency plans to meet with Teen Ranch soon. Wendy Wagenheim, a spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Detroit, said that judging by Teen Ranch's Web site, the agency appears to be using tax dollars for a "pervasively sectarian program." "When taxpayer dollars are being used to fund religion, that's where the issue crosses the line," she said. "When you're asking a child to sign an affirmation to Jesus Christ, I think it's fairly obvious that shouldn't be done." Officials at two other Christian-based juvenile rehabilitation centers -- Eagle Village in Hersey and Wedgewood Christian Services in Grand Rapids -- said they carefully separate FIA funds from private donations that pay for religious activities http://www.freep.com/news/childrenfi...9_20040129.htm Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
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