* A Caution for Blended Families Considering the WRAP 5 Acres Program * As a bonus-parent (stepparent) actively involved in a blended family, I enrolled in this parenting program with high hopes; through our health care provider. Unfortunately, my experience revealed a fundamental flaw... this program is not currently equipped to support blended or bonus-parent dynamics! From the beginning, I participated fully and respectfully, always with the full interest of our bonus kiddos in mind. That has and will nave change. However, following some sort of conflict unrelated to the program's content, I was quietly removed - without a single word of communication from the 5 Acres Team to me directly. The team chose instead to speak solely with the biological parent, who then relayed the message. No one from the team reached out to clarify, explain, or even acknowledge my participation, my role, or my removal. I was effectively erased due to another adult's discomfort, and the program allowed that to happen - without question. This wasn't just disappointing--it was revealing. This program appears to have a narrow framework that may work well for separated or divorced biological parents navigating co-parenting. But it lacks the sensitivity, nuance, and structure needed to support modern family systems like blended households. The consequences go far beyond the development of healthy co-parenting in support of the kiddos! It teaches the child that love, care, and effort from a bonus parent can be disregarded or erased based on someone else's feelings. That kind of inconsistency creates confusion, insecurity, and emotional distress for the child. They may internalize conflict that has nothing to do with them. They may feel pressure to "choose sides," or feel ashamed for loving more than one caregiver. It also teaches them that programs meant to support their well-being can be politicized by adult agendas. While I understand programs need boundaries, those boundaries should not default to exclusion when family dynamics are complex. And they should never allow one adult's opinion to unilaterally determine who is "allowed" to participate in a child's growth. This could be a tremendous area of opportunity--if the program chooses to evolve! Until then, I would strongly caution any stepparent or blended family considering enrollment. Unless and until the program reflects the realities of today's families, it may do more harm than good - especially to the children we are all trying to protect. read more

I'm shocked this place still exists!!! I was put there at a young age. The experience I had was abuse by staff. To the point cops were involved. If you're thinking of dropping your kids off there, think again!! 40 years later, I'll never forget what this place did to me... I don't want anyone to get hurt, but hope it burns down in the fires!! read more

This is the second time I am placing an opinion. I cannot remember how old I was when my sister and I were placed at BGAS..My sister was 4 years older than me and was put in a different cottage. I remember being in the little girl cottage and when older moved to the big girl cottage. My sister and I could only spend short spurts of time together and that would be on the grassy area where we were observed by house mothers. Again this facility at that time was not a treatment facility just a holding tank for kids. I see they have a swimming pool now. I think it was more fun when we were often bused to Indian Springs for swimming in the summer. Where the existing swimming pool is there use to be a push merry-go-round. We played endless lawn games and usually got hurt doing it. Yes, we had excursions to different places like Christmas Tree Lane and the Elks Club would hold Christmas programs and everyone would get a gift from them. I am sure we ate 3 meals a day..Occasionally we would be allowed a home for a day with a family member. When you got back from your day out you were usually in some kind of trouble for some reason or other. We did get to go to summer camp called Wassawagen or something like that, Wassy for short. At the end of the 5 acre complex was a hospital, don't know if that is still there. We all went to the local Presbyterian Church, maybe the Catholic kids went somewhere else, I really don't remember. I loved my church, then one day they decided the children would be what ever their parent-parents were. Christian Science didn't go over very well with me. I Never got to go back to the Presbyterian Church. My sister was fostered by the social worker that had placed us their but I wasn't included. I would really like to hear from anyone that was residing at BGAS around the late 40's I do see my name there on the 1950 census. I probably left around that time or shortly after. I do wish I could give a raving review but in reality I was miserable there. They never taught us anything only crafts. No help with school subjects, we really were on our own to develop the bet we could. I will watch this web site for any connections. read more

I was placed in Five Acres in 1959 at the age of 10. I was placed because my only parent suffered chronic mental illness. It was a sad condition and it was not east being separated from my mother and brother. All of the staff at Five Acres were wonderful, especially the house mothers. Theirs was not an easy job. Five Acres was a wonderful place to be for five years. They did a REMARKABLE job for us kids. There was no abuse of any sort and now as a man of 75, I smile with gratitude for those five years at Five Acres. They were the most stable years of my childhood. I have visited several times in the last decades and I take my friends because I am proud f having lived at such a great place and with the great people that worked with and for us. I love them all, to this day! read more

This review is solely for the mentoring program that they offer for volunteers. I scheduled an intro meeting with the volunteer coordinator, Sue Lee early Friday morning. My first impression of 5 acres was wow this place is huge and so new looking. Sue informed me that they have a very awesome team that keeps the place up and looking fabulous. While she was giving me a tour, I noticed a nice swimming pool and basketball courts and pretty much everything a child could want in the living environment. It does seem like a good environment for kids in need. But of course the volunteers make a huge impact on these kids life as well. So if you can spare a couple of days a month and you have a passion for kids and their well being, I encourage you to come and at least talk to them about the programs they have to see if it's a good fit for you. After my meet with Sue, I know for sure this is definitely a program I would love to help out with so I'm going to fill out all their forms and I will update my review once I start the program! read more

Five Acres - Volunteer programs with The volunteer coordinator's contact info - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Altadena, California

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it's funny how i was speaking to my child's father in Altadena about the fires and it made me think about the group home I was in , That place treated me so terrible .Its one of the worst group homes I've been to matter of fact it was the worst from the abuse from the staff how they treat the foster kids ! They had a box in there office where the used to put the kids that wasn't "acting right" for hours they locked me in a box for 5+ hours with blood and bowl movemoment all over the walls I begged them to let me out which they didn't do for hours . i ran away after that I climbed over bob wires cut myself up just to leave from there I walked for hours with no shoes on since they took them from me , I was willing to do anything to get away I still think about it even though it happened 8yrs ago DCFS SCREWED ME AND MORE read more

From 1961 to 1963, I resided at Five Acres.Even though I would have preferred to be home with my mother and other siblings; but I have to admit that I truly enjoyed myself while there; they always made sure that we had everything we needed, and would take us on excursions to places we probably never would have been able to go. I live in Nevada, now, and would love to go there to visit and see how much it has changed since I was there....I was blessed to have experienced such a wonderful place....Thank You Five Acres! read more

This is an incredible, fantastic service You will be so pleased that you took advantage of this opportunity The service is second to none and the best anywhere read more

Like the others, I have waited a long time before writing this review because I am still reeling from the neglect and abuse my child received. Sadly, this review is the only thing I have left to fight with. My daughter was put into Five Acres Residential Treatment Center for a suicide attempt. I expected that she would get therapeutic treatment so that she could heal from the trauma she has suffered over her short life, instead, most of her belongings were stolen or destroyed. She had headphones, an MP3 player, Squishamals, slime...nothing of value, and yet ALL of it was either stolen or ruined. On the day she was discharged they had replaced only ONE item. When her nice clothes went missing and I was washing someone's dirty hand-me-downs, I was told she traded her clothes, but I seriously doubted she'd trade a precious family keepsake (meant to give her comfort) for a stained polka dot dress two sizes too big and other items that were dirty and worthless. Clients pee'd in her room and her complaints were dismissed, she wrote formal complaints that got "lost" she was blamed for her actions, but none of the actions of others were ever taken into account. The staff ate her food (special treats given just to her) they lied to her, belittled her, and made her feel worthless. Worst of all their neglect allowed her to be molested by male clients when they weren't watching. We had a formal meeting to address our concerns, there was a police investigation and still, she was blamed, gaslighted, and shamed. She had a good therapist and a few good caregivers all who quit the week she came home. My daughter needed therapeutic care and now has to compound the trauma that she suffered at Five Acres with all the other trauma she has experienced. She is in a worse place than she was when she went in only now she knows a lot more about gangs, sex acts, and ways to commit crimes than she did when she was placed. If you don't want to believe me, you can always see the citations, complaints, and allegations they get monthly. Caregivers ripped out her hair while trying to style it because she has trauma around her hair and they disparaged her adoptive family while doing it. ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefaci... I placed my daughter voluntarily in a facility where I was told she would be getting therapeutic care for a suicide attempt, instead, she was neglected, abused, and came home with more behaviors, more issues, and more trauma than she had when she went in. This place needs to be seriously overhauled and monitored. Some of the staff and administrators are good, but most are overworked, underpaid, and undertrained employees who have a high turnover rate. They treat the children like crap because most have severe behavior needs and are in DCFS custody without parents like me to advocate for them. What better victim than a voiceless one.... read more

Five Acres is a non-public school that caters to children with several diagnoses for example ED, ADHD, MR and Autism. My son has been at this school for 5 years. The staff at this school has been a saving grace for my son. The staff cares about each and every child. Their program is about helping children learn the tools to make the right decisions in life both academically and socially. Unfortunately the school only goes up to 10th grade and this is my son's last year there. The people at Five Acres have taught my son how to socialize appropriately, how to problem solve and they always encourage him academically. This school, by far, has one of the best teams any child could ever have to help them develop into responsible and able young adults. read more

My daughter HG is currently staying at the residential treatment center part of five acres and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in the care (or lack thereof) she is receiving. She has been there for a little more than 30 days and I have had to constantly ask the staff to give her healthy food options, not just candy and soda; she has been taken on numerous outings that were not authorized (they didn't even ask my permission) when she's at risk for eloping (aka running away); I had to ask again and again for them to give her coping skills (she finally now has ONE that may or may not work), and the staff do not communicate with each other, nor do they actually supervise the kids. Not to mention I was told over the phone that she broke her ankle when another child kicked her there and was being rushed to ER because a bone was protruding from her ankle, only to get there and see that she was perfectly fine- she walked over to me and hugged me. I was absolutely fuming after paying $200 for an unnecessary ER visit- as a single mother I do not have money to waste. What kind of nurse (at five acres) is unable to tell if a bone is actually protruding from an ankle?! Years ago my kids received therapy at five acres and did quite well, I was very happy with their then-psychiatrist, Dr. K. Evidently he gave five acres their good name because now that he's gone, it's completely out of control. They need to change their policies and procedures soon or I will seek treatment for her elsewhere, and I strongly recommend that you do not send your child here. read more