Aftermath Foundation makes bold statement with major LA billboard campaign

Across the pond, the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation has launched a bold new advertising campaign in Los Angeles, unveiling dozens of billboards across the city offering help to people wanting to escape from Scientology and start new lives.

In response to a recent international Scientology advertising campaign, the Aftermath Foundation has made a bold statement by placing twenty billboards of their own in prominent locations across the city saying “Need help leaving Scientology? Call us”.

The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organisation established in 2018 with the purpose of helping those who want to leave Scientology, but who lack a system of support that they can rely on while getting on their feet in the outside world.

The campaign features former Scientology spokesperson Mike Rinder who joined forces with Leah Remini to co-host the Emmy-award winning show ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ before he passed away in January 2025. Quoting Mike, one billboard reads “The difference between a religion and a cult is what happens when you try to leave,”. Mike served as a member of The Aftermath Foundation from 2018 until July 2024.

Also featured is Claire Headley, a former high ranking official who escaped from Scientology’s international base near Hemet, CA and who testified as an expert witness in the 2023 Danny Masterson trial.

Headley, who now serves as the President of the Foundation, says “Scientology keeps a tight grip on its members and asserts complete control over their lives by restricting their access to the outside world. When I escaped from their International Headquarters I had nothing but the clothes on my back, I had nowhere to go and nobody to turn to. There are more Scientologists in the LA area than anywhere else in the world, and we want to make sure they know the Aftermath Foundation will help them if they choose to leave.”

When departing Scientology, people often find themselves in places of hardship with no family to turn to, no work experience outside of the Church and lacking the resources they need to land on their feet. The Aftermath Foundation is ready and able to help, and responds to applications for aid from all over the world. 

“We hope that our message will resonate with those currently stuck inside Scientology who may not be aware they are not alone in their suffering,” Headley says.

Earlier this year, Scientology ran an international advertising campaign featuring photographs of its members next to the words “I’m a Scientologist. Curious?” with a link to their website. In response, The Aftermath Foundation’s billboards read “I’m an ex-Scientologist. Curious?” with a link to scientologystories.org, a webpage set up to highlight the personal stories of those who have left.

The campaign is set to run for several weeks, reaching 1.8 million people a week, based on footfall and traffic data.