I researched many schools and put my trust in The Family School and have never regretted my decision. The staff of the school literally saved my son’s life and touched his heart that was so full of anger.

I have a B.S. in Psychology (2010) and am not an expert by any means, but I learned that even those with the “best” memories unconciously add or delete facts of events in the past. And they continue to build on them. Today, there is little confidence in eyewitnesses because of this factor. Now I am not saying that this is a psychological defect – it is a fact of life for all of us. A psychological defect would best be exemplified by Susan Sheehan, and my heart and prayers go out to her to find peace from her tormented mind. I also pray for Meg — you are a very strong woman.

There is no perfect situation in our world, but when you have a place to send your children to, with people who care, with people who know what they’re going through, who push them to grow-up and take responsibility, and who give you back the child you once knew — jump at that chance — miracles do happen.

I used to hold a serious grudge against my brother-in-law, but in the end it really serves no purpose — I have LET GO and LET GOD and life goes on with less of a heavy heart.

I thank God for The Family School, for Sid and Rita, and all those who took the time and definite effort to show my son a better way to live. I will continue to hope and pray for peaceful resolutions for all involved.

It seems apparent here that many staff feel hurt by the actions of certain alumni. That is too bad, and I’m sorry individuals become extreme and therefore slop-shod with their beliefs. You must feel as though the ‘Truth Campaign’ is a blow to your way of life, but I assure you it’s only a blow to your ego, and will never detract from the core of what you do.

What I have noticed is that both the Family Foundation School Staff and the FFS Truth Campaign Administrators use ridiculous, tactile language, much similar to language I have seen used in political editorials handed out by the ISO. Here are two examples:

-The term “Detractor’
-The term ‘Abuser’

Is there staff that would like to speak with an alumni who is neutral, and reasonable? If so, contact me. Meg you seem like somebody who could use a sound voice on the subject. I don’t know your sister, and I’m sorry you are now on such terms, but not everyone who submitted a testimony to the Truth Campaign website is a liar and resentful bully. If you were to refer to me as such, I would feel hurt in the same way you feel bullied by some alumni.

The term bully can be thrown around pretty easily, and it’s on the same level as ‘detractor.’ If there isn’t a staff member willing to look into the lives of the people they disagree with, they become like the alumni who are bitter with scars of the past. I would not throw a sucker punch or use violent language referencing the school, therefore I represent at least one alumni who can see rationally both sides of the argument.

What needs to be highlighted here is the foundation of the 8th and 9th steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There should be at no point a practicing member of AA who refuses a chance to take inventory of their past and reconcile where is needed. Using blanket statements about an entire group of people is not in the spirit of what I was taught at the Family Foundation School.

Thank you again for your time,

Matt Mantone

Unfortunately, Susan is able to fund lawyers and CAFTEY staff to continue a campaign of deceit and lies. Susan herself has refused all efforts to address her concerns in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner. Both FFS and mutual acquaintances have offered to “mediate” Susan’s allegations, but all offers have been refused.

Instead, she continues to lash out in public, with such bizarre actions as mass mailing a slanderous letter to 4,000 strangers. This letter contained a blatant lie, that FFS is “under investigation” by federal authorities. Susan has been repeating this lie for 2 years, but has yet to produce any proof.

FFS is a wonderful community that has helped thousands of children and families regain peace and love. I have witnessed this first hand and maintain close relationships with other families and former students. Susan’s perspective, on the other hand, is woven out of whole cloth and bears little resemblance to reality.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more background about the smear campaign and those promoting this destructive effort.

If my opinion is omitted from this page, I will assume the person who monitors this site, and the school at large, has something to hide. If that is not the case, I will see my post up on the blog, and I will feel more pleasant about the people who helped raise me.

To the Administration who were employed during my stay, I thank you for helping me become a better man. You were never bad to me and I never felt abused. Confused, scared, bored, yes, but abused never.

What I did witness, however, was very profane language being used by otherwise devout Christians, in very loud voices. I did see children who had only used drugs a hand-full of times be labeled addicts, and I did notice how certain students were treated differently then others.

My hope is that both this site, and the sites that claim abuse, can drop the warring attitude and come to a peaceful, mutually beneficial agreement. As was stated here on this blog, no school that deals with such powerful issues is perfect. If you could learn from alumni testimony, would you read them? Would you honor the word of students you shared bread with?