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The Aftermath Foundation & SP(Suppressive Persons)TV: A Critique
The Aftermath Foundation & SP(Suppressive Persons)TV: A Critique
Yes, the same community who brags about getting me banned on 2 platforms, gave out my cell phone number, call me nasty names…
I want to make it clear: these victims need & deserve help. My issue is discrimination against certain victims & lack of transparency r/t funding.
I want to make it clear: these victims need & deserve help. My issue is discrimination against certain victims & lack of transparency r/t funding.
2018: Per Mike Rinder’s blog, “Aftermath is devoted to providing resources, support & advocacy addressing both immediate & longer-term needs of former & current scientologists, while raising public awareness of the abuses perpetrated by the cult.”
mikerindersblog.org
mikerindersblog.org
2018: The same blog post lists 7 board members, including Rinder himself. Aftermath’s back-tax filings do not reflect this.
The years filed here cover 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021. If there were other board members from the beginning, I don’t understand why they weren’t listed.
projects.propublica.org
projects.propublica.org
The first page shows they received a gift totaling $128,824. Below, both the contributor & amount are redacted.
The most recent filing appears to be a more accurate account of the board members, though this too has recently changed.
projects.propublica.org
projects.propublica.org
We also see growth in revenue from inception to the most recent filing. They received another gift (unknown?) for $84,714.00.
Per Aftermath: “Former Sea Org members tend to be industrious workers but many have no employment history nor family outside of Scientology. Further, many have no formal education, bank account, driver’s license or credit history.”
theaftermathfoundation.org
theaftermathfoundation.org
I have zero interest in trying to break down the in’s & outs of the Sea Org. SPTV, the primary moniker on YouTube for AfterMath & all things “ex-Scientology”, has many channels with former Sea Org hosts. Many hosts share their experiences inside for those interested.
Growing Up In Scientology, hosted by Aftermath Board Member Aaron Smith-Levin, has the largest audience. The channel was created in 2015 with over 170k subscribers.
@GrowingUpInScientology?si=Jh0DTIDBX-l-2jms" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
@GrowingUpInScientology?si=Jh0DTIDBX-l-2jms" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
2022: “Twice over the last 2 years, LEO’s been called to quell altercations w/Aaron Smith-Levin, now a candidate for Clearwater City Council. He blames the “hell” & “unbelievable stress” of leaving the Church of Scientology, starting about 7 years ago.”
tampabay.com
tampabay.com
2014: There’s also record of issues with Herbalife & Aaron Smith-Levin, whose OTG research firm conducted interviews with Herbalife distributors in China. Herbalife is a pyramid scheme as far as I know so, whatever.
reuters.com
reuters.com
Many know the church owns Clearwater, FL. Aaron ran for council in Clearwater last year & received endorsement from Leah Remini herself. His opponent won.
newsweek.com
newsweek.com
Back to SPTV: The show offers fundraisers for various goal markers & guests - here is where my questions begin.
This fundraiser to reach 170K subscribers states $500 will go to Aftermath as a matched donation by the host.
youtube.com
This fundraiser to reach 170K subscribers states $500 will go to Aftermath as a matched donation by the host.
youtube.com
July 2023: The only comment available shows “more than $2,000” of $18,500 was sent to The Foundation. This may very well leave $15,000 on the table & it’s not clear where these funds went. There’s no update showing said transaction via PayPal.
2 days later:
The Story of Serge fundraiser shows two channels supporting the fundraiser - GrowingUpInScientology & Blown For Good. “Serge is one of the many people Aftermath has helped.”
No comments from the Pre/After-Show where $26,266.00 went.
youtube.com
The Story of Serge fundraiser shows two channels supporting the fundraiser - GrowingUpInScientology & Blown For Good. “Serge is one of the many people Aftermath has helped.”
No comments from the Pre/After-Show where $26,266.00 went.
youtube.com
As a popular YT channel, there’s a lot of superchats given during live streams as well. It isn’t clarified whether those are private or for the foundation.
Below, on the Pre-Show, a GoFundMe is linked to a fundraiser for a new YT SPTV creator.
youtube.com
Below, on the Pre-Show, a GoFundMe is linked to a fundraiser for a new YT SPTV creator.
youtube.com
A large part of SPTV is “Never-In”s, a term for those who were never part of Scientology, but want to be part of the community. One recent guest is Tommy Scoville of The Lifeboat Channel.
I won’t spend too much time on Tommy but…
youtube.com
I won’t spend too much time on Tommy but…
youtube.com
The Lifeboat is a recovery group. Tommy Scoville discusses his struggles with prison & addiction & helps others through the sobriety process. When you click on the PayPal to donate, it provides a different name.
@TheLifeBoat?si=0fpTmChyIHw8PBtc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
@TheLifeBoat?si=0fpTmChyIHw8PBtc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Obviously this is a 🚩 to me. When you search for the name above, his public records show something very different. I won’t get into it here, however, there is a video of “Tommy” snorting…something, on a livestream & falling asleep during a show.
history.santacruzpl.org
history.santacruzpl.org
There are complaints from people independent of the “ex-Scientology” community who have attempted to address these issues for clarification, as well as those in the “ex” community; these questions are framed as “attacks” on behalf of Miscavige.
youtube.com
youtube.com
From my experience, any questions are framed as Office of Special Affairs (OSA) operations against the community. As I understand it, OSA is the Church’s version of the KGB.
Now, I’d like to look at the other SPTV creators regarding transparency of funding. ➡️
Now, I’d like to look at the other SPTV creators regarding transparency of funding. ➡️
The first testimonial listed on Aftermath’s website is Ian Rafalko. A brief biography is listed, with his exit date May 2021, announced on TikTok.
The video included notes his father is ‘Keto Guru Dr. Eric Berg’.
theaftermathfoundation.org
The video included notes his father is ‘Keto Guru Dr. Eric Berg’.
theaftermathfoundation.org
Ian has his own channel, with 15.4K subscribers. He’s been featured on the Jim Jeffries show as well as The Underground Bunker with Tony Ortega.
As shown above:
“The Aftermath Foundation provided Ian with support to ease his transition out of the cult.”
@rafalko_?si=jKmDNis8n5Ej7uLI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
As shown above:
“The Aftermath Foundation provided Ian with support to ease his transition out of the cult.”
@rafalko_?si=jKmDNis8n5Ej7uLI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Here’s where questions arise: Aftermath states they helped/are helping him, but, almost a year ago, a GoFundMe was started under Ian Berg.
Almost halfway to a goal of $15K as of today, I question why Aftermath isn’t stepping up here?
gofundme.com
Almost halfway to a goal of $15K as of today, I question why Aftermath isn’t stepping up here?
gofundme.com
There has been no update in almost a year, despite donations still coming in.
One donation states “Tony Ortega steered you my way. I am 72 yo on fixed income but your needs are great so I'll give what I can. Best to you.”
I hope I don’t need to explain why that’s upsetting.
One donation states “Tony Ortega steered you my way. I am 72 yo on fixed income but your needs are great so I'll give what I can. Best to you.”
I hope I don’t need to explain why that’s upsetting.
I showed Aftermath’s original tax filings w/only 2 board members listed when this inquiry arose about Aftermath helping, because yes: I asked. In response, I was called a piece of sh*t & blocked. He’s since bragged about my YT getting banned & insinuated I’m an anti-semite.
Now, financials aside, I don’t care. The drama is irrelevant to me but I felt the need to include this because I’m aware there’s a possibility someone will attempt to get me banned again.
Next up is Degraded Daughters of Dianetics:
Their channel was created in April of this year and it appears they were first guests on SPTV in late May. The channel has 2 hosts, Vanessa & Elysia. They have 5.5K subscribers.
@DegradedDaughters?si=9UTtazmfCrKuCkTQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Their channel was created in April of this year and it appears they were first guests on SPTV in late May. The channel has 2 hosts, Vanessa & Elysia. They have 5.5K subscribers.
@DegradedDaughters?si=9UTtazmfCrKuCkTQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Shortly after their premier on SPTV, a video was posted of what was assumed to be a PI/paid stalker of the church, harassing Vanessa at her job.
Jeffrey Augustine, PI & spouse of Heber Jentzsch’s former wife, Karen De La Carriere is shown as well.
youtube.com
Jeffrey Augustine, PI & spouse of Heber Jentzsch’s former wife, Karen De La Carriere is shown as well.
youtube.com
In that video, a wishlist for DDD is given. Below is the original list, now deleted w/no update. Questions arose about fencing for a rental property, as well as security items (DDD posted a screen recording showing a front door security app going off).
buymeacoffee.com
buymeacoffee.com
I highlight Jeffrey Augustine’s appearance because 2 days ago, Jeffrey Augustine was asked by a chat member on another SPTV channel ‘Poe On The Go’ about the stalker situation with Degraded Daughters of Dianetics. He declined to comment.
youtube.com
youtube.com
For context: 1 host, Vanessa, commented that I’m a dangerous spreader of misinformation r/t false memory syndrome, the Satanic Panic & speaking harshly about Margaret Singer & Jolly West of the FMSF.
Their community post below is after I reached out:
@DegradedDaughters?si=m0fkq6XrVkMkt5Zc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Their community post below is after I reached out:
@DegradedDaughters?si=m0fkq6XrVkMkt5Zc" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">youtube.com
Now, the post denotes a male (Tony, obviously). I have no proof of what discussions took place between Aaron, he & Vanessa. Vanessa has since deleted these comments where she directs inquiries to known Scientology cut-outs & magazines. My comments remain unanswered.
If you’re here, you know why this is a sore spot for me. As an ex-cult community, I don’t think it’s acceptable to claim discussing SRA/RA is “misinformation”.
This is my opinion, I’ve asked them to refute me, even in private, but have been ignored.
This is my opinion, I’ve asked them to refute me, even in private, but have been ignored.
06/10/23:
A trip to perform a welfare check on Bob Ferris at the Gold Base is posted. Liz Ferris, his daughter, with her partner, Vanessa & Jeffrey.
This is the same Liz Ferris in the GoFundMe from the Serge fundraiser.
youtu.be
A trip to perform a welfare check on Bob Ferris at the Gold Base is posted. Liz Ferris, his daughter, with her partner, Vanessa & Jeffrey.
This is the same Liz Ferris in the GoFundMe from the Serge fundraiser.
youtu.be
I’m not here to dig into specifics of Liz Ferris - I believe the church is a criminal organization & am not stating either side is true or false.
These aren’t scant amounts of money. The fundraiser following this GoFundMe is when I had questions.
gofundme.com
These aren’t scant amounts of money. The fundraiser following this GoFundMe is when I had questions.
gofundme.com
08/12/23: a 10-hour marathon was held to raise funds for “Save Bob Ferris”.
There are two links listed in the video’s description, one to the aforementioned GoFundMe, and one to her personal Venmo.
youtube.com
There are two links listed in the video’s description, one to the aforementioned GoFundMe, and one to her personal Venmo.
youtube.com
The last update states they surpassed their goal of $5,000 with the YT marathon( no specifics) & it’s worth noting @ 3:20:00, people are directed to send money to the QR code or Venmo on the stream. That would bring this to roughly $12,000.
gofundme.com
gofundme.com
The GoFundMe states DDD & ChildrenOfScientology are organizing the fundraiser under SPTV. This community cites Aftermath, GrowingUpInScientology, ExScientologyKids & Hassan’s Freedom Of Mind Resource Center, to name a few.
childrenofscientology.com
childrenofscientology.com
ExScientologyKids is another non-profit (from all appearances) run by Jenna Miscavige-Hill & two other women. The link to donate goes to the PayPal in the screenshot here.
The last campaign listed, Voices In Unison, hasn’t been updated since 10/2012.
exscientologykids.com
The last campaign listed, Voices In Unison, hasn’t been updated since 10/2012.
exscientologykids.com
Jenna Miscavige’s YT channel was announced on 08/24/23 on SPTV’s GrowingUpInScientology. That day, she had 1.37K subs & no videos. Today, 6 days later, she has 11.1K subs & 1 video. No links for ExScientologyKids is currently listed on her channel.
youtube.com
youtube.com
When you search ExScientologyKids, this page includes the link for Jenna’s website. I can find no EIN#, nor any similar non-profit with this name. I don’t know where this site got their numbers from, as I said, but $13.1M in revenue is…a lot.
zoominfo.com
zoominfo.com
This 🧵 is getting rather long and I’ve still got a ways to go, and may not pick right back up on it because the hurricane screwed up my travels. However, I think there’s plenty here to chew on for the moment. Thanks y’all! 🙏🌹🖤
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