I was sent there in 1961, yeah I know I am old. I was one of Father Benedict's Joseph (BJ) first choir members during the inaugural year of the chapel. I was in Lenox cottage then we all moved to McAlister one of the newest cottages back in the day. We Had Football and played games against outside school teams. Baseball and softball, boxing, basketball, and swimming. We built an Indian village. Took a few trips with father Benedict to the city. Yes,we had to fight sometimes to protect ourselves but honestly we all tried to hide them from the cottage parents. The education was good at the main building and the trade shops too. I remember the shoe shop where Mr. De Martino showed us how to fix a lot of the other kid's shoes. Many years later while visiting, BJ asked if I could address the children and tell them my CV story and how I used that to better my life. I am married to a wonderful woman with 3 boys and One daughter who collectively they blessed me with 13 grandkids. I live in the Midwest and after I retired got into giving back to my community. I chair an Hispanic Leaders Group and was appointed by the Missouri Governor as one of his Human Rights Commissioners for the state. I share this not to boast, but to motivate all CV alumni to see the possibilities of the good life they can have FROM LESSONS LEARNED. Remember God does not make junk. He has love enough for us all, we just have to accept it for ourselves.

Amongst many of the other managers and supervisors, Mr. H has to be one of the most unprofessional “managers” in this facility. Besides the terrible grammar he uses, he is incredibly disorganized, unjust, and does not display appropriate behavior that models the mission of children’s village. Additionally, the way employees are treated here is beyond corrupt. The work is hard and the laborers are few, which means each employee (especially those with the high-risk youth DAILY) are constantly intervening in combative situations amongst the youth. THERE IS NO REASON FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS TO PENALIZE EMPLOYEES EXERCISING PROPER INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES IF THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE CHILDREN SAFE. There is also no reason for employees to be penalized when high-risk youth have maniac or violent episodes. As I stated before and as it is stated on the CV website, THE WORK IS HARD. So why on Earth would MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS go against employees simply doing their job?! Ultimately, the residential location needs a thorough sweep of the supervisors and managers, it is absolutely disgusting how people are being treated. It’s almost as if they don’t know what working in a RTF entails. Time to do better for the kids and employees working with them on a daily basis.

The staff team is poorly trained and disjointed this includes the staff from top down culminating in toxic casework. Understatement to say there is no support for families caring for fosters . The children in their care are subject to painful mismanagement constantly. Stay clear of this agency at all costs.

Me and my younger brother were there in the mid 90s....we met a lot of cool people there....I was in Rose n Collins Cottage.....I was always going AWOL n OP...had the whole special services chasing me around the campus....I was on the jv n varsity basketball team...Ms. Mary was the coach

2 Stars is me being very generous for the sake of the company providing almost an unlimited amount of Overtime. Other than that this company is run by a group of people who look like they do no know what they’re doing at times. Their explanations for any problems presented is impeccable. Human Resources leaders and directors do not care about you as an employee in regards to what’s happening during covid, or any concerns brought up to them. I am an ex employee at this company for a little over year trust me when i say you are better off working at McDonalds or something. The most absurd thing about the company is that new employees with little to no experience get paid more than old employees who’ve been there obviously longer and are more experienced. Instead of trying to make you happy and comfortable, they will tell you to just quit your job and leave! You get paid too little for the amount of stress you are about to endure. Glad I left this place!