The Academy at Ivy Ridge was a “behavior correction institution for troubled teens” that operated from 2001-2009 in Ogdensburg, New York. Started by Robert Lichfield, Ivy Ridge claimed to be a school that taught kids honor, respect, and loyalty. But in reality, it was essentially a prison where children were abused and forced to comply with strict rules and procedures. Recently, survivors returned to the abandoned school and found troves of files and footage of what happened there; they are now speaking out in the hopes of holding those responsible accountable and bringing awareness to these types of institutions that still exist today. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or going to 988lifeline.org. If you are in crisis and are in the United States, you can text CONVO to 741741 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.

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