Facility profile Costa Rica

Pillars of Hope

Also known as Academy at Dundee Ranch (2000-2003)

Closed Centro America, Costa Rica

Pillars of Hope was a residential school in Centro America, Costa Rica, operated by World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS). It operated from 2004 to 2012.

About Pillars of Hope

It believed to have been remarketed as Seneca Ranch/Boarding School.source Re-opened as Pillars of Hope on the Dundee Ranch campus.source It was a rebrand of the Academy at Dundee Ranch.source It was run by WWASP.source

It was located in Orotina, Alajuela, Costa Rica, former Academy at Dundee Ranch campus.source It cost around $3,000 per month.source It was described as a residential school.source

It was accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (claimed).source

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

2002200320042007201220022012

  1. 2002

    1. IncidentAugust 2002

      Sexual abuse

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. In August 2002 two employees were reportedly fired after a male staffer allegedly raped and assaulted a female staff member, who was treated for a brain...

      Sexual abuse August 2002

      In August 2002 two employees were reportedly fired after a male staffer allegedly raped and assaulted a female staff member, who was treated for a brain hemorrhage; the director said no charges were filed.

      source

  2. 2003

    1. Incident

      Criminal charge

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. Three other Jamaican employees were wanted in connection with the abuse case but fled Costa Rica after the closure.

      Criminal charge

      source

    2. Incident

      Arrest

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. Narvin Lichfield was arrested following the 2003 closure of Dundee Ranch by Costa Rican authorities.

      Arrest

      source

    3. IncidentJanuary 2003

      Lawsuit

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. In January 2003 a Louisiana judge ruled two boys pulled out by their mother would not be ordered back to Dundee Ranch; the case drew the attention of Costa...

      Lawsuit January 2003

      In January 2003 a Louisiana judge ruled two boys pulled out by their mother would not be ordered back to Dundee Ranch; the case drew the attention of Costa Rica's child welfare minister, who opened an investigation.

      source

    4. IncidentMay 2003

      Abuse

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. A 17-year-old boy said a teacher beat him with a stick after he refused to sign a statement saying he was well treated.

      Abuse May 2003

      source

    5. IncidentMay 2003

      Closure order

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. In May 2003 Costa Rican authorities raided and shut down the Academy at Dundee Ranch after an investigation into reports of physical and emotional abuse.

      Closure order May 2003

      source

    6. IncidentMay 2003

      Restraint

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. A 14-year-old girl who fled after the raid reported staff beat and physically restrained children who tried to leave.

      Restraint May 2003

      source

    7. IncidentMay 2003

      Investigation

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. Costa Rican authorities alleged abuse, isolation and restraints, an inadequate plant, untrained personnel, 100 of 193 children with expired tourist visas, and overcrowding.

      Investigation May 2003

      source

    8. IncidentMay 2003

      Runaway

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. After the raid, children reported that between 30 and 50 students revolted and some fled on foot.

      Runaway May 2003

      source

    9. In the newsMay 25, 2003

      Provo Canyon School Closure

      2 articles in The Salt Lake Tribune and Los Angeles Times.

      Provo Canyon School Closure May 25, 2003

      Following the arrest of director Narvin Lichfield and an exodus of students prompted by Costa Rican officials, the Academy at Dundee Ranch faced closure. The facility was part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools network, which faced various allegations including false imprisonment...

  3. 2004

    1. New name

      Renamed Pillars of Hope

      It had been Academy at Dundee Ranch.

    2. Opened

      Opened in Centro America, Costa Rica

    3. Incident

      Closure order

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. Closed by Costa Rica authorities in 2004 amid abuse allegations; WWASP-associated.

      Closure order

      source

  4. 2007

    1. IncidentFebruary 2007

      Criminal charge

      As Academy at Dundee Ranch. Narvin Lichfield was detained on charges of child abuse and false imprisonment and found innocent of torture, deprivation of liberty and coercion in February...

      Criminal charge February 2007

      Narvin Lichfield was detained on charges of child abuse and false imprisonment and found innocent of torture, deprivation of liberty and coercion in February 2007; the judge said abuse had occurred but there was insufficient evidence he ordered it.

      source

  5. 2012

    1. Closed

      Closed

As Academy at Dundee Ranch

2000 to 2004 | WWASPS

The record kept under this name

Incidents on record

  1. August 2002 Sexual abuse

    In August 2002 two employees were reportedly fired after a male staffer allegedly raped and assaulted a female staff member, who was treated for a brain hemorrhage; the director said no charges were filed.source

  2. 2003 Criminal charge

    Three other Jamaican employees were wanted in connection with the abuse case but fled Costa Rica after the closure.source

  3. 2003 Arrest

    Narvin Lichfield was arrested following the 2003 closure of Dundee Ranch by Costa Rican authorities.source

  4. January 2003 Lawsuit

    In January 2003 a Louisiana judge ruled two boys pulled out by their mother would not be ordered back to Dundee Ranch; the case drew the attention of Costa Rica's child welfare minister, who opened an investigation.source

  5. May 2003 Abuse

    A 17-year-old boy said a teacher beat him with a stick after he refused to sign a statement saying he was well treated.source

  6. May 2003 Closure order

    In May 2003 Costa Rican authorities raided and shut down the Academy at Dundee Ranch after an investigation into reports of physical and emotional abuse.source

  7. May 2003 Restraint

    A 14-year-old girl who fled after the raid reported staff beat and physically restrained children who tried to leave.source

  8. May 2003 Investigation

    Costa Rican authorities alleged abuse, isolation and restraints, an inadequate plant, untrained personnel, 100 of 193 children with expired tourist visas, and overcrowding.source

  9. May 2003 Runaway

    After the raid, children reported that between 30 and 50 students revolted and some fled on foot.source

  10. 2004 Closure order

    Closed by Costa Rica authorities in 2004 amid abuse allegations; WWASP-associated.source

  11. February 2007 Criminal charge

    Narvin Lichfield was detained on charges of child abuse and false imprisonment and found innocent of torture, deprivation of liberty and coercion in February 2007; the judge said abuse had occurred but there was insufficient evidence he ordered it.source

  12. Abuse

    A survivor testimony says an operations staff member, Mr. Bailey, grabbed a girl by the hair and slammed her into a cement wall during the riot.source

  13. Abuse

    Survivors report being deprived of food and sleep, restrained, beaten and placed in solitary confinement, with punishment called Observation Placement.source

  14. Abuse

    Students who habitually broke rules were held in the High Impact walled compound until they walked 100 miles around a gravel track.source

News coverage

  • The Tico Times Apr 1, 2011 Closure

    Unlicensed Teen Mentor Program Closed by Costa Rican Authorities Amid Mistreatment Allegations

    Costa Rican child welfare officials closed the Teen Mentor behavioral modification program, operated by the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), following reports of physical, psychological, and verbal mistreatment. Regulators and parents noted that the facility operated without proper licensing, prompting emergency repatriations of participating teenagers while former staff defended the program's methods.

  • Reason Jun 27, 2007 Expose

    Mitt Romney's Campaign Connections to Abusive Adolescent Treatment Programs

    The article examines the connections between presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign fundraisers and residential treatment programs facing widespread allegations of abuse. Founders Robert Lichfield of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and Mel Sembler of Straight Inc. faced numerous lawsuits and investigations regarding allegations of physical restraint, food and sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.

  • Los Angeles Times Jul 13, 2003 Corporate

    Key to His Schools’ Success? It’s God, Founder Says

    This 2003 article examines Robert Browning Lichfield and his involvement in the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) network. It details allegations of severe disciplinary practices, regulatory investigations, and lawsuits while highlighting Lichfield's financial and political influence.

  • The Salt Lake Tribune May 25, 2003 Corporate

    Overview of World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools Amid Costa Rica Facility Closure archived copy

    Following the arrest of director Narvin Lichfield and an exodus of students prompted by Costa Rican officials, the Academy at Dundee Ranch faced closure. The facility was part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools network, which faced various allegations including false imprisonment, misrepresentation, and physical restraint.

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

  • Hughton Bailey

    Former Operations Supervisor (2002, r/troubledteens wiki)source

As Pillars of Hope

2004 to 2012

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Names

Documents

Documents on file (11)
Merged from: Academy at Dundee Ranch (3)

From the Unsilenced archive

135 documents about Pillars of Hope that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Academy at Dundee Ranch - Pillars of Hope.

Documents (127)
News (5)
Program Documents (3)

From SCIAD NET

1 document about Pillars of Hope that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps it on Google Drive, where it opens.

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction