The Men of Atalissa | The New York Times

For decades, a group of men with intellectual disabilities seemed happy living in a small Iowa town. Then their neighbors found out the truth. This film is being shown in collaboration with POV.org.
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The Men of Atalissa | The New York Times
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[@cathyschneider2126]

Kenneth Henry acts as though all of us are too intellectually challenged to understand how heinous his behavior was and is. What a slimeball.

[@SecondEvilEx]

Karma will have fun with Kenneth

[@corriblehunt4554]

People who take advantage of people with mental disabilities, are usually only slightly more intelligent than their victims.

[@Sarah.Riedel]

He basically accused them of making up the whole thing. Incredible.

[@marcellinechoisne5627]

we live in a world where the worst is committed in the name of your well-being...

[@marcellinechoisne5627]

@MissGuided Me sure! $$$$$ !!

[@whereverigothereiam3078]

Bless these men. None of them seem bitter at all. But I am bitter for them.

[@thethrowawaythatstayed7055]

Tamarama you put that well. I’m bitter for them too

[@animenerd453]

@@thethrowawaythatstayed7055 You sure you're not just hungry

[@thethrowawaythatstayed7055]

Nabari z starving AND bitter.

[@animenerd453]

@@thethrowawaythatstayed7055 that sucks

[@avamasquerade]

I'm not bitter. I'm justifiably outraged.

[@victoriagiro737]

Wow, the ranch owner straight up called them liars. And he's trying to get them back to the "retirement bunker." Those boys need to stay far away from that snake.

[@dacealksne]

bois

[@TheTechnofu]

that guy is actually STILL trying to make people believe the company did some service for these people by "training" them in something useful (jobs no one would want for reduced income). So many years making people believe they were the good guys when anyone could have offered these workers legitimate training for a better life based on choice and aptitude.

[@victoriagiro737]

@@dacealksne sorry, men... just repeating what he continued to say.

[@lawrencetchen]

How much in kickbacks do you think he was getting?

[@jquinlan]

The bunkhouse has finally been demolished.

[@aroo4177]

The took advantage of 21 men who were mentally disabled. How horrible, they got paid $65.00 a month or .44 cents an hour, horrible and deplorable living conditions, they took advantage of them, from name calling and being punished. Neglect and abuse! "They were helpless" how could they complain they were fearful and scared. God bless them. Mr. Henry should be imprisoned and anyone else involved. Karma! May God have mercy on rhem!

[@caryulmer7063]

Aro O In the early 70's minimum wage in Calif. was only $1.25/hr.

[@delaneyryan6399]

Cary Ulmer but in Iowa in 2009 when they were rescued, the minimum wage was $7.25. Their income didn’t change.

[@DrDIY1]

@@delaneyryan6399 This still occurs. As a medical professional, I get transfers from group homes ALL the time. They are most definitely taken advantage of, neglected, mistreated etc. It's common in fact. There are hundreds of thousands of private group homes. They are in every community. You probably have at least 1 in ur community. They are just regular houses converted to take as MANY MR/DD people as it can. The staff hired does not need any type of certification or license. There are people whos ❤'s are in the right place caring for them and there bad people caring for them. There will always be a bad apple, but no regulation of staff lets ALOT of bad apples in!!! The caregivers take them to the grocery store, and hold the residents $. I have heard a caregiver in front of me at the store tell a resident to buy her a pack of ciggs and she would "pay them back ". I confronted her and as expected was yelled at and told i know nothing of caring for MR/DD people. I politely told her my credentials, wrote her lic plate # and contacted APS😉

[@toddlehman928]

That's assuming they work the standard work. I bet they worked lots of overtime. Lots

[@aimee2014]

Yes thank you. I hope Mr. Henery has nothing but pain and suffering if he's still alive each an everyday

[@joleneswitzer5679]

I am proud to say I worked with the tight-knit dedicated team of human service workers tasked with taking these gentleman in and integrating them into our Waterloo/Cedar Falls Iowa community. It wasn’t easy for anyone, but it was all-hands-on-deck 100% focused on getting them to a safe place physically and emotionally & working towards the independent lives they deserved. We taught them a lot, they taught us more. This is a story worth remembering.

[@renneedwards9826]

Jolene Switzer ...WOW, that’s wonderful! Big thanks to the individuals and YOU that helped them. Wish there were more caring and compassionate people on this planet. 😎✌🏾

[@gateauxq4604]

Thank you.

[@GraceMallory-is-awesome]

Jolene Switzer thank you for helping them ❤️😊

[@benishaugustine23]

Please do an AMA on Reddit!

[@tonia2574]

Jolene Switzer thank you for personally assisting these special men with integrating into a community. They have finally been rescued from slavery and the business owners estates should have to pay the full amount these men earned over 20 years.

[@ralphlivingston894]

Mr Henry has a wonderful ability to rationalize every miserable thing he did. Implying that he did it to help these men… What an awful human being.

[@honeybsweetnectar1713]

Ralph Livingston agreed

[@maddiepace4593]

You didn't know him and either did they so don't talk unless you know

[@gateauxq4604]

It’s the horrifying attitude that came out of the middle of last century. These men would possibly have been locked up in an institution with even worse conditions for the rest of their lives and probably died much younger. At the time Henry started the program it was a kindness he was doing. Sending in those caretakers and never keeping up with social or federal norms is ultimately what he did wrong. I’m not absolving him of any blame but he thinks he did right by them even though he is living with the partially finished retirement building he said he was building for them. I just hope that when he dies all his money goes to the men because it sounds like they will never recieve it while he is alive.

[@manunited3188]

Gateaux Q it doesn’t matter when it started what things were like culturally... this was going on up until 2009. He deserves nothing more than $65/month for the rest of his life.

[@boost1606]

@@maddiepace4593 someones actions are usually a pretty clear indication of their character...

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

So sad and so cruel. I have no patience with folks who abuse the mentally-disabled.

[@AlexMartinez-me2yc]

By 8:15, I heard enough. "Subcontracted". I know EXACTLY what that means. I believe Texas used to "subcontract" all black prisoners as well. It used to be called Slave Labor, until slavery was outlawed.

[@Vic82toire]

Texas has a very dark history.

[@blacknosugarnocream]

Slave labor extracted from prisoners is legal.

[@jhanturandall2519]

That’s why the 13th amendment needs to be amended to abolish slavery

[@Immorpher]

Every corrupt employer blames its employees when they do something wrong...

[@Immorpher]

It seems like trouble easily starts when housing is also supplied by the employer. Seems like there is a lack of checks and balances in such situations.

[@spiritpath6177]

@@Immorpher I hear HORRORS exist in Florida's migrant tomato farming, the migrants are brought here - and then the company makes a profit on every thing they supply them - withholding their pay to cover it - so it become pretty much free labor. going on today - its why I don't eat fake tomatoes out of season!

[@Roughneck8]

@@Immorpher Just like old coal mining towns where you were housed by the company and bought your food at the company store. Everything was the company. Eventually things like the Matewan shootout happen. Well, used to happen when men had spines.

[@lovereadingsnyc]

@@spiritpath6177 for real

[@Aw-ns1qx]

Obviously not comparable to the corruption and tragedies discussed in the video or comments.... But I live in a large for here (240 apartments) appartment complex thats considered the poor place in town. A year after I moved in it was bought by a large company with a pos owner, he's a multi millionaire through his investments. (No problem with his wealth) but the easy he treats the occupants and properties, all about money, we are $ signs to him not people. When I questioned an addendum to my lease for taking back initial agreements when I moved in under the previous owners. I was told "sign it or get out" of my home I have lived in for almost 10 years. Because I cant afford to get a lawyer and it would cost more anyways, I lose $400. I am unable to leave so easily. TRUST ME, I HAVE TRIED. Ot is a crap place to live, especially after the rent has increased over $500 since they bought it but my appartment. I have a 60 lb dog which is not approved of by many places, and the housing issues make it so rent is insane. Again does not compare to the hardships and atrocities others have gone through.

[@DoraLee90]

The women sitting around that table sicken me just as much as Mr. Henry does. For them to say that it’s empty and lonely without the ‘boys’ is freakin’ RICH. They didnt care about the men until someone else discovered what was going on. They weren’t going down to the school house and dropping off cookies or casseroles; showing any kind of real interest that would have lead them to discovering the truth. Now they’re just sitting around, talking about how terrible it was. Exonerating themselves of the guilt that they should be feeling

[@aidanbehrens6518]

I'm trying to give benefit of the doubt. They notice the emptiness and loneliness, because these boys became members of the community. This loneliness then forces them to recognize the terrible crime that brought these boys to Atalissa.

[@janaebrantley1686]

Thank you I was thinking the same thing

[@dbernardo7226]

Solitude in their decaying town and recrimination is what they deserve in Atalissa. Watch the documentary again, look into their manners and eyes.

[@bascal133]

DoraLee Mercurio no no, they were bystanders he was the architect, you have every right to feel how you feel but I don’t think they deserve a 100th the ire he does.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

I'm with DoraLee on this. Those "boys" were active members of the church, it should have been normal to drop by their place with cookies or some-such.

[@whatthebloodyhell2716]

So in a town of 300 you had these guys at church and yet you never visited out there, never took them birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving meals or presents, never had a picnic, never once stuck your head in the building that was obviously not windowed, not ventilated and had no outward signs of community...no benches, no activity areas, for 20 some grown men, not boys? Way to go Iowa small-town white Christians. Way to go.

[@brokengirl8619]

I'm a believer but do not celebrate holidays. Some don't

[@FasterFaster196]

Exactly. Typical small town BS. Do the least and act like it's the most.

[@RazorbackGrasshopper]

Work program was in Texas no?

[@KingofHearts]

“I never eat turkey, I like chicken now”. Brilliant.

[@sunnybunnysky]

Not really.. still just as cruel and violent and causes countless workers PTSD

[@slinkychampion6533]

How selfish does someone have to be to say "We miss them. They were part of the landscape" and not feel so terrible having ignored them for so long in squalor. But instead, say they miss their lawn ornaments. Wow.

[@dannynicastro3207]

Omi B right....thought the same thing. Comparing these men to adornments.

[@StufiBuy]

If you’re going to blame the townspeople, you also have to blame these men’s families. You should always know where your family is staying especially when they have mental disabilities.

[@spiritpath6177]

I agree. These biddies act as though they were so involved with these guys - if that were so - how come they did not call someone to assist them? They blame the police dept and govt entities - well, thankfully, the govt does not routinely invade your living space just to see whats what out of the blue. The men had a right to privacy. The ladies seem to be that same group that exists everywhere - even in Lake Wobegone, the church group of self righteous gossips who don't want to get their hands dirty - yet condemn the efforts of those who do.

[@danfield6030]

Omi B ....your hysterical. over emotional. I don't know what planet your on but these guys were actually a part of the community ! ......wtf ? your statement is totally irrational , .......they never saw the inside of that place. You may mean well but your emotions are misdirected or something ....we don't need so much hate in our lives. go have a nap or get a "Happy Meal" or something

[@animenerd453]

@@danfield6030 Relax it's just the ramblings of a girl hitting the wall.

[@shawnhoffman7120]

I worked for a non profit that cared for some of these men, i actually worked with one of the men shown here (John). He's seriously the nicest guy you'd ever meet, he enjoys playing guitar at church and karaoke.

[@debbieomi]

Do you realize you are breaking privacy laws by naming a client?

[@shawnhoffman7120]

@@debbieomi You know, i was thinking about that before i posted, but then realized they name him in the documentary, name the company that he's with and just generally give all the same information here that would seemingly violate HIPAA. I had typed a more vague version but realized in this case it was pointless. Also, just to clarify, i no longer work with him, the non profit organization or that field of work. I appreciate the concern though. After the information shared in this documentary, the information that he enjoys his hobbies did not seem to constitute concern.

[@anaimhoff992]

Why are you calling me

[@anaimhoff992]

Gracias❤

[@funbranditoo4763]

Love your response!

[@luchalew2884]

Kenneth Henry needs to be in prison.

[@shawneevee7490]

Kenneth Johnson should live his retirement in the conditions he made his ‘employees’ live in.

[@susievarnado2142]

Shawna Varganyi Their not employees or boys. Modern day slaves and gentlemen!

[@Loveroffood41]

Completely and utterly agreed and also make him do the work that these guys did

[@kaned5543]

Stop. Calling. Them. Boys!! They are grown men, they deserve respect as adult men. Smh

[@animenerd453]

They fed their community. Their heroes in my book

[@BobHoss4]

Its just a thing southerners do no need to get too riled

[@alysiamerdavid-wasser9165]

@@BobHoss4 Atalissa is in IOWA. It's an 8 hour drive to the Canadian border. smh...

[@missesvee5132]

Take a pill...calm down . It's as if it is soooo insulting. To. The. Public . I'm sure they do not feel disrespected at all. As you can see, all the people who talked about them in this video were emotional .This little community took these young men, ( one as young as 11 ) under their wings knowing that they were mentally challenged and basically without family. To the community, they were THEIR BOYS and will always be their Atalissa boys. I find it touching that they were and still are their boys. It makes them special ! 💕💚💙💛💜

[@missesvee5132]

Philly Neon creepy......🤔 can you read or maybe can you understand what you read would be the right question here. If the answer is yes, then I suggest STRONGLY 🙄 that you also take your pill, sit calmly somewhere where you will not be disturbed or distracted and read the commentS once again. Then if you have something to say that's RELATED to what I said, come back to share . 🖖🏻

[@SlendysWatchingMe]

Not-so-friendly reminder that this is fully legal to this day. They got done in for extreme mistreatment in the men's living situation, not financial exploitation or, essentially, the use of disabled people as slave labor. A fair, balanced budget under a fair tax system could easily accommodate safe, positive group homes and work programs free of abuse and exploitation, but only if change happens in congress and at the state and municipal levels. So, VOTE! All the way down the ballot in every election available to you!

[@indigoesagain]

Yup - current law allows employers to pay as little as $1 per hour, or less, to workers with disabilities if they can't perform a job as well as a person who is not disabled.

[@latintrader]

People in Texas are just plain stupid as they will always vote for republicans against their own self interests.

[@mksabourinable]

@@indigoesagain And employers will often do everything they can to make a case that a disabled employee can't work as well as an abled one.

[@indigoesagain]

@@mksabourinable of course!

[@digibotdotcom]

@@latintrader Yep.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

I trust there is a special place in hell for anyone who abuses the mentally challenged. And when its someone who talks about God and Christianity it saddens me even more.

[@bbslimecity4244]

Beth, I agree. I find myself falling on the sides of employers during most labor disputes, but physically abusing mentally less abled individuals is one of the most disgusting behaviors that can be perpetrated.

[@robbynsmith7820]

Lebo leigh Leigh She was in support of these men.

[@joelonsdale]

Again and again we are reminded that morality is not derived from god.

[@Trund27]

@@joelonsdale Perfectly and succinctly stated. It’s a pathetic myth that you can only be moral if you are religious. It’s BS.

[@silaslizzie43]

@Lebo leigh Leigh Instead of being self-righteous, how about you suggest something useful?

[@Infinite-888]

After a lifetime of being taken advantage of and abused, how dare he keep referring to these grown men as "boys" .... so disrespectful! It doesn't matter that they're mentally challenged .... they are grown men and deserve to be respected, treated, spoken to and about AS MEN.

[@dannytonnessen6896]

As a disabled woman I honestly believe a lot of these work programs start with the best intentions and then staff changes over time lead to less caring and less caring staff! I really hope that the community decides to use that building to HELP disabled people, rather than just tearing down the building!

[@debbieomi]

I agree. Turn over is extremely high in the industry. Working with develpmentally challenged people is incredibly difficult and it truly is a special person who can do it especially for many years.

[@conorlarkin7135]

Agreed. that’s why strict oversight is so important, a good situation can rapidly devolve into something ugly when no one is watching to make sure the rules are followed

[@cyclos12]

We must remain vigilant, this could be occuring in our communities. Keep an eye out.

[@dbernardo7226]

Less than 110,000 people have seen this documentary … community is becoming a foreign concept in the USA, our people are too immerse in themselves … if 3 people have their lives changed by listening to these gentle souls, then we have a triumph, we cannot expect much any longer.

[@cynthiaettinger9730]

Not to mention retirement homes and elder abuse in US as well. It’s horrifying, all of it.

[@mksabourinable]

It probably is considering that it's legal in almost every state to pay disabled people slave wages like they were paid 🤷‍♂️

[@reneebrady8389]

Such a powerful reminder to try to remain aware. The saddest takeaway from this is that while this story is heartbreaking, it is in no way isolated or even as bad as some other cases. Thank you for bringing these stories to light.

[@sleepyearth]

I think the takeaway is for people to interfere when possible. I reckon some of the townpeople either don't care or already had a hint of what's going on. No way for a company to do this without any employees or bosses not knowing anything about it. P.s. It's hard to hear all the BS from the ex-owner.... There is no justice.

[@reneebrady8389]

off-kilter I agree wholeheartedly with you, people should report anything that seems "off". Sadly we often do not notice that there is anything wrong within our own community... What saddens me with this particular report was that none of these gentlemen seemed to have family that looked out for them. Only one sister noticed that, after working so many years, hee brother had no money saved towards retirement.. Call me jaded, but I almost feel like she only cared because she was looking for that money for selfish reasons. I may be wrong, but really, no family ever checked up on these guys? It only came to light after a family member was checking for saved money... Ugh, so sad but again, not uncommon 😢 And OMG, yes I hated the guy on his porch try to weasel his way out to appear to be the "good guy" 😬

[@pamelaworley4122]

It seems like those plant owners got free labor. They ought to be ashamed of themselves taking advantage of someone who they knew were mentally disabled. And by some of them not having families it just made it easier for them to do this. May God be with these precious men.

[@mileswrich]

The plant owners, first Louis Rich Foods, then Oscar Mayer, and then West Liberty Foods paid Henry's turkey service. Henry's Turkey Service was not used because it was cheaper than paying workers wages plus benefits, there was a real labor shortage, and Henry's conned the owners of the Plant just like they conned everyone else. I know that to be a fact, I was there in 1974 when Henry's first arrived.

[@elizabethclover4]

As horrible as this whole situation was/is...... just to see how happy they were, that first night that they were 'liberated'......... made me want to hug each and every one of them and bring them home with me. How could anyone take such cruel and inhumane advantage of these beautiful men? 😢

[@perlitaperli5631]

Very sad and totally despicable business arrangements.

[@gregfuzi1069]

Slave labor still lives. Look how people are treated. And the people who do it to them get away with it all the time . The court system is broken.

[@markrushton63]

So tragic. Man's Inhumanity to his Fellow Man...Such a Shame. Thank you for Sharing this Story.

[@suzykydd9206]

This is such a sad story!! I wonder if they ever got their money and being honest it should have been a whole lot more than $50,000 for what they went through. Poor men

[@joleneswitzer5679]

Suzy Kydd I honestly don’t believe they will. Henry’s covered their tracks & muddied the waters every step of the way.

[@anaimhoff992]

They killed Salvador people the same way

[@mksabourinable]

Also it's legal in all but one or two states to pay disabled people $1 or less an hour.

[@spinningsage7727]

They need a GoFundMe account

[@JPlovesmusic]

That guy is still trying to argue the best place for those men is with him?! What?! And how are those two manager people not in jail?!

[@synckid]

Wow the smiles on those gentleman in the old pictures breaks my heart

[@claudettes9697]

There are pay exemptions for handicapped people, Goodwill Industries takes advantage of it liberally, where they can legally be paid way below federal minimum wage. It's very sad, and very legal.

[@claudettes9697]

FWAJR The argument was that it gives them purpose and the employers were helping them, and that's why they got the break, I think. Truth being that it's inhumane, and causes financial stress. I would love to work w these fellas.

[@Tracymmo]

I appreciate the nonprofits that pay workers with disabilities at least minimum wage.

[@hopehopehopehope3747]

As a former employee Of Goodwill and working as a direct care staff, people do not understand the extent of care/staff/documentation it takes to oversight their work. Many people with disabilities have one on one staff as well as a care taker. They receive a low wage, but they also have their health care and government funding to house them and take care of their needs. This particular story is very sad, but I wouldn’t lump Goodwill and other organizations into this category

[@reason5591]

The man that is the head of Goodwill makes an astronomical annual imcome. It is obscene! I do not donate to Goodwill or buy from them, and I have convinced others to follow suit. People have no idea and then when they are enlightened they are angered and stop benefitting Goodwill. Its shameful how Goodwill resells things donated to them, then treat their challenged employees like yesterdays trash.

[@hopehopehopehope3747]

m norton buswell In theory, it sounds great to just allow a person with disabilities to pick who they want to work with. In real life, it’s a lot more complicated. Extensive background checks have to be done to minimize sexual and physical abuse from people taking advantage of them. Goodwill has rules, regulations, and are required to make sure safety of each person is a top priority. Look at the statistics of abuse of disabled people. So while options maybe limited in who “helps” you, at least you can be comforted in the fact that the likelihood of abuse is decreased. Ps...rights are taken seriously and if a new caretaker is requested by the client or guardian, by law they must abide by the request.

[@toynazi]

I delivered a massive motor to a chicken processing plant in Maryland years ago and it was a horrible sight. As soon as I pulled into the area where they needed it, I saw feathers floating all over the place. The smell was like nothing I've ever smelled before. One of the guys wanted to give me a tour and show me how it all worked. I passed, and got out of there as fast as I could. I feel for these guys. They were done so wrong.

[@yikesu3587]

Do remember what part? I think I have a feeling which one ur speaking of (Catonsville plant?)

[@sunnybunnysky]

Do you eat meat? because that's what meat supports.

[@stacynels4]

Did you report what you saw heard smelled to anyone at anytime?

[@marcellinechoisne5627]

This sort of persons are like sort of angels...always happy, smiling,never complaining...Im so happy toknow they are free now...how many Atalissa in usa ,without a brave woman, fighting for their rights...i love you Atallissa "Boys"!

[@MrH4R0]

This is so heartbreaking I am so glad they got help when they did.

[@maddiepace4593]

They didn't need help

[@renneedwards9826]

Maddie Pace ...WTF??? Are you serious??? Please elaborate. We would love to find out your excuse and deflection of the disabled men being mistreated and mislead. 🤨

[@billtharp3374]

From West Liberty, even went to the Christmas parties there when I was a kid in the late 70s, early to mid 80s. What is largely missing from this video and report is an important fact: Reports of abuse, financial mismanagement, and other irregularities WERE REPORTED back then, beginning in the 70s, and constantly to the State of Iowa to the regulatory body charged with (and their employees' salaries paid for) watching over the situation of these men. Their constant, more than annual reports, were ignored. Terry Branstad was the governor. He received some campaign contributions from a Texas company. Don't let your emotions take over your ability to think, great thinkers and enlightened men and women of the East Coast. This was known by the agency up to the Governor, and nothing was done. Changes started with a change in administration and a change in the company's legal status when it went from "Louis Rich" to "West Liberty Foods" (a completely new organization with new ownership) around 2000-2010. WLF should be applauded for taking action and opening everything they could see from the records that remained as soon as they could. As for being incredulous that others in a town of less than 500 people wouldn't notice, you would need to know that the old schoolhouse is at the edge of town with a lot of space around it. Haven't there been stories of COUNTLESS criminals (enough to be an industry) holding women and children for human trafficking in CITIES, where after discovered, neighbors were shocked? It is the same reports of, "I had no idea." Why don't some of these people get the same understanding? Not the bad actors, but do you really think their pastor and congregation would allow this if they knew? Please, think rationally. Privacy is seen as a commodity in many places. It was a convergence of bad corporate actors causing tragedy and a husband and wife that acted without conscience as independent contractors for the Texas entity as the people on the ground in Iowa. Do you really think the people of this town would not have stood firm with a group of men they lived with, and many were Brothers in Christ, if they knew about their being financially and physically injured that severely? People from Atalissa did not make money off of this. People in Texas did. As for the term "boys", it started in the 70s when they arrived, where terms like "boys of summer" existed and, more to the point, many generations of a family living in a small area around here can lead to the term "the (insert family last name here) Boys" for the men in the family. Not pejorative. You would be one of the family boys in this area for a lifetime - it is a rural thing because it included the older men and male children, the norm for doing farm work back then. Not right or wrong - that's just how it was and still is. 99% of the people being called "boys" are white men under and around 40 or 45 years of age around here. I'm no apologist. Just adding facts responsibly. Look it up and investigate it yourself - you shouldn't believe everything you hear without doing your own investigation. But that would require time, whereas just a nasty comment on social media makes so many lost people satisfied. No one will read this, although factual, if it doesn't state that the viewpoint agrees with their preconceptions within the first two sentences. If you actually read this far, please either like it or dislike it - doesn't matter - but it will give reassurance that some people out there still have an attention span. Thank you to those - you will be our hope for the future.

[@jasmineshelton759]

@@renneedwards9826 don't worry Maddie is just trolling you. These people live to upset those on tree internet because and they're real life they lack the attention that they so desperately crave.

[@femmanina]

The saddest story of abuse towards innocent beings.

[@dannynicastro3207]

Janina Fisher saddest part of this is seeing the cages of the turkeys stacked up and crammed with so many birds that the poor things cannot move a centimeter or shake a feather... these animals that ALL OF US USE are the real innocents of every one of these stories....every tale, all of the time.

[@jiwankaur3287]

Not sure which is worse the people who abused these men or the people who did nothing to stop it.the church it says was empty when the men left , didn't the parishioners or priests ever ask any questions about how these people where being treated? The church could have helped long ago.May God bless these men and those that care for them.

[@Tracymmo]

Sounds like there were no outward signs. Have you checked on all the people in your neighborhood to see that no one is being abused?

[@mkeller7881]

There were signs. They chose to ignore them. These guys were not locked up in a cage, they were part of the community. They shopped in the stores, went to the churches. Why did no one ever wonder why they never had any money to spend considering they all knew they were working long hours? They all knew they were intellectually disabled, why didn't they question why their hygiene was so poor? The book goes into this extensively. They knew.

[@ronaldpetrin5823]

So true. The bunkhouse people were failed by their own congregation.

[@mkeller7881]

@Brenda Shaver Maybe you should live and work with them, talk to them, and read the actual book. They had money for chips or a soda, but nothing else and never had new clothes. Local people bought them second hand clothes. This was a local story for ya good while before the NY Times covered it.

[@mkeller7881]

@Brenda Shaver Sorry if I sounded harsh. But these guys really did deserve better and my son is developmentally disabled, and I could see how this could happen to him once I'm gone.

[@JustMe-cl4qc]

Disabled adults in Kentucky are treated much the same with the exception of decent housing, physical abuse or so I hope. They work in fields 4hrs daily lunch then 4hrs in a hot house for "training" aka preparing the next crop or seasonal flowers to be sold. They receive 10 a week. When there's a storm they are taken out to clean up the town. The owner and his wife are paid 100,000 annually. When does slavery end?

[@FasterFaster196]

Where is this? Report it.

[@iavagabond124]

the things that happen in your own state that you never even know about. just found this today, Atalissa is almost 3 hours away from where I live in Mason City, Iowa. it's crazy and sad

[@maddiepace4593]

Sooo surprising how close im close to its right up the street from my house

[@shellybee9322]

Shame on you Mr.Henry, shame on you!

[@sharroon7574]

Would like to hear the owner say how sorry he is instead of making excuses.

[@avamasquerade]

Why does everyone ignore the whole "making it right" part of an apology?

[@spinningsage7727]

@@avamasquerade he still claims they made it up...he has no shame or sympathy

[@schroedermatt]

Wow! I'm from Muscatine and never heard this story. I haven't lived there in 20 years. I sent this link to all my family. It's a heart breaking story. I hope The Men of Atalissa get a huge settlement! Somehow, I think they will continue to get screwed by our messed up system that allows the rich and powerful to take advantage of the poor and even the mentally challenged.

[@maddiepace4593]

I live in atalissa and new the guy that suposbaly "abused" them

[@mkeller7881]

I knew about it because I have a son who used EPI services in Waterloo, where the men are now and some of them come to the center. The book, Boys in the Bunkhouse is excellent.

[@KT-kd4zt]

supposedly

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Where their clothes clean or filthy? How did the community really interact with those men? Why weren't they taken care of by their church? Are those "caretakers" under investigation? They were "a local couple" - how didn't anyone know their stance on "the boys"? This documentary leaves many of the most important questions open, right?

[@Shazzyhtown]

Exactly. A big hole is missing in this story. Considering the state of the farmhouse, how could their clothes have clean?

[@kenlord7262]

Instead of tearing down the "bunkhouse" have Mr Henry stay there and work long shifts gutting thousands of chickens daily. Then when he complains just say he "lies"

[@Tiffany_C_]

Me Too the difference is most people actually get paid a living wage....

[@thepitpatrol]

The turkey gobble was amazing.

[@mrchubbyfella9421]

Shame on that whole town !!! That whole town owes those poor men a lifetime of happiness

[@JLMorsen]

Heartbreaking....I can't STAND a Bully. If you have to keep others down or harass them, it's because you are Weak yourself...

[@dbernardo7226]

Since I can remember, communities are made up of people that look and think like "us" … We are an "Equal, but Happily Separate" set of communities, in the USA. Voting is not enough … I have no answers, I just know we are more selfish and insulated from each other, until there is a holiday or major tragedy … remember, gaining lots of money is an addiction.

[@latintrader]

Donald Trump fits this description.

[@julinao1927]

Oh my God when I hear them saying they had nothing to do with it blablabla it's the same people say when they "hear" that a child was abused next to where they live

[@jennyhughes4474]

So many people with intellectual disabilities have been and still are abused = heartbreaking and unforgivable cruelty. No criminal charges brought against those who took advantage of these very vulnerable people for SO long = why NOT?

[@mkhilario]

Excellent work. Amazing cinematography.

[@carrueross2705]

Wow. Eyes wide shut in the middle of the prairie. Shameful.

[@SKULLKR3W]

its insane how long this went on and how recent this was

[@spinningsage7727]

There are enslaved people in a lot of places you wouldn't expect...even now today

[@spinningsage7727]

@Me Too it is still crazy to realize the duration of it. They aren't wrong in their statement.

[@sparx180]

Omg cases like this happened in the early 1900's, I think. Unbelievable that a couple would do something this horrendous to these poor men. At least they seem much happier now and I am thankful for that.

[@XpurlX]

Slave labor, Henry is a monster!

[@jantruitt9241]

Man’s inhumanity to man! 😢😢😢😢😢 The rich get richer and the poor get poorer! 😢😢😢😭

[@themlgskatr559]

Whoever gave it a thumbs down must be people associated with the supervision of the turkey service 😡

[@maddiepace4593]

I gave it a thumbs down

[@Nicene325ad]

The townspeople, in hindsight, are concerned enough to tear the group home down (for their own benefit). However, they didn't care enough for the men to help them during those years of abuse and slave labor. The townspeople may not be legally guilty of committing the same crimes against those men as the Turkey processing plant owners, but in my mind they are morally culpable. It's the usual "It ain't none of my goodly Christian business" small town type of mentality that is the problem.

[@lehanjones242]

I was under the impression they weren't aware of the goings on inside the schoolhouse .

[@Nicene325ad]

@@lehanjones242 The documentary paints only part of the picture. There's no way those men lived there for decades without the townspeople learning about the problems they experienced; they turned a blind eye to it all. It's the typical small town mentality in this country, especially found in red states.

[@Nightbird.]

Thanks to all the commenters here who warned this was a sad story. It stopped me from watching it and getting depressed today. I'll watch it some other time..when I stomach a sad story. =/

[@hemoglobininspector4749]

Nightbird it's been 3 years, u ready to see it now, pussyboy?

[@phosda]

inability to stomach a sad story is precisely what allows them to happen.

[@JeantheSecond]

phosda Shut up. You don’t know what Nightbird has to deal with. I was visiting Chicago and wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum, but I knew it wasn’t a good time, because I was having a bad time with my depression. I am not the type of person to turn a blind eye. When it comes to protecting people, there is never a time you can let it slide regardless of how you fell, but when it comes to watching a documentary of people whose situation I can’t change because it’s in the past, it my obligation to myself to put my mental health first. And you have no right to say anything about it.

[@sweetpea102]

Truly disgusting...trying to defend their horror of actions on these innocent souls. The State should be doing everything to get them their hard earned money, that they worked years for. My prayers and fight are with you Men of Strength. God bless you all, you are hero's to me🕊🕊🕊

[@mouija1450]

The company owner actually looks like a western movie villain, or a character from the show Dallas. If he tried to sell me meat products, I would decline because he just looks like an evil-doer.

[@rundownthriftstore]

“Uncle Sam I can’t afford to free my slaves because I’m a small business” Decent people hate this one simple trick!!!!

[@gillesmatheronpro]

What can you wish those men but to love and be loved ? They're worth much more than their exploiters wanted them to feel like. They're great persons, with more courage than most of us have or display. I admire them for never complaining, nor surrendering.

[@insertclevername4123]

Atalissa: A town where no-one has ever stopped to think "maybe I shouldn't say that."

[@susandaniels9733]

Towns that lived near the concentration camps in Nazi Germany had that same excuse,"we didn't know".

[@91kermit]

The whole town is guilty.

[@comebreakthiswall]

Exactly . it rips my soul apart those poor souls . that town should burn alive in fire .

[@mendypeters8489]

U know what I just realized from this this epsiode.. *People like people that are like them* , the towns people felt theydid nothing wrong but the truth is, If they truly liked and care for the boys _which now in retrospec they realize how much they mattered_ they would have looked a bit closer and see. *Just like the way those ladies gathered at each others houses and talk, just talk about stuff* if they had befriended them ( TRUELY) they would have opened up *The towns people just saw them as humna shells there to add space and perpetuate a facade of liveliness*

[@jeangreenfield5993]

Seeing them dressed as clowns ....!! Horrific .

[@ryang.2356]

How?

[@kevinator41]

Its a shame the there are not more documentaries like this to come out of Amarica . Very compassionate and emotional . Well done The New York Times .

[@DrDIY1]

This still occurs. As a medical professional, I get transfers from group homes ALL the time. They are most definitely taken advantage of, neglected, mistreated etc. It's common in fact. There are hundreds of thousands of private group homes. They are in every community. You probably have at least 1 in ur community. They are just regular houses converted to take as MANY MR/DD people as it can. The staff hired does not need any type of certification or license. There are people whos ❤'s are in the right place caring for them and there bad people caring for them. There will always be a bad apple, but no regulation of staff lets ALOT of bad apples in!!! The caregivers take them to the grocery store, and hold the residents $. I have heard a caregiver in front of me at the store tell a resident to buy her a pack of ciggs and she would "pay them back ". I confronted her and as expected was yelled at and told i know nothing of caring for MR/DD people. I politely told her my credentials, wrote her lic plate # and contacted APS😉 Pay attention everyone-call the appropriate services if you suspect mistreatment!!!!

[@myimperfectlife2023]

Uhg😡 I've worked in a few different group homes....I'm sure worse has happened than what you described. One of the group homes I worked a staff member had s*x with a very impaired resident & all she got was fired. Most of the homes I worked in where old,dirty and broken and nobody cared.😞 I couldn't stomach the way things where done so I can't work in that line of work anymore.

[@truecrimerip7936]

the townspeople knew all along that these men where used and now they all want to clean their images by saying "they didnt know". i think they just didnt care.

[@wlmason73]

I'm truly shocked! A business exploited a group of vulnerable individuals, swearing they had the best of intentions, and blames their (untrained/unlicensed) support staff for any abuse. That's if the whole thing isn't just a matter of one bad apple telling a lie that the others are simply too dim to realize isn't truth, of course. So what's his excuse for them only being paid $0.65/hour?

[@perlitaperli5631]

It was 44¢ an hour, $65 a month. Just as bad as Goodwill pays some of it's disabled contracted employees. smh

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

+perli beau The Salvation Army doesn't pay their people at all. But I've yet to hear them complain about it. They feed them well, give them a place to sleep and they give them nice clothes. I know the one in Chicago on Clyborn has several vacancies. I was told some guys leave because of things like not being allowed to have a cell phone right away, and they tend to go back. I do think I'd the goal is independence for them, then they should help them financially. Once they can get a job outside, I hear the rentals are about 800 a month, I seem to remember.

[@perlitaperli5631]

Michelle M​ The Salvation Army shelter in Tucson, AZ was very basic. I was lucky to even get in. They offered very little back in the late 1990's. It was a place to "sh*t, shower and sleep". They didn't have much to offer back then. I was lucky to get outta there quickly because I had a car, but I had to go to different agencies for gas help, clothes and toiletries. The only thing they helped with was a deposit on an unfurnished apartment and I was grateful. There are always waiting list here no matter the shelter, no matter the season. We have a large transient, homeless SMI and undocumented persons population in the AZ so many people in need of help. Tucson is a nice city, but it can be hard to make a living and our city government caters to retirees, UofA community and resort lifestyles. I wish the snowbird/retiree population wasn't so big, but they bring in money. Just don't like their bigoted attitudes or Midwest politics they constantly preach or try to put on the ballot. Truly hope Salvation Army and other orgs. help homeless and disadvantage better than when I was in need. Heaven help us all. 

[@vanessaarias-herrera6553]

I could only stomach this disgusting story halfway. These abused MEN deserve so much more than what we can offer.

[@ocampomarie18]

Those 3 ladies ex mayor guy the church they never really cared! Hypocrite! Shame on u!

[@dbernardo7226]

Our communities have been made up of people that look and act like "us" … It is the way we have been for since I have memory … I have no answers how to change this mindset.

[@andrewgrandma2816]

The mayor knew, as the idea was to replace the migrant workers that they no longer were getting to exploit so they needed a new group to exploit.

[@samanthajustus7983]

Everyone failed these men.

[@hollygolightly649]

My heart breaks for these poor men. I will never understand how anyone can abuse the vulnerable like this.

[@DrewWasMe]

The old story of "no one knew". Enough said. God bless the people from the town who helped them. The others have to live with their foreknowledge and negligence.

[@kummakummakummakummakummac8606]

Everyone turns a blind eye until the story comes out. Then they all want to talk about how disgusted they are. Exactly like all the Hollywood actresses and actors in the me too scandal.

[@brettschip]

I don't think the group of boring old ladies had very much to contribute to this story, though I'm very sure they were excited to be involved.

[@f8ofk8]

They just illustrate how average Americans can cruise through their lives insulated from the suffering of others.

[@imalimabeanyay]

Katherine Nelson why are YOU like that?

[@dbernardo7226]

Since I can remember, communities are made up of people that look and think like "us" … We are an "Equal, but Happily Separate" set of communities, in the USA.

[@bascal133]

💅🏾

[@ronaldpetrin5823]

Yeah all after the fact they are involved. Broken promises lead to profit motivated nursing homes only to get their retirement benefits. Taken advantage of all their life. Now are in nursing homes. Institutions sheriffs government failed these residents working for Henry's. Probably gave money to politicians to look the other way, good old boy mentality.

[@madreep]

I spent 13 years as a skills trainer for people who came out of the Fairview training center which was the state institution in Salem, OR. I, like most others had no experience when I started. But I grew to love what I did and I loved my "guys". Some were ladies but I always refer to them as my guys because I don't like using residents or clients to describe them. They're people. People who have needs, wants, and desires just like everyone else. They have feelings. They understand, even if it's a different way of understanding. I became good at my job when I started talking to them instead of at them and listening. I saw people open up and voice their opinions. I saw people begin to date and have relationships. I saw their lives change for the better. One of my guys even insisted on going to the courthouse when he was summoned for jury duty. He didn't get selected of course, but he was incredibly excited anyways. When I started out it was just a job. An easy job to get me by while I was in college. But when I finished my education I remained right where I was. I was doing what I loved. My methods were different than what the state prescribed. My bosses were often counseling me because of some sort of infraction. I treated all my guys like friends and family. I did not maintain professional distance. I feel that if you are always guarded then you cannot provide the best level of care. I loved my guys and I still maintain relationships with many. I had to stop working when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. And since then my son has been diagnosed with a developmental delay. It was devastating to hear but I think God placed that career in my path to know that my son can live a full and happy life. He's currently struggling through high school with an eye on college. I will attend every class with him if necessary. He wants to get married and have children. He wants to live independently. And I will make sure he can do everything his heart desires.

[@Bryanbolden26]

Just finding out this was my dads brother! RIP Wille Levi

[@someothergrl16]

I’ve seen disabled people like this walking down the street together. I assume it’s during the time they are allotted to get out of their group home. I rarely see anyone address them, people usually make an effort to avoid any kind of contact with them. It really is a shame because some of the gentlest, kindest, most loyal people I have ever met have a mental disability, so others are missing out on a great experience.

[@jackharris4239]

I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life and had no idea

[@joleneswitzer5679]

Chuck Boris That’ll happen.

[@maddiepace4593]

I've lived in atalissa my whole life

[@lesliesmith5797]

It’s a crime of course the way these men were mistreated. It’s heartbreaking, but listening to them, and seeing them, they all have a smile and they don’t seem to be bitter. I hope all of them have much happier lives now, they certainly deserve it. 🌸🦋

[@bethroesch2156]

This is just heartbreaking. I don't blame the town. I live in town about that size and given the same circumstances, no one here would interfere unless they saw something. The people who made all the money and the ones who abused them should be charged and made to pay for their retirement. But these gentlemen are some inspiring people. Instead of dwelling in the past, they are charging forward and living their lives.

[@WonderMagician]

For profit driven cruelty...the American Way?

[@NxDoyle]

I'm afraid that this speaks to a range of fundamental problems in America. A balance needs to be struck between individual success and the collective responsibility to ensure that people don't fall through the cracks. But whenever you mention our responsibility as a society to take care of those who can't fully take care of themselves, it acts as an unintentional whistle for those who believe that nothing should be invested in the poor and vulnerable. America's frontier mentality still exists, and is writ large in its choice of leader.

[@WallyTony]

This is one of the most amazing pieces I've ever watched.

[@thedarkhorse100]

I’m so happy they were rescued, what a sad world we live in where money is more important Than people

[@harpguy1]

Kenneth Henry makes me sick claiming to want to have them at his retirement home ,,, what so they could be abused for the rest of their lives ?? To attempt to put the blame on his employees when they were under his direction is ludicrous & I bet he never ever set foot in that bunkhouse. The original settlement should have been enforced & Kenneth Henry should die in poverty on the streets stripped of all assets for life or better yet should serve a life sentence in the penitentiary. Both the state & federal agencies are equally responsible for a lack of oversight resulting in both the abuse & the financial theft of wages due to these men. The reduction of the lawsuit amount to a paltry $50,000 per man also speaks to a state of lawlessness on the part of wealthy business owners while at the same time does not hold state & federal agencies to task. This was state collusion in the slavery of the mentally disabled for private profit & Kenneth Henry is no better than the slave masters of the deep south with the only difference is the industry cotton or turkey processing. Not one man has received a dime yet is a continuing form of victimization of the disabled though they should be protected from further victimization from those that would illegally profit as trustees of that settlement.

[@judyorourke2410]

I'm just seeing this video in August 2020, and first hearing this story. Guess it's too late, but I feel it might have been constructive to turn the "schoolhouse" into a museum and learning center.

[@janefromtennessee]

The whole town should have known. The men weren't allowed to go to the quick Mart. It's a horrible town. Nothing good can be said about the townspeople and the pastor or priest.

[@Kaigirl27]

Some people are just cruel 😭

[@delacruize2023]

Humans can be such a disappointment 🥺

[@CMNance]

This is so appalling and so disgraceful how do you treat the disabled this way? You are such wretched miserable people for such a disgrace. This is insane.

[@jaylew8408]

Ultimately these "dogooders" were trying to live like their great grand pappys and have very cheap labor.

[@feltongailey8987]

Fantastic doc. Adept and in depth reporting. THIS is what I sincerely wish I could find more of on KZbin. This was, unfortunately, more of the rule and not the exception when dealing with the mentally and physically handicapped for many decades. I am uncertain of whether some of this inhumanity is still going on in this country. I am certain that it does still go on in many 3rd world and emerging economies, sadly. My thoughts and my prayers with these men and the countless men and women worldwide who are contending with this treatment today.

[@colemarie9262]

This was in 2009! That shocked me to hear the date they were "rescued" so to speak. This absolutely still goes on in this country and is still LEGAL to do to disabled people. They were only taken away because the neglect was so bad, but the working and pay conditions are unfortunately still legal.

[@jcvr732]

Nobody mentions the cruel family that abandon tbem

[@rachelmenefee]

It is more complicated than that. Some family members may have tried to find/contact them with no success. The government continues to wrangle children away from the less affluent biological families and put them into foster care and change their name, their whole identity, and many times send them off to other states. It is a systematic evil that violates the individual and family.

[@erikcarlsen]

bunch of old hens around the table makes me sick.

[@Ms13mimi]

Not one of those women called any of those men by name. I doubt they really cared that much about them. Anything for some camera time.

[@menufrog]

What a community to be a part of, I'm so thankful that these men escaped

[@Lisa-zz5si]

An incredible story, lesson. IQ is not what makes a person's worth. May guilt lay heavy on that town until it redeems itself.