Childhelp, Inc.
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May 27, 2013
Childhelp is a very lucrative venture for the two founders; two old lady movie stars from the 50's. Together that take a huge salary from the business as do most of the leadership team. They travel around the country first-class on the dime of those that make donations. However, most of revenue comes from the government in the form of medicaid, grants etc.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Close the doors.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
April 23, 2013
3 people found this review helpful
Alice C. Tyler Village and Merv Griffin Village are being utilized by this national organization to siphon Medicaid and fund ancillary projects in support of abused and neglected children. The company does not invest enough in the villages, the programs, or in professional development of it's staff. As a result, services are mediocre or poor and treatment, as well as education, suffers. Childhelp is gilded, at best. Great name recognition, but much shinier on the outside than within. They are perpetually in trouble with licensing, and more interested in appearances than actual services. Be wary. The only reason they have not been closed the villages at various times in the past couple of years, is because social services has nowhere to house these children. One advantage of serving severely abused and neglected populations is that licensing is not going to hold the organization as accountable as it should be held for fear that there is, literally, nowhere else for these children to go. Truly a sad state of affairs: poorly managed, understaffed, and under trained. Childhelp is a train wreck waiting to derail, with a lack of accountability. Yvonne and Sara are amazing, and deserve to see their legacy better managed.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Somewhat badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 1, 2013
6 people found this review helpful
I cannot say that I know the organization personally, but in doing some research on them, I read their recently posted 990 (for fiscal year ending June30, 2011) and it does indeed state, in their own words and as a matter of public record, that the top executive leadership makes very high salaries, they closed at least two group homes in the Arizona area, at least two staff were no longer working there as of mid-2011 (though reasons are not stated) and at least one was given a six-figure severance package, and they are in considerable debt, ending the year with a negative balance. The 990 shows a huge sum spent on lobbying and more than $150,000 spent on conferences and the like. The charity rating sites reveal that in 2003 and earlier, they were a four star organization and have been considerably unsteady since then, although recent years show a bit of an improvement. Although their website states that they started as an internationally focused organization, their most recent audit report (on their website) states that entity is dormant. In 1995 the organization entered into an agreement with a non-related entity to own and operate a general office building in Scottsdale, Arizona, and put $393,000 into said property. It is unclear what financial benefit this arrangement is having in terms of furthering the mission of the organization. As of June 30, 2011, they owed $2.4 million on a $3 million dollar line of credit. Their audit report shows a variety of notes payable (debt) totalling more than $9 million. Per the audit report, last year, Childhelp did not generate enough revenue to run their basic operations and had to dip into restricted assets in their small endowment resources to pay for basic operating costs, nor were they able to make any matching contributions to their employees' defined contribution plans for at least the past two years. Note #14 of the audit report indicates considerable conflict of interest issues with board members benefiting financially from agency services. Reviewers are referred specifically to Notes 16 and 17 of the audit report that speak to significant financial challenges and the need for major restructuring, with a specific statement that the organization has enough resources to service obligations through Feb 2013 (2 months away!). I don't know if the reviewer below is "disgruntled" or not, but the evidence on the agency's own website suggests the reviewer below may be shedding a little inside light on a very difficult situation and donors should require the organization to demonstrate it's improvement plan prior to sinking much more money into this organization. This company does indeed appear to be having more than a little difficulty managing its finances. I have worked in the non-profit sector for over 25 years and support a number of charities. My own organization climbed out of a terrible fiscal hole a few years ago so I know of what I speak. Children and child abuse prevention are near and dear to my heart, but ChildHelp, Inc. appears to need a major course correction starting at the top.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Somewhat badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
December 12, 2012
I am a monthly volunteer for Childhelp organization. I believe the founders are very kind and heart filled to open this nonprofit to help all the abused children in the world. For a small donation each month I am pleased to feed a abused child. No Child should ever be abused and it is terrible how many die from abuse. Childhelp is doing such a tremendous thing helping the children recover, and heal and keep them safe.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 12, 2012
I am a huge advocate for the Childhelp organization. I have had the opportunity to get to know several key people in the organization, and I have witnessed the love and dedication that they have for helping children. I sent the Merv Griffin Village a large box of new clothing for the children, and I not only received a personalized letter of appreciation from the founders, but they also left a voice message on my cell phone thanking me for my donation. I have never received such a sincere gesture of gratitude from any other organization, but it wasn't the gratitude of thanks that made Childhelp my first choice charity to support. It's what they have actually done to prove their words and commitment to treating and preventing child abuse. You don't receive a Nobel Peace nomination for overpaying your organization's leaders as one reviewer claimed, and if you receive five consecutive nominations, you must be doing something pretty damn amazing! I will continue to support Childhelp, because I trust the leadership and direction of the organization as long as Sara & Yvonne are involved. The organization's motto, "For the love of a child", says it all. Those words are the reason for Childhelp's actions and existence, and there is no one who can honestly deny that as the truth.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 6, 2012
I saw the posting dated October 31st, and this sounds very much like one person's opinion--possibly a disgruntled former employee. I have supported this organization for a long time, and I know firsthand how Childhelp supports 250,000 children a year and been in business for over 50 years. I also know that all charities have been hit hard due to the recession, and I commend the great work of this organization for what they do in addressing a very difficult issue - child abuse.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
October 31, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
Childhelp is nearly broke, and it is because of the greed of its management. People are being laid off, programs are being shut down, and services are not being given, but the top people in the company are still making out like bandits with huge salaries, great perks, and god only knows what else. There are better places to donate to that take care of children, this organization has killed itself with terrible management and pure greed putting money in the pockets of the top two, and taking it from those who need it.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
August 16, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
They really need to work on training the people who answer their 1-800-4-A-CHILD hotline. Here is an email I sent to employees at ChildHelp after my experience. I NEVER received a response. I called 1-800-4-A-CHILD to vent to a counselor about my baby, who had been crying for several minutes and nothing had seemed to console him.
I was at my wits' end and I needed to have someone listen to me. Instead, your counselor interrupted me and said the way I'm speaking about my child is disrespectful and it makes her want to turn me in.
Excuse me.
I have experienced various counseling situations, and I have been trained in listening for caregiving purposes. I have never encountered such incompetence at counseling as I did with this woman.
Instead of listening to and validating what I was saying, she passed judgment on me.
I called back at 10:30 a.m. and asked the name of her supervisor. She said the counselors didn't have a supervisor.
She then began arguing with me and she told me I needed to take a parenting class! Then she hung up on me.
I am a conscientious parent who occasionally needs some support. Next time I need support, I will NOT be calling your hotline.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
None
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
No
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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