Renaissance Child Visitation Services

in my experience i found that not only was Merrry helpful but also Carol and the many other staff members that helped with my case.

Merry was an amazing woman and without her help i probably would be struggling with my ex still. She was very kind to my children and was always very courteous to both me and my mother who also came into the visits with me. The children are the of the very frist priority.

Carol is such a passionate woman about her work. She always knows how to put a smile on the childrens faces and make them laugh. I really realy appreciate all the help that these wonderful ladies have given me and my two children.

I would reccomened one thing though. 99.99% of their case load is based on the lies and manipulations of the other parent. in other words paretal alienation. so few times is one parent perfect. So my advice is not to lie about the other parent or say bad things about the parent in front of the children. Merry is very good at spotting a lies so dont even try it.

P.S

I notice alot of lies and many other things that i am certain would NEVER EVER happen i such an enviorment. Please dont fall the slandering of such good people.

Posted 12/28/09 | Report Abuse

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As a father who has been victimized by my ex-wife through the legal system; Renaissance was a God send... Merry, Carol and their staff are completely professional and are interested only in the children and what is best for them. If you have had a bad experience with them, in my experience, you are the one with the problem. We have also used Will Win visitation, and I find the services roughly the same. Both staffs are professional and both are most interested in the child... However, Merry and Carol can be like "Momma Bears" to protect the children in their care.

Renaissance and their staff sides with the kids; due to their fierce advocacy for the children they supervise, they make few friends; if you cross the lines that they or the courts set, you will know it. They don't take orders from the adult parties involved -- their instructions come from the court orders and they will follow them to the letter; when you have your intake, their rules are clearly explained. Cross either of these lines, and you become part of the problem. They take no bulls%^t from either party (the custodian or the visitors) and this is frequently upsetting to the "adult" parties involved.

In general, follow the rules, don't play games, and don't try to use the kids in your disputes with the other party and you will have a great experience with Renaissance. On the other hand, if the kids become pawns in your fights with the other parent/guardian, or you are playing games... watch out because you will quickly find yourself in an uncomfortable situation -- which is how it should be.

Given the choice between Renaissance and Will Win, I would choose Renaissance; for the intensity of their advocacy for the children; and their unwillingness to compromise on the instructions of the courts.

Posted 11/24/09 | Report Abuse

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I have guardianship of two wonderful children, who have been threw a lot with their mother. ( abuse and abandonment, neglect) I received guardianship from a judge, and I did not tell a bunch of lies to get guardianship. I received guardianship of these children because of the mistakes of the mother. The judge recommended supervised visits and I found two places in salt lake city, one called Renaissance child visitation. I went into it thinking that this place would be a safe haven for my children to reunite with their mother. That they would pick the kids sides to be on rather than mine or the mothers. Merry Trujillo did neither of those things. Merry Trujiilo took it upon her self to make decisions that should have been ran by me and my children's therapist. She made the decision to allow someone else into the visit with out my knowledge. That one decision has had a huge impact in the children's lives, it upsets the balance of things. She did not even tell me, she made no contact at all. The mother received 3 visits, the 3rd is when this all happened. I also tried to have a meeting with Merry to work this out and ask why she could not contact me or my children's therapist? She threw a bug fit and hung up on me.. That's professional! Do find a place that cares for your children as much as you do, that wants to protect them, mentally and physically.I just feel that many of the children coming here have been threw way too much to have to continue going threw more crap. Find somewhere that wants to work with you, instead of against you and yes work with the parent that is receiving visits too. Each of the children are Innocent victims here.

Posted 05/12/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I had visits with my children there a handful of times. I found Mary and Carol to be very helpful, even going far enough to offer to go to court with me to get my children back.
They see the real person, and not just the mask. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wants what is in the best interest of the child.
The only suggestion I would have for a potential customer, don't try to be fake, and pretend that you're the innocent one, and the other party is completely at fault. They'll see through it.

Posted 05/08/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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My child was referred to Renaissance and I wished I had done the research before I took my child over there. Mary is extremely rude and biased, 3 times my ex husband cancelled the visitations, and they couldn't even call me to let me know! I drove all the way there and waited and waited for nothing.... Then they decide to introduce his children to the visitation and didn't even notified me before they did that! I heard about what had happened after the visitation and learned they were planning that for a while, but didn't even consult me or notified me before. They are very unprofessional and whey I brought up to her how I was feeling about what was going on, she rudely said she didn't want to talk about it!!! It's ridiculous, I could go on and on about things that happened with this place.... NOT RECOMMENDED!

Posted 04/22/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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This website is for reviews about the center, not bashing other reviews!! From what I have experienced with this particular center, they have not been very helpful in anyway. I really don't feel that this facility does the system any justice at all. By the way, they don't even affiliate with the better business bureau because they can't keep the standards of the bureau. So as a concerned citizen I would not suggest taking your children to this facility. They come back to the custodial parent with nightmares and other problems. The ladies are out for money and to remain partial to one side.

Posted 11/05/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

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Renaissance has been a blessing for me. I am really on the losing side here, and have been working very hard to get things done right. Mary at Renaissance has been wonderful and is the only person that has worked day and night to make things right. I truly believe that they are here for the children. Carol is a wonderful person and I cannot recomment this place enough. People who complain are usually the ones that want to manipulate the system. I do not know what I would do without Renaissance. Thank goodness for people and places like this.

Posted 10/29/08 | Report Abuse

29 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

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My name is Luis Elizondo and I want to tell all and whom ever will listen my personal experiance with the Renaissance.About 5 months ago I was court ordered to meet the woman of Renaissance for evaluation of how I treat my 2 children. My ex-wife had accused me of many nasty and horrible sexual crimes towards my son. They were nastily thought of and brought many questions and raised eye brows from the police, courts, doctors, family, public and most importantly my son. How does a father explain to a 5 year old that mommy is being vindictive and lying? After all we have taught him to always tell the truth. After many visits to therapist, courts, detectives, police, DCFS, doctors,Renaissance and the aid of a polygragh test which I passed with no deception indicated of all allegations I have been cleared of all questionable charges and I am a fit father for my 2 children. During my visits with Renaissance they never left me alone with the kids, not for bathroom breaks, or to answer a phone call; they have a eagle eye and document any and all activity. Favoritism could be shown to mothers because of their natural instincts to love and nurture. These woman have been trained to show none of that, to be fair to the children. They want to find truth and justice so kids can be safe with their parents.5 months later I have had them be my voice to all that listen; that Renaissance can heal time.. they can help familys re-establish trust and it gives the little children a voice. I know from experience, years past and years to come more children can be protected through this agency and as the bible has stated:Thou shalt not bare false witness Mother be warned the children will be with their father and the Renaissance will find justice because she will be their next client to be supervised. From a loving father Luis Elizondo

Posted 10/29/08 | Report Abuse

22 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

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When my son went to court to fight for the rights to see his children, the courts and his attorney recommended the renaissance child visitation. We knew that it would be ok if the courts recommended them. After about five months, we felt like it was a higher power than the courts that sent us there. Those people are wonderful. My grandchildren became so attached to the staff, that when it was time for us to stop the supervised visits we all had tears in our eyes. Everytime they were dropped off they came running in excitedly and had to give everyone hugs. The center is set up to make children feel confortable and at home. There are four rooms full of games, and toys of all kinds, for any ages. It is hard to get the children to leave when there time is up. The center is clean and safe. The staff never lets them out of their site, and never allows the visiting parent to say anything negative about the absence spouse. If the children bring anything negative up about the absence spouse, the staff redirects them to another subject. When the parents arrive at the center, they each have a designated spot to park in, so as not to run into one another, or have a dispute in front of the children. I was appalled at the statements Rachael B. made, as she has never been into that office, and is only going on heresay by the other parent. She claims she has a degree with child development, but has never to my knowledge worked with children or does not have the experience of having any of her own children.. She also claims that in court the staff from the renaissnance center sat behind the father, not that where they sat should make a difference, but they sat behind the mother, and if Rachael had been in court which she wasnt, she would have known that. If she knew what she was talking about she would know that the service the renaissance provides to familys is invaluable for many reasons. I highly recommend the renaissance center to anyone needing a safe, clean, secure place to take their children. Their loaded with experience, but I warn you, your children will get so attached to them, they may never want to leave. We thank the courts, our Attorney, and God above for helping us find them, and I will not remain anonymous, or give a partial name, or initials because what I say is true, and Im not going by gossip, heresay, or rumors. I have first hand experience and am not afraid of being sued. A loving,and concerned Grandmother, Elma Dockstader

Posted 10/28/08 | Report Abuse

13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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This place is the worst place to ever send any child. I have my degree in Early Child Development and took my sister in laws children many times to this hell hole ordered by the courts. They have been treated like crap!! The children have not been supervised at anyway like they were promised they would be! They have always been on the side of the father, who I might add is a drug addict and leaves the supervised visits to look for his drugs during the visit time. They have also let the father poke his young five year old son with a needle in his private area in the CENTER and then deny it was allowed to go on. Then the next week the father was granted unsupervised visits and all the staff sat on the side of the father in court. What about being unbiased and neutral? All through the entire time that they were in their care, they treated my sister in law like she was no good and an unfit mom. Merry even yelled at her and told her to give up. They convinced the courts that the father was a great dad. The mother has notified the police on several occasions about the things that the children have come home saying and the deputy said that my sister in law was coaching her children to say those things. She was also told that Renaissance was a reputable company and that she was lying and that stuff could not go on. This treatment needs to be stopped! Lets work together to get them shut down!! Merry is also rude and crude on the phone. Linda tries to cover up things that really goes on. She tried to cover up the fact that the children's father wasn't doing what the children say he was. She also likes to chit chat with the fathers mother during the visits and does not watch the children and fathers interaction. The visits were originally supposed to be between the father and the children only!

Posted 10/18/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 35 people found this review helpful.

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If you are looking for a safe, clean, and uplifting environment for your child, look elsewhere. These "ladies" provide a threatening, dark experience that will make any child have nightmares. They do not have your child's best interest in mind, but are there for the cash.

Posted 10/01/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 35 people found this review helpful.

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Merry Trujillo will promise you the moon on your intake then this nasty lady will victimize the victim, Carol Gage, with her calulated smile, will seem to do damage control but will ultimately back the nasty actions of her sick partner, Merry (Carol Gage has made it public that Merry Trujillo is an alcoholic). They lie on their reports with half truths and leave out the real reasons that made the mother upset which is because they use their vicious psychology and screaming to prod the mother into despair. Evidently Carol Gage has forgot her oath "to do no harm". IT"S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. They are in financial trouble and will do anything for a buck and throw the children to the wind. These kind of people, I believe, would kick the crutch right out from under a handicapped person, or make fun of a mentally handicapped person if they don't bow down to their demands. Their supervisors have left the non-custodial parent and child alone and have even had a father take his child out the bathroom window and run. In my case, they wandered off to other isles and left my grandchildren alone for a while in a public building while waiting for the father. They also did not accompany them from their office to the public restroom downstairs near a message parlor. Then, like T.J.B. below, Merry screamed, made many threats and manipulated the visitation time beyond the court order for additional $$$. Be prepared to be overcharged and stabbed in the back. IT"S TOO BAD, four to six months ago, Merry was a champion for the cause of abused children and Gage was once respected by Guardian Ad-litems across the valley. Legal Aide will no longer use them, and I can't find one Atty. who will recommend them other than say they are the only game in town. I guess Renaissance does not care to have repeat customers. LOOK for a new supervised visitation business to pop up soon in SLC & Ogden owned by two well respected Atty's. or use Will Win.

WRITERS of PREVIOUS REVIEWS of Renaissance: Please contact me by clicking on my initials above. I would like to start legal action and sue for legal fees and damages. These people do not deserve to be responsible for our precious children.

Posted 01/31/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 35 people found this review helpful.

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I personally worked for this company and it is true that they are biased and that if they are not on your side you better watch out!! They are driven for money and can be very unprofessional. Unfortunately there are not a lot of companies around that offer this kind of service. The management (Mary) will use interrogation and force if you are resisitant to her at all! She rules by fear and she is one nasty lady! I was fine with her as her employee until one hiccup and then she started treating me like she does her clients, I should've realized it would turn out that way one day!

Posted 01/24/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 36 people found this review helpful.

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I brought my son to Renaissance for a reintroduction period to his father. My son is only 2 1/2 years old and his father had only visited him a handful of times since he was born. Dr. Carol Gage and her staff are the most unprofessional people I have ever had to deal with. The owners and employees of Renaissance are suppose to be in a unbiass position yet they chose to play me and my son's father against each other. They encouraged non-compliance of a Court Ordered Visitation schedule which would benefit their office financially. They clearly do not have the children's best interest in mind. Even though we have fulfilled our Court Ordered Visitation through their office they have continued to call and harras me, even showing up on my door step demanding I turn my son over to them. My suggestion to anyone who plans to use this facility is DON'T! They are not the only child visitation company in Utah. I now wish I would have went with using Will Win Visitation Service instead.

Posted 01/10/08 | Report Abuse

4 out of 37 people found this review helpful.

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