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Tough Love: The Bentalls and Philanthropy

Myles Murchison

| June 1, 2008

Image by: Dina Goldstein

The Bentalls, Vancouver's philanthropic odd couple, have had more trouble giving away their money than making it.

The Bentalls have taken the Cedar Foundation's philanthropy from Canada to Mexico, and are now getting hands-on in South Africa. But giving away $100 million, it seems, is harder than making it.

Bob and Lynda Bentall spent 14 years and about $35 million on the Ailanthus Achievement Centre, a private educational centre for disadvantaged children in Vancouver’s east end before closing it down in 2004; it was, Lynda Bentall says, “pretty much a failure.” They spent millions more over three years in Mexico through their philanthropic fund, the Cedar Foundation – including for construction of a $500,000 education centre in Queretaro – only to lose control of the centre and depart the country last August with their lives under threat. Another education project they launched in Kenya in 2005 was suspended earlier this year because of that country’s civil unrest.

The learning curve of a philanthropist, the Bentalls are discovering, is expensive. “It’s so much easier to make money than it is to give it away,” Bob Bentall tells me. Bentall, a multimillionaire and former CEO and chairman of the Bentall Corp., is 85. Through his investment group at Bentree Investments Inc., he has been trying for over 20 years to give away his income but often gathers more than the $3 million the Cedar Foundation can shovel out annually. The foundation, run out of a stylish 12th-floor office in (where else?) Bentall Centre’s fourth tower, will spend a planned total of $100 million over 35 years. Surprisingly, Bentall knew nothing about the stock market before he retired; he didn’t even have an RRSP, let alone a broker. Now he discusses “long calls” and “married puts” and sends me articles on net overweight stock positions. (For the record: I have known Bob and Lynda Bentall since the late ’80s, when I worked as an independent consultant for his company.)

Test: How Altruistic Are You, Really?
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More: 2007 Profile of Frank Giustra
More: Rennie: The Small Give Is Over

Bob Bentall has always been considered, in his own words, something of a “nutbar.” He expects – like Abraham and the other patriarchs of Genesis – to live 100 years or more, and for the past 60 years has dedicated his life physically to achieving that goal with a personal trainer, his own fitness gym and regular exercise four times a week. (He was already jogging in the 1950s – the first person he knew in West Vancouver to do that.) He was one of those gawky kids in elementary school who didn’t have many friends but always had the best grades – it was expected of him. Even when he didn’t require the lessons, his protective mother sent him to tutors to be sure he met the expectations of his larger-than-life father, Charles, the entrepreneurial engineer who controlled Dominion Construction, once advertised as “the company that built Vancouver.”

I became aware in our formal interviews how important it was that I understood that he earned his fortune, that it wasn’t just handed to him. He did, after all, wrest the company from his family’s control and took two other former partners along with him: Paul Worster and Howard, the oldest Bentall brother (now a retired Baptist minister in Alberta). In the settlement, his brother Clark got the construction business; Bob got four million square feet of prime office, shopping-centre and industrial real estate (including the towers) and virtually everything else – which he re-established as the Bentall Group. He guided the company’s expansion in California and Canada and took it public in 1997. (It is now Bentall Capital, which manages and leases about 55 million square feet of commercial real estate, with assets of $15 billion.)

Bentall and Worster, his former partner in the Bentall Group, now manage Bentree’s portfolio (along with four asset managers) – with 70 per cent of the portfolio split evenly between stock and bond holdings and 30 per cent invested in startups (chiefly housing in Western Canada and Washington, and oil and gas in Saskatchewan). Bentree is a private company and, while Bentall declines to discuss the value of the company’s holdings, he did say it has plans to conclude the partnership – essentially because Bentall’s portion of the profit goes directly to Cedar Foundation and Canada’s financial regulations regarding the philanthropic use of pre-tax dollars prevent the company from the kinds of speculative investments that can lead to much more spectacular returns. (Not to put too fine a point on it, but if I understand the complicated tax issues, Worster wants out so he can make more money.)

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Lynda Bentall is a self

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-06-10 14:43.

Lynda Bentall is a self obsessed power tripper with serious control issues. Bob may be a bit of a nut but he is a very kind hearted person and I have fond memories of him. I am a former student of Ailanthus.... was lured in with photos of wonderful trips and promises... but was completely lied to and so disappointed in the outcome of the program. They had a great sales pitch.. however, just as many kids that were "kickedout" out also left on their own. The physical aspect of the program was amazing... probably because Bob had more influence in that area.... Raymond (the kung-fu teacher) was extremely motivating and such a joy to learn from. There were other teachers that were loved and easy to relate to but they never lasted too long. In the end all the students were let down and I do not believe that the program was suitable for their original target market..... no thanks to ailanthius I am now an educated business woman at 20 years old working from the downtown core. I do not drink or do drugs and am very glad that I got all that "partying" out of my system at a young age. I see so many people that I went to high school with that were sheltered away from drinking and drugs.. stayed out of it for the duration of high school and now, with much more at risk, are addicted to drugs and alcohol... kids do have the right to experiment and having someone control your every move will only handicapp you for your future. Might I also mention that I did not come from a "broken home", I had a great stable family, lovely home and many talents. I had very low self esteem that got far lower within the program. For some people I will not deny that it gave them a great opportunity to realize their potential.... but for most.. they just needed to grow up and experience life.. they would have been fine :)

Wow . I don't even know how

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-05-30 19:18.

Wow . I don't even know how to begin . Ill I really want to say is Thank You to Lynda & Bob. While most kids my age in my neighbourhood were experimenting with drugs and other unproductive Activities , I was attendind Ailanthus .I have to say the programs isn't responsible for much of who I am today But all of who I am today. While my sisters and close friends expperimented and developed addictions with hartd Drugs . I was there learning something different than how to hot wire a car or smoke crack with out a pipe. I was learning to love dance and more importantly myself. I learned that where I came from didn't have to define who I was or Who I could be . I have to give them credit where it is due , and I think I am a great example of what they Wanted to achive. More so I am ashamed and hurt to hear the work they did be called a "failure" I AM A SUCCESS Thank You both again Meagan Nicholson

I attended Ailanthus for the

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2010-04-07 15:09.

I attended Ailanthus for the last year it was open and I would have to agree that it failed. Failed the youth that attended! There were so many unkept promises made, so many belittling remarks made by the head staff, I fail to see where our selfesteem was lifted. If a child was ill, they were given a Tums and glass of water and told to continue participating in gruelling dance routines or martial arts lessons. If a dentist appointment arose during the school week, the parent was critisized for not having it booked on the weekend. How irresponsible of our "drug addict" parents to send us to the dentist, and expect that our school be forgiving of the 2 hours we may miss. How inconsiderate of our educations that a loving parent may want to spend the only two days they have a week with their child, as opposed to in a dentist office. I recall one incident where my Mom objected to me recieving a Flu vaccination, I was threatened with expullsion if I didnt comply. What followed was being physically forced in a chair and having a doctor I didnt know, nor was I comfortable with, performing a vaccination that I did not want. All in the name of my future! Before winter break, my Mom had planned a 2 day trip for her and my brother (also a previous student at Ailanthus). My mom had made arrangements for me to stay with my Grandparents. How inconsiderate of my safety! Lynda caught wind of this "tragedy", and I was instead forced to stay in Residence for my winter break. Was my Mom ever furious, but again, had I disagreed with them, I would be letting go of such a "rich opportunity" and be asked to leave. It was during my stay at the residence that I learned of the Bentalls plans for Mexico. All I could think was, how dare you lie to all the students who were working to prove their worth. All in all, what I took from Ailanthus was the rare moments when my favorite teachers would indulge us in a story from their bright lives that existed outside the cement walls of Ailanthus. I enjoyed meeting new friends that I've kept with me until this very day. Most importantly, I will always remember how grateful I was to have my normal family life back.

Ashley O'Neil 23, I attended

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-02-28 20:57.

Ashley O'Neil 23, I attended Ailtanthus for a few years. To hear and see it called a failure is truly upsetting. It may not have turned out to be exactly what the founders were expecting but to call it a failure is not fair either. Many of the students who attended have gone on to do great things. It is unfair to take young people, put them together all the time and expect them all to be the same person. Individuality should be engouraged not suppressed. Many of us have continued on to college, university and have successful careers. We all commited to the hours and the work for some period of time. Was it for everyone? No, but those of us who were there appreciated what we were given and the opportunity as well as life lessons we received. Ailanthus meant a lot to everyone that was there and yes we formed friendships and bonds with each other and the staff. We were together 12 hours a day, what else could really be expected. Many of the friendships that were created in Ailanthus are still holding today. Not many people can say that and it has contributed to who we all are today. You need to be able to take responsibility for your own actions, both success and failure. Everyone encounters bumps along the way and no one will allow themselves to be fully controlled, it's part of growing up and becoming your own person. While we were taught to be "professional" we were also taught not to be individual. I appreciate what I learned with Ailanthus, but I have also worked hard for what I have and who I have become since the program ended.

I attended the program in

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-01-24 00:47.

I attended the program in the summer of 1995. While the program had good intentions, I really did not learn much there or call it a good experience. The people running it were very strict, and sometimes downright verbally abusive to students. I remember a particular dance class where the instructor would expect younger kids (I was either in Grade 4 or 5 at the time) to have army like discipline and co-ordination...he would actually make some of them cry and send them home for not being able to remember routines right away. Another issues was the kids that were there. I came from a normal family which wasn't poor or had any problems. However, a large number of others were. I recall being threatened/physically assaulted during the breaks, and nothing done about it. I was even accused of being "racist" for defending myself when attacked by a person who was a member of a visible minority (even though most of my friends from school were!). Overall, I couldn't wait for it to end. While it certainly had good intentions, it was a nightmare experience for me. It seems the program was more geared towards people with family/substance abuse issues than for somebody who just needed something to do over the summer. I ended up graduating from high school with honours/awards and SFU with a BSc in Computing Science.

I worked only some months

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2009-10-15 12:40.

I worked only some months for the Foundation; I believe the programs were very well structured and for most of the kids they have offered wonderful experiences, many life changing, others life improving. This effort was not in vain. Each one of the kids touched in this way, is living proof. I know they are many young successful adults sharing their experiences with the Foundation. This is priceless and also thanks to the amazing human talent that coached these kids in academics and arts. I am very proud of being part of that, however this is a sweet sour memory; in my opinion, the funders were convinced that their generosity granted them in exchange, the right to control the kids, sometimes beyond reason. Every "deserving" kid had to comply with what they believe was the "ideal". The Residence was also a beautiful place were kids were given a hard time for every little thing. Absolute control. My heart broke every time I saw kids having to make the decision between acting their part for the Bentals and get the benefits of the program or instead be truthful to what they believed and miss out that terrific opportunity. Seeing kids expelled from the program was as discouraging and sad as frequent. The staff also was expected to change to fit into the program, of course another show, there are no perfect people, and we are all entitled to be different as individuals. In the afternoons Lynda, Lydia and her friends exchanged gossips over tea, sometimes quite entertaining and harmless... but sometimes they "new info" involved someone from the staff; the rumors will grow and evolve, and one week later a person was fired, no explanation required. The kids that were attached to the staff fired would start rebelling to the change, in turn, the rumors were allowed to run widely, the fired staff ended up not only without a job, but also with their image damaged. It did seemed the easiest way to get everyone to accept it. Staff and kids were disposable for the Bentals if in any way they challenged their ideas. This is the only failure.

Do you guys want to hear

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2009-08-19 21:17.

Do you guys want to hear some really good advice? When you are arguing that a program designed to supplement your education is not a failure, you really shouldn’t spell failure wrong. That is what I did :D. I hope you guys have a good laugh about it ( I did ). Teddy

I attended Ailanthus for

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2009-07-18 01:19.

I attended Ailanthus for over 3 years 2001 until its death, out of which i have grown to be what i am today, could i have done it without Ailanthus? Yes. Would i have been even more successful without it? The answer is more than likely yes. I was not given the courses i needed for what i wanted to go into even despite numerous conversations with Linda about it, with the guys about it, with everyone there. So what happened, i was rushed into a field i didn't have a passion for. I wasn't funded for my college even though i was promised it a countless number of times, until the end of course, when everyone was denied funding except maybe one person, who i believe was cut off of funding in the end anyway. Sure that place did good for people, but it did equal amounts of bad and that is why i believe she refers to this as a failure. It was a horrible failure, it was run with the best of intentions but despite everything it lacked serious guidence. The moment Azam, Gerold, and Doug were all gone, that was it. They could have checked out at that moment and gone down to Mexico, it would not have mattered. They supplied a residence for really troubled kids which was by far their most successful program. However it still had its faults. You have to let kids be kids and saying, you can't date till your 16 is rediculous, 14 year olds may not know everything about the world and dating, but with a system like the residence behind you it would be fine. The kids are going to be together one way or another and they should have just been supportive about it instead of constrictive. The res never stopped myself and some others that i know from dating those inside of it and kids these days are even more clever than we were. A sudden pull out like this simply because its a failure, how many times did she talk to everyone and adress us as her children, how many times did she cry over us, how many times did she lecture us about being good and pulling up our socks. Nonono, you don't just bail on your kids like that just because their "program" is a failure. If your kids are failing, you pickthem up, brush them off, give them a pep talk and keep on supporting them. What happened was cold and heartless honestly. It made me sadder beyond words the day i left, i could not describe to you how liberating it felt to leave yet also how badly i wanted to turn around and hold onto it while it was there. Sadly, i believe there are some more rooted issues to why they left us in the mud so abruptly, deeper problems that the mind of a child cannot seem to imagine, so why not call it a failure and move on. We will never know what the true reasons were but i know that it wasn't just a failure that forced their move. Many of you who went to ailanthus know me and i know some of you who are reading this certainly know who i am and if you do, you don't know how to contact me because over the years i have seen to cutting off almost every connection i have to that place. I was, the last Super Troupe and i what i held in me was Ailanthus and represented it everywhere i went, to this day i still proudly wear that shirt and smile, but not for the Bentalls, for my people and their ongoing struggle, be strong.

It is disturbing to me, that

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2009-06-27 13:49.

It is disturbing to me, that the children and families who accepted the charity of The Bentalls, are now being portrayed in such a vilifying and inaccurate way. My name is Leif Langvand. I attended the Ailanthus program from its' inception, in 1991, to the summer of 1995. I was not a delinquent, nor did I come from a dysfunctional home. I was a shy and unconfident young man, who had recently moved to Vancouver from Edmonton, Alberta. One day, I was led out of my grade 6 Classroom to the school Library. I was told that we had been selected to be interviewed for a performing arts school that we could attend during the summer break. Lynda Bentall conducted the interview. She seemed like a generous women who wanted to help people. Later, I was told that I was accepted to the summer program at no cost. Of corse, my family and I were thrilled. I hadn't been in Vancouver for more than nine months, and things were going very well for me. The next two months changed my life. I made lifetime friends, and discovered that I could learn new skills, and excel at them. By introducing us to a broad spectrum of the performing arts, The Bentalls taught us the value of team work and belief in ones self. Also, my love for Film making can be traced back to my first hands-on experiences, working on projects at Ailanthus. I am now a Graduate of The Pacific Film and Media Academy ( Formerly, Victoria Motion Picture School ) , and I have just finished work on a feature film, as 2nd Assistant Director. I will be forever grateful to The Bentalls for helping me discover my full potential. Still, I am saddened by the apparent spin this article has taken. Ailanthus was not a failure. To simply make that statement, is an extreme generalization. When I attended the program, it seems like there were less rules. Maybe it was better that way. I can only speak from the comments i've read. but if what everyone has been writing is true, then Lynda Bentall's idealism went too far and it made her lose her way. How could anyone believe that they can control every aspect of someone's life and make them successful? I believe that success come out of self love, and discovering your unique talents so you can use them to follow your dreams. The descriptions of Ailanthus in these comments is nothing like the place I remember. AIlanthus wasn't a failure. But Lynda Bentall failed us, if she was arrogant enough to think she could meddle with peoples lives to such an extent.

My name is Carmen Moya and I

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2008-12-15 16:31.

My name is Carmen Moya and I am 22 years old. I joined Ailanthus when I was 13 years old and stayed with the program until I was 16 years old. My family and I just recently moved to Canada from the Philippines. It was a very tough move for my family. Ailanthus was the best thing that ever happened to me. They gave me the strength to be myself and how to be the best person I can be despite my family's obstacles. My parents weren't drug addicts or alcoholics, we were merely immigrants at the time. Money was tight and I have big ambitions. I have always loved performing and I was great at it except for one problem, my parent's didn't have the money we now have to support my extra-curricular activities such as dancing, singing, and acting. I never lived in the REZ so I wouldn't be able to comment on anything in regards to that. I always thought of Lynda as very blunt. I considered her as a mentor at the time. However, I was really confused and outraged because she removed me from the program because I had a crush on a boy that went to the program. There were so many rules but I didn't think having a relationship with a boy was one of them. I thought I was valuable to the program I showed them that I was a great role model for the younger kids and always followed her never ending rules and regulations. My life after Ailanthus is great. I didn't "fall off the cracks of life." I went to BCIT, and currently working at one of her many towers in downtown Vancouver. I have a great job and still has the best supportive family a girl could ever ask for. Lynda, thank you for the best program ever. It was a pleasure getting to know everyone at the program especially all our instructors who taught us the real lessons in life. I miss you all.

I was also a student at

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-10-25 20:58.

I was also a student at Ailanthus. I am angered to hear Mrs Bentalls statement that The Ailanthus Achievement Centre was a failure. As another student pointed out, we were given "guide lines" on how to dress, do our hair, could not wear jewellery or much makeup. If they thought you were outside the guide lines, you were asked to change your appearance. I didn't come from a bad home either. Were there kids from disadvantaged homes? Yes, but most of us weren't. We were normal kids who were either given an opportunity or had trouble learning in crammed classrooms. Saying that this project (if I speak in seemingly parallel terms, and as blunt as Linda) failed, is the biggest understatement I can think of. A lot of us enjoyed our time there. Were there bad times? Yeah, sure, but bad times go hand in hand no matter where you are in life. I know that MY LIFE was enriched by my experiences in Rez and in class. I know a lot of others will agree with me. I also know that there were more than enough politics for anyone to handle. I left Ailanthus and moved out of Rez months before it was shut down. I was later told by other kids who lived in Rez that Linda had a sit down dinner with them and told them the "real reason" that I had left. I "left" because I was pregnant, and had moved to my mothers in Terrace BC and was living off of welfare, and a high school drop out. Ailanthus enriched my life, but I for one, could have done without Linda's politics.

I wnet to ailanthus from

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2008-09-29 13:19.

I wnet to ailanthus from summer 2000 to winter 2002, ailanthus was the best thing to ever happen to me, i meet soo many great friends i still keep in contact with today, the staff was great aswell, l ived them, i got so many great oppurtunites after ailanthus with all the skills i learned and i came thank them enough for that!!! But when it came to the lynda part, it was bad, she ruined alot of peoples lives. i lived in " the rez" for 6 months, i did not come from a bad home , niether was my single mother a drug or alcohol abuiser, i came from a great home. i went to the rez for moretime to do circus arts and schooling, but when i was there she lied about alot, making my mother hurt bad ,even to this day when i talk about ailanthus , she cries. they told my mother she was a bad parent and i was a mess-up. ailanthus has done great stuff but as well as bad, there are kids that went to alanthus that i see todat that are worse of then went they started.

Larissa Strocen, 23 I was in

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-09-26 12:46.

Larissa Strocen, 23 I was in the Ailnthus Program form summer 99 to winter 2003 and was part of the Club Ed program full time in 2003 and there were both go times and bad. You are not encouraged to be yourself, you have to dress the same, hair back all the time no jewellery, you are not an individual you were a robot. I am not from a druggie family, nor have i even done drugs or drink. I was justa normal teen who was a big tomboy. The performing arts component taught us to work together and show us what we can do when we work hard. The instructors were great. However, I didnt meet lynda til a year into the prgram I was interviewed by 2 youth workers. Things however were very off at the program, they distroyed relationships and if a kid was kicked out they made sure all the connections to people still in the program were severed. A very close friend of mine was told horrible things about me and teachers where told not to dicuss me leaving and if anybody asked questions to send them to Lynda. They took me into a room the night before I left and Lynda tore into me telling me theh type of person she thought I was while the instructors sat there and did nothing. I left the next day. In the end, the Program was not a failure, Lynda just slowly had all the schoolboards stop sending kids as all the kids who got kicked out were messed up in regular school afterwards. She promised you the world it was if you chose to believe that it was real. I wouldnt trade my experience there for anything, I meet my bestfriends and discovered my love for performing. You had the best of everything while you were there. I just believe she could have handled people better, she crushed your self confidence. ciruque de la vie...is the circus life for me:)

I was part of the Ailanthus

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2008-09-10 01:11.

I was part of the Ailanthus program for 2 years. When I first heard about Ailanthus through one of my teachers at my high school, I was excited. Here was a program that could teach us more than our normal high school, keep us fit, and give us some sort of ambition. From reading this article and hearing Linda's opinion on how the program "failed" really saddens me. First of all, not all of us who joined the Ailanthus program came from welfare homes, or drug/alcohol addicted families. My family didn't do drugs, and they supported me with every decision I made, always trying to make sure I did the right thing. They also would help me with my school work to the best of their ability as much as they could. My mom never even missed a single play or basketball game I ever had. And one note that I wanted to comment on. In the article you quoted Linda on saying that she interviewed everyone personally. That's not true. I didn't even meet Lynda Bentall until about 2 months after I had joined the program and I had no idea who she even was for the first month and a half in the summer. But from criticising her opinions and her quotes I do have to say that my time at Ailanthus was the best I ever had. Even though I was told that I would never amount to anything (yes that was written in my very last report card from Lynda herself.) I think I've done just great. I graduated from high school, even gone to SFU, work full time, go to school full time. So before everybody thinks that the program "failed" maybe you should talk to the students who used to go. Me and one of my closest friends (who went to the program with me) talk about all our great memories about Ailanthus and the other day she asked me if I would go back and do it again. I said I would do it in a heart beat.... Sincerely yours, Samantha LeDrew

I went to Ailanthus for

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-08-30 12:02.

I went to Ailanthus for about 4 years and am hurt to see it called a failure. While the program did have its ups and downs, it did help many people. Not everyone benefits from the methods used there. You also need to look at the fact that once we got through the doors of the building everyday, we weren't allowed to be ourselves anymore. We were expected to be what Lynda thought we should be. There was very little room left to be an individual. Everyone dressed the same, was expected to pretty much talk the same and act the same way. The shows were the only time we really have a good chance to be who we were outside of the building but even that was very structured. What you need to realize Lynda is that by trying to teach us to be professional and mature you also tried to stop us from just being kids. Not everyone that went there was on drugs, in a gang or even living in an abusive home. Some people just needed that push in the right direction and someone to believe in them. The program for me was both beneficial and detrimental. But to call it a failure seems a bit harsh. Look at all the people who have done amazingly in life after the program. If anything in the program was a failure it was Lynda's lack of ability to completely control the lives of so many teens. Honestly so many people look at it as a huge success but near the end it just seemed like a power trip for the people running the program. I would like to thank Lynda and Bob both for the experience and knowledge I gained from being a part of Ailanthus. It changed my life for both the better and worse. I was truly unique and helped my self esteem and motivation to do something with my life. It got me off drugs and set me on the right path in life.

My name is Anthony Matthews,

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-07-06 18:06.

My name is Anthony Matthews, and I'm now 22. I was enrolled at the Ailanthus program in East Vancouver for over a year, in both the summer and winter programs in 2002. This program, despite it's sometimes harsh and penalizing way of doing things, did none the less change my life, I was an immature, coke and meth driven 16 year old in high school in Surrey, and this chance came across to me through a school counsellor, and, at first I felt like giving up, it was too hard, but I began to excel, but, unfortunately, before physically falling back into the vicious cycle that I was in before Ailanthus, I was already slipping back into the mindset of being hopeless, stranded and stupid. Ailanthus changed my life, and now, even though I am residing in Edmonton, Alberta, I can see the same thought-provoking and confidence-building things that the program constantly taught us, and I would like to be able to personally thank Lynda and Bob Bentall for this program. Even though it is now 6 years later, and a province away, I am venturing through my high school upgrading, working a full-time job, and eventually I will be attending Grant MacEwan College to pursue my dreams of being a Social Worker. The one thing that I did detest about that program was the fact that we were all isolated and held back from any reasonable contact with our families, which, from my perspective, destroyed my ability to communicate with my mother afterwards, on top of the drugs and street life. Overall, this program was controversial, yes, but it also had a conscience and a soul, and although the program overall was misguided and lacked a truly innovative and successful vision, it still changed lives, and some of us kids walked away with skills that would help out right away in life, or in my case, would be implemented once we finally get our lives on track. Ailanthus was a troubled program because the Bentalls and the staff, as well as us participants, did not truly share in the full vision of the program, nor did the administration create a proper, extensive code of conduct, ethics, and a business vision, it seemed, but the Bentalls had the best intentions in mind, and for that I am grateful.

I am genuinely sad to hear

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-07-04 09:08.

I am genuinely sad to hear that so many people including employees and the Bentalls themselves consider Ailanthus to be a failuire. I participated in the program for 7 years and I truly loved it. I took so many great experiencies away from Ailanthus and I will be forever grateful to the Bentalls. I was never in the Residence program, so I can't comment on that but the rest of the program was fantastic. Among all the things we were given and learned (Roxy has already mentioned so many), I learned something about true generosity and compassion. I will take that with me for the rest of my life. I suspect there are going to be a lot of ex-Ailanthus participants who read this. I want to emphasize that I am not commenting on the residence program. Their experiences were very individual, dramtic and nothing like mine. That said, it is the nature of people to be ungrateful. Within the program, a culture developed. While a small minority had some genuinely bad experiences the majority thought it was okay to rag on the program. It's not! I am taking a stance. Anybody who doesn't agree needs to seriously revaluate their experience. Teddy D Hey Roxy!

One aspect of my story that

Submitted by Myles Murchison (not verified) on Mon, 2008-06-16 11:00.

One aspect of my story that I'm afraid did not survive my many rewrites and edits was the weight that could have been brought to the commitment Lynda and Bob Bentall made to Ailanthus and other child-education programs in Africa and North America. Whatever errors Shredder notes in his/her comments, certainly no one can fault the Bentalls for the time and energy they spent with their Ailanthus kids. Quite aside from the money, Lynda in particular devoted 14 years of her life to running the Centre as its hands-on administrator and surrogate Mom. I have spent time with Lynda over the years and Ailanthus was always at the centre of her interests and conversation. I agree with Ms Wallbank. In many ways, the Ailanthus program was 'amazing.' Nor was there space to include the Bentalls' involvement in such highly successful programs like Posse, the New York City-based educational program that finances and supports disadvantaged students entering university; or Prep-For-Prep which prepares disadvantaged high school children to enter college. The Bentalls have also discovered and supported independently-run and successful programs in Kenya, and are now personally exploring opportunities to educate deserving children in South Africa.

I am Roxanne Wallbank a 24

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-06-15 19:39.

I am Roxanne Wallbank a 24 yr. old former Ailanthus member who is forever grateful to Bob and Lynda Bentall for the 4 years I spent in the program as a teen. I don't know if I could have finished high school much less BCIT Security Alarm's without help. It was amazing! I got two free meals a day, free clothing, a tutor, physical training, ethics training, counseling, and a second family. Anything you needed, you got. I know that some of the former Ailanthus kids called it "The Womb" because it was both nurturing and isolated. I was never isolated there because I wanted so badly to take every opportunity I could. I was also in martial arts, swimming, band, yoga and I jogged outside of Ailanthus. Conflicts did occur in timing but I was never pressured to give up anything outside of Ailanthus. I was not encouraged to distance myself from my parents and I never lived in "The Residence" but I went there often and it was well equiped and clean. How can we say it's a failure anyway? In the Vancouver eastside kids got some meals and clothing and for a moment, a break. Many of us have thrived. Ailanthus (the plant) is a weed, so were many of us. We were unwanted opportunists seeking a place to grow and learn. We were lucky to get it and carried it with us to college and university and into our selected fields of work. What's wrong with over achieving? I can't express the effect this experience had on my life, but I wouldn't have given it up for all the silk in China! Hard work, Team work and Respect! R^2

I worked for approx 2 years

Submitted by shredder (not verified) on Wed, 2008-06-04 20:00.

I worked for approx 2 years on and off at Ailanthus and after reading this article I was re-affirmed what I already knew about the Bentalls. They just seem to miss the point of why what they are attempting to do does not ever work. In this writer's opinion the fundamental downfall of her programs are not impossible to fix but Lynda and Bob can't see the forest for the tree's. Their basic tenants in running these programs is for all involved to understand that the kids are the only focus and they are to be motivated and cultivated without any concern for anyone else involved. In other words the people who work for her are to be robots and not to bring any of their life experiences, trials, tribulations or success' into the picture. I can recall being instructed to leave my personal life at home, all our focus was to be for the kids and our lives were inconsequential when at work. Combine that with her withholding family participation and inclusion and you have a recipe for disaster! What these kids really needed was to have been able, if warranted, to reconnect with their families, or caregivers, and to connect with the adults who are working with them alongside discipline and encouragement. She removed kids from bad situations but she also isolated them from the real world. Arts and academics should be part of the picture but the social and psychological needs cannot be left behind. With these programs running privately, with no checks and balances from objective, professional influence, you will run yourself into the ground and the people involved, the kids and staff alike walk away with a very bad taste in our mouths!