09/04/2013  

74. Excelsior Youth Center

Escapes, suicides and employees taking personal items belonging to the teenagers who are forced to live at this treatment center is just something which are known to these two places located in Washington and Colorado.

On Myspace there was stories of suicides. A parent writes:

If you honestly want to send your daughter somewhere DO NOT SEND THEM HERE. Absolutely rude staff. They stole my daughters earrings and three of her books, one tried to pocket her iPod Touch but I came in to their office and needless to say she got it back immediately after. The therapists make the girls feel like less than dirt, and junk them up on medications not even fit for an issue they have. They tried to get my daughter on an antipsychotic and other meds for a slight depression. The teachers in the school are rude and make the girls feel worse than the therapists do. Absolute crap.

It does not sound a fun place to be as a teenager.

Update 2017

The management informed the medias that they will shot the treatment center down: Iconic Excelsior youth center shutting after decades in Aurora and roots that go back a century

Sources:

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34 responses to “74. Excelsior Youth Center”

  1. Rhetta says :

    I lived there when I was younger for maybe 2 or 3 years, not sure how long exactly it hard to keep track of time when you’re in a Cell 20-24 hours a day for extended periods of time. I was at the one in Colorado after I lived at AFIC. I had been sent there for minor self harm after numerous attempts to get help for the abuse that was going on in my home. When I got there they told me I was delusional and then it was all in my head, labeled me a liar, bipolar, put me on lithium and numerous other medications to zimbify me. I left 200 pounds heavier due to the medications they forced me to take. And I got to go back to my abuser until I was kicked out when I was 16 and homeless until I was 20. That place played a big part in ruining my life and my family. But I’m still alive I didn’t let it make me a victim forever. I graduated high school even though I had to move around 15 times or more in total just to be able to stay in school. While I was there I was physically abused, isolated, humiliated. When they took art my heart away from me, ( drawing and painting being my only outlet) I had tried to commit suicide. I think at that point it has been about a year and 6 months of me being alone and mistreated there. After my attempt they put me in a cell until I agreed to apologize for what I had done. Later when I got out my mother was diagnosed with Munchausen by proxy. Ironic, I had tried to tell them in treatment that my mother and father were sometimes extreamly violent and scary. I had reported that my mother was taking apart pills and sprinkling the powder on my food at home, I’d seen her do it. But again I was just called crazy and told that I was making things up. Thanks for the help EYC!!! I got to put up with abuse until it drove me to homelessness. But hey! at least I’m one of the lucky ones that got out of there without resorting to jail, prostitution, meth, heroin, or dying like you told everyone I was gonna. Clean as a goddamn whistle thank you very much. Oh and I’m an artist! People love my art EYC told me was bad when they took my only positive escape away and it pays my bills$.

    Reply
    • Rhetta says :

      Oh and when my mom was sick and I was in isolation they always make sure to stop in and let me know how I was murdering my mother every time she had a heart attack or something. That’s why I continue to try to kill myself when I was there. They told me I was killing her. I didn’t want to be a burden anymore.

      Reply
  2. jess says :

    I was there from 1986-1989 my good friend June Pena Hung herself in her cottage she was 14 years old. It was horrible. I would be interested in speaking to ANYONE who has lived there. How “SUCCESSFUL” were/are you. Alive yes but happy healthy well adjusted? Me I battled Drug addiction and depression most of my adult life.

    Reply
  3. K Hollywood says :

    OMG I can’t believe what I just read I was there in 1988 and this bitch staff took my earrings and had the nerve to wear them when I confronted her I got 24 hour lock up I still have nightmares I’m there and I’m 42 now, My mom also sent me a $200.00 giant See’s candy basket (a lot of money in 88 and we were poor) but she always did everything she could for me. Anyway I know how my mom picks certain candies I go to the office and my basket was completely rummaged through I looked in the trash and there were all the wrappers and they ALL WERE EATING AS I WALKED UP AND DIDN’T CARE AT THAT MOMENT MY MOM CALLED AND I TOLD HER AND I WAS GIVEN WRITING ASSIGNMENTS FOR A WEEK AND LEFT ON CAMPUS IN LOCK UP AGAIN 24 HOURS FOR TELLING MY MOM. I’D LOVE TO SEE THOSE BITCHES TODAY OLD HAGS NO DOUBT! Anyway same thing at Christmas I told my mom stop sending me stuff. They also took away my make up and I looked terrible cause all the other girls had theirs they took mine because they said i was conceded and that it wasn’t Facts of Life and I wasn’t Blair Warner!!! LOOKING back now I’m pissed I forgot about all this par of that place they cut me down and made me insecure all my friends at home noticed when i got back 3 years later after running away. I lived off campus cause I was from Hollywood Calif AND FOUND MY WAY HOME AND NEVER WENT BACK !! My mom finally heard everything and told them off!
    Also in 1988 in Genesis cottage my friend June Pena hung herself and died we were at the table I was there because I had to work pulling weeds it was a new job they made for me because like I said they said I was conceded and that was going to make me normal or whatever the case and btw no one thought it was funny not even people who didn’t like me they would walk up to me and say “that’s messed up” and I didn’t go back off campus till 6 o’clock so I went there to Genesis cottage until they would pick me up I was housed off campus at a house called Columbine so I was there a lot in the summer with the other girls. Well anyway I saw her walk in the laundry room I thought nothing of it she looked like most people just getting laundry everything was fine nothing outta the ordinary.Then her sister noticed she was down there a long time about half hour or so and we were making those fold questions teenagers make that asked weird questions but ours were colored and decorated since all we had was time so we were there like I said at least half hour and staff did zero checks like they should every half hour but they didn’t . Well her sister said I’ll be back and went down those stairs and she just started screaming and I mean horrific screams where you know it’s a f*cked up situation so we all ran down there and it was the most horrible thing ever I never will forget that look on her face her arms were bent in at the wrist she urinated and it was dripping down as she was swaying and it was making that eerie creaking sound OMG I can’t write anymore I mean like a bad movie and worse she had tears in her eyes it’s heartbreaking to even write this I never told anyone not even my mom…
    I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT I SAW AND STILL DO IN FULL DETAIL HER POOR SISTER IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE ALL THE WAY AROUND!!

    Reply
  4. K Hollywood says :

    OMG I can’t believe what I just read I was there in 1988 and this bitch staff took my earrings and had the nerve to wear them when I confronted her I got 24 hour lock up I still have nightmares I’m there and I’m 42 now, My mom also sent me a $200.00 giant See’s candy basket (a lot of money in 88 and we were poor) but she always did everything she could for me. Anyway I know how my mom picks certain candies I go to the office and my basket was completely rummaged through I looked in the trash and there were all the wrappers and they ALL WERE EATING AS I WALKED UP AND DIDN’T CARE AT THAT MOMENT MY MOM CALLED AND I TOLD HER AND I WAS GIVEN WRITING ASSIGNMENTS FOR A WEEK AND LEFT ON CAMPUS IN LOCK UP AGAIN 24 HOURS FOR TELLING MY MOM. I’D LOVE TO SEE THOSE BITCHES TODAY OLD HAGS NO DOUBT! Anyway same thing at Christmas I told my mom stop sending me stuff. They also took away my make up and I looked terrible cause all the other girls had theirs they took mine because they said i was conceded and that it wasn’t Facts of Life and I wasn’t Blair Warner!!! LOOKING back now I’m pissed I forgot about all this par of that place they cut me down and made me insecure all my friends at home noticed when i got back 3 years later after running away. I lived off campus cause I was from Hollywood Calif AND FOUND MY WAY HOME AND NEVER WENT BACK !! My mom finally heard everything and told them off!
    Also in 1988 in Genesis cottage my friend Michelle Pacheco hung herself and died we were at the table I was there because I had to work pulling weeds it was a new job they made for me because like I said they said I was conceded and that was going to make me normal or whatever the case and btw no one thought it was funny not even people who didn’t like me they would walk up to me and say “that’s messed up” and I didn’t go back off campus till 6 o’clock so I went there to Genesis cottage until they would pick me up I was housed off campus at a house called Columbine so I was there a lot in the summer with the other girls. Well anyway I saw her walk in the laundry room I thought nothing of it she looked like most people just getting laundry everything was fine nothing outta the ordinary.Then her sister noticed she was down there a long time about half hour or so and we were making those fold questions teenagers make that asked weird questions but ours were colored and decorated since all we had was time. Well her sister said I’ll be back and went down those stairs and she just started screaming and I mean horrific screams where you know it’s a f*cked up situation so we all ran down there and it was the most horrible thing ever I never will forget that look on her face her arms were bent in at the wrist she urinated and it was dripping down as she was swaying like a bad movie and she had tears in her eyes it’s heartbreaking to even write this I never told anyone not even my mom.
    I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT I SAW AND STILL DO IN FULL DETAIL HER POOR SISTER IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE ALL THE WAY AROUND!!

    Reply
    • Prime Puma says :

      Well I tried to change her name but apparently let it out on my 1st comment … see this is another effect this place left me with absent mindedness I didn’t want to put her real name in case her family came across this

      Reply
  5. jessica says :

    OMG you know carrie died too.

    Reply
    • Prime Puma says :

      WTF her sister? Hey Facebook me I had no idea you even responded I ended up here by accident I have a few people from here on Facebook you might remember my FB is Kalani Puma G Herth … I’ll tell you my real name there.

      Reply
      • jessica says :

        I responded to your FB message you never answered. Do you remember me? Anyway if u get this call me text me whatever. 7197613852.

      • laura smith says :

        What is your real name i was there in 88

    • Prime Puma says :

      Oh Jessica it’s me K Hollywood this is another account I just noticed I was logged into lol

      Reply
  6. Ashley m says :

    I as well was put in this place when I was 12 and up I am now 23 as I was staying there they didn’t allow visits or Christmas my ex foster mother wanted to take me out she asked the staff there and they did no it’s like a jail sale they put u in and I was in there for far less disturbing reasons but got to say the staff were shit I got bullied and a girl there spit on my window and attacked me 5 minutes after the staff pulled her off of me

    Reply
  7. Laura Smith says :

    my name is laura smith i was in excelsior youth center in aurora colorado back in 1985 i was there for about 4 years and i have to say that they were not like that they were strict yes but they were not cruel they would tackle you to the ground and restrain you true if you were out of control but that’s because you were out of control they had to do something so you wouldn’t hurt yourself or others im not saying i agree with everything they did (I was in the Renaissance Cottage)i remember going on a couple of home passed when i was still on ss and only on level one i did not complete the program but i will say this after atacking my treatment cordnaider bo howes and having about 15 staff members on me trying to get me to calm down and get me off from her i remember there was only one staff memberKelly Davis from the Shenandoah Cottage who could calmed down enough and walk to the talc unit peacefully i did my 24 hour time out answered my questions and than went to the TCL unit for about 3 months and then went a less structure environment to a group home in kremling colorado I am 44 years old now eyc helped me with my anger in a big way with and after that incident with bo howes they did help me get my shit together and did try to help my mom brother and i work things out i now have two beautiful daughter’s 22 and 24 and my 24 yr old has blessed me with 3grandbabies and one on the way and my youngest just gradguated from college thank you eyc staff members Carol Jan Francisco and bo howesfor all you did for me in Aurora colorado and as for your drug use you should blame yourself first because that is the life you choose for yourself not excslior they are not at fault you can change your life girl trust me just have alittle more faith in yourself and God I’m not saying any of this to be mean in any kind of way just being honest kido ; )

    Reply
    • Laura Smith says :

      oh and by the way you were not in a cell you were placard in cottages depending on why you were put in eyc in the first place depended on what cottage you got put in i was put in Renaissance cottage because it is or was for high rick like running away ones with suicidal international and serious anger issues i was a runner and a very angry person and in each cottage you either had your own room or you shared with one or two other girls… now I can see in the tlc(also known the treament learning center) part where you went for time outs and the other side which was the girls who was not qite ready for being in a cottage yes i can see how you say it was a cell but if you would have worked alittle more with first of all your self and then with the program staff and your peers than maybe you could have been in one of the cottages and in more like a room

      Reply
      • Julianne Mcvicker says :

        Does anyone remember the TV show we were all on. ? I was there from 87 -89 I was in shaloam I think .

    • Jessica Blair says :

      Hi Laura i remember you!! (Denise in the hallway “reefer whats reefer”) if this is who i think it is you will remember well. Any way yes you have made points and everyone is of course entitled to their opinion. This is just an interesting forum where everyone can express their opinions. Well i hope all is well. Your father drove a coors truck yes? I’m happy your content with all your choices. I agree people do make their own choices. Me personally i was just trying to convey i had seen some very very sad incidents in my time there. Speaking of suicide the one my friend did June pena well she was in a cottage. I’ve made some cjoices that were detrimental to me and my family i recognize they are my choices. But still having contact or renewing contact with other “group home kids). Not one I’ve personally talked to said holy moley my life was so incredible since i was there. And thats my opinion based on my experience. Congrats on beautiful healthy family. If iyour who I’m thinking you and I were cool like pretty damn cool you were annoying lil sister i never had. Best wishes on happy healthy new year

      Reply
  8. Harmony Johnson says :

    Was there early to mid 2000’s 2 girls in our cottage killed themselves just 2 weeks apart in renaissance cottage, was moved to Shalom after that. I have perminate shoulder injuries from I.U. staff being rough in the holding area. RIP Amanda and Chula.

    Reply
    • Raniqua says :

      Hi. My name is Raniqua. I am the one that found Amanda. Do you know Chula last name?

      Reply
  9. Rotsne says :

    If someone can find the obituaries or articles mentioning the tragic events mentioned in the comment above, we would be happy to receive such as these two girls clearly deserves a memorial on:

    http://today-a-child-died.blogspot.com/

    which a memorial blog about all those teenagers who lost their lives in residential programs.

    Reply
  10. TQ says :

    I went here after 2010. I was a run risk and lived permanently in the TLC unit because of it. 12 hours in a cell, cinder block walls, no window, no mat. Food portions were smaller then jail. I’m not sure if this is why they were shut down but Excelsior had the FBI investigating the staff for sexual abuse around 2012. Certain staff members were aiding pimps on the outside with human trafficking. Multiple girls who had ran away at different times not together from this facility were coincidently found with the same pimp on the outside after they had ran away

    Reply
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  13. Anonymous says :

    Dam I was here at 12 quite frankly for it to be the first group home/ residential facility I ever was in . It completely fucked my life up my mom ment well she just wanted to help me an believed the fucked up system I was about 12 I was in shenendoah cottage < (spelled) wrong but you get what I am saying but it didn’t last long I was put in TLC and stayed there till I was sent back to California but my time there wasn’t good I was restrained slammed into tile floor bloody noses bruised hospitalized multiple times wasn’t communicating with my family then a long road of issues and facilities after I left I was put in the California state hospital at I am 33 now the amount of trauma I felt with from there and California facilities is ridiculous I was abused sex trafficked I was on drugs the last few years I was able to finally sober and leave a life I had for YEARS but it started with the system I will never understand how people can treat kids the way they do

    Reply

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