MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES

NEWSLETTER

April 1, 2003

Volume 3, Issue 4

 

 

 

            The calendar says it’s Spring!  A time of joy and optimism.  Frankly, it’s a little hard to feel that way, given the weather this weekend…cold and windy, snow on the ground, a war in progress…   

            For me, a true sign of spring, and a reminder to be optimistic about the promise that it brings, is the return of the Sandhill Crane to central Wisconsin.  I’ve been coordinating the Sandhill Crane Count for the International Crane Foundation now for 15 years.  Each year I am again amazed at the enthusiasm this magnificent bird brings back to our marshlands.  In spite of world events, the crane sets about building a nest, nurturing its young, and planning for the flight south in the fall.
            While our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the rest of the world at this time, we at Marathon Youth Services are feeling the enthusiasm of the crane as spring arrives.  Our licensing at Hamilton House is complete, Prospect Place is almost ready for occupancy, we’ve acquired two more excellent staff members, and all the guys are moving forward with their respective programs.  I guess there is reason to feel optimistic about the future after all.
            We at MYS will continue to build on the optimism we find around us, and do whatever we can to make our already great community an even better place to live.  Please join us!

Read on about the activities and programs of MYS.  Please visit us online at www.marathonyouthservices.org, and feel free to direct any inquiries to Doug at 715-842-3240, or email us at admin@marathonyouthservices.org.

           

 

If at any time you would like to be removed from this mail list, please click REPLY and simply enter UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.  Your address will be immediately removed from the list.

________________________________________________________________

 

 

CONTENTS

 

  1. Director’s Column

     
  2. Prospect Place Progress

     
  3. Hamilton House News

     
  4. Reynolds Group Home Update

     

 

  1. Director’s Note:

                For those of you keeping track….
    Prospect Place is coming along splendidly with doors to open April 1st as planned………no April Fool!  Clients are already being arranged for placement in the early weeks of April.  It’s truly awesome how this has all come together.  We look forward to an Open House to be scheduled soon.  However, we would be glad to offer anyone a personal tour anytime they might like.  Just call!  This home will be licensed as an Adult Family home for 4 residents to make their permanent home.
                My role is again changing, from subcontractor, decorator, and historic site preservationist, back to staff accumulator, trainer, and new program cheerleader.
                Back at the office, I’ve appointed Mr. Lee Biloff to be our Financial Coordinator.  He will better assist us in all matters financial, and will bring a new paradigm of professionalism to our agency, and the community.  He will also offer assistance to our house coordinators regarding budgets and expenditures, and bring even more efficiency to Marathon Youth Services overall.
                Moving even closer to the 21st century, we have gone to real-time cable internet capability, and have even developed our own in-house wireless network….cool!  Thanks to Jim Prozinski for his development of this undertaking, and its success!
               
                    Our new email addresses are:
                                Doug:  dadams15@charter.net
                            RGH: reynoldsgrouphome@charter.net
                            Hamilton House:  hamiltonhs617@aol.com  (still AOL!)
                Please discontinue use of: mysinc97@aol.com.
               
                And yes, racing is just around the corner!  The season starts with a car show at Trinity Lutheran School/Church on Stewart Ave. in Wausau, April 12 from 10 am until??  There will be food, fun, and opportunities to sit in the race cars. 
                We will have at least two cars running the races again this year.  Many of you remember that we have been Division Champion 2 years running!  This year I will be driving a bit less, and others running a bit more.  Come cheer us on when you have a chance.
                The mission of Marathon Youth Services continues to be to serve and enhance our community…We are proud to Serve and Contribute.

                                 Doug Adams, Director


     
  2. Progress continues at an amazing rate on our newest acquisition, Prospect Place, located at 412 Prospect Ave in Wausau.  We all find the house to be quite charming, and know it will make an excellent home to four young men in need of a permanent, stable, and well maintained environment.

    In recent weeks, two licensed electricians have completely rewired the entire house, every room has been thoroughly cleaned and painted, floors have been buffed, varnished, or carpeted, new appliances installed, and furniture donations are beginning to come in from our generous community.  We’ve also had a carpenter construct a new porch on the north side of the house.  As the weather improves, we’re looking forward to even more cleaning and yard work outside.  We’re proud to be part of this fine historic old neighborhood, and are looking forward to becoming better acquainted with our neighbors.

    As we prepare to accept our first residents at Prospect Place, Sue Midlikowski, Program Coordinator at Hamilton House, will be assuming oversight responsibility for getting this new venture off the ground.  Sue is well known and respected by all who have had the pleasure of working with her, and will do whatever is necessary to insure the success of Prospect Place.  Hopefully our new neighbors will have an opportunity to stop by for a visit, or attend an Open House when it is announced.
  3. Hamilton House has at long last received its license as a four bed adult care facility!  That means we will soon be filling the two remaining beds, providing a permanent residence for two more young men.  Sam and Mark are looking forward to the prospect of new friends, as is the staff.

    In an activity earlier in the month (during our last snow storm), Scott took Mark and Sam ice fishing.  The weather kept the trip brief, but the guys enjoyed themselves.  Following is a report about the event submitted by Scott:

                It was going to be about four hours long, but the weather was bad that day.  It was cold and windy with snow, and usually when the weather changes like this the fishing is bad.  Well, it was a bad day for fishing and we didn’t get a bite!  But we still had a good time eating our hamburgers, chips ands soda, and having good conversation.

    I showed the guys some fishing tips and they got to drill some holes in the ice.  There were also some fun moments when Sam slipped off the bucket he was sitting on and we all had a good laugh!  I told the guys of some of the times I slipped off my bucket, and some of my other fishing adventure stories.

    It was nice to have the opportunity to talk with the guys and go do something fun with them.  Since I work the overnight, I don’t get to do this kind of thing too often.  When we got back, the guys thanked me for taking them and said they really had a good time.  So did I!

                                                       Scott Lamken, Residential Care Worker

    More pictures from this ‘fishing adventure’ can be found on our web site at www.marathonyouthservices.org.  Check it out…..

    This past month also saw the addition of another full-time staff at Hamilton House.  After a thorough selection process, we were fortunate to have Caryn Toschner agree to join the team of Marathon Youth Services.  Caryn will be working with the guys in our adult programs.

    Caryn is a native of Merrill, WI.  After high school she attended North ce    ntral Technical College where she received an Associate’s Degree-Administrative Assistant in 1999.  After working in several office positions around the area, she decided to return to school to pursue a Human Services degree.  By attending classes at Upper Iowa University, Caryn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services in 2002.  She also served an internship at Lincoln Hills School at Irma, WI, and has experience as a caregiver to individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

     We are extremely pleased to have Caryn join our staff, and look forward to a long and mutually satisfying relationship.  Stop by Hamilton House and meet her sometime.


     
  4. Another typically busy month at Reynolds Group Home!  One discharge occurred this month, leaving us considering referrals to fill that bed.  This next week will be Spring Break for the boys, and several will have extended home visitations.  This is a good opportunity for the guys to practice some of their newly acquired skills regarding improved family relations, hopefully leading to a discharge and family reconciliation. 

    Last month we reported that Joe Koenig had resigned to join his family’s business in the Woodruff/Minoqua area.  This month we can report having acquired a fine young man to fill the vacancy left by Joe.  Rick has submitted the following to introduce our newest team member at Reynolds Group Home:

                    Marathon Youth Services would like to welcome Nick Simonis to our Reynolds Group Home staff.  Nick is a native of NorthCentral Wisconsin, graduating from SPASH in Stevens Point.  Within weeks of graduation, Nick was in basic training for the U.S.Air Force, studying aircraft mechanics prior to being stationed in North Carolina.  Completing his enlistment, Nick returned to  Wisconsin with his wife.  He began studies in Police Science while his wife continued her career as a registered nurse. 
                Nick has served as a reserve deputy for Wood County, and as a police officer for the City of Pittsville.  He enjoys sports and most every outdoor opportunity that the northwoods has to offer.  He brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and commitment to the organization, and we are mutually excited about his potential to contribute to the growth and character development of our young men.
                Welcome Nick!

                                                    Rick Ferree, RGH Program Coordinator

                In the middle of February, we had a visit at Reynolds Group Home from Wausau Police Department’s K-9 Unit, Officer Mark Jaeger and his dog, Sander.  The visit provided an opportunity to see how the dog is used in the police department and it provided a good training opportunity for the police to investigate a residence.  It was obvious the dog is very highly trained, and he responds well to his handler.

                Officer Jaeger explained to our residents and staff that it is very difficult to hide any drugs anywhere because Sander is well trained and very consistent.  Sander clearly enjoys his job as he demonstrated how he conducts a search. 

                We at Marathon Youth Services would like to extend a huge Thank You to Officer Jaeger and Sander for coming to Reynolds Group Home.  We hope they both found the experience a good learning opportunity.  Everyone at RGH sure did!

    By the way, another sure sign of spring (and optimism) is the enthusiasm shown by our Director for the upcoming racing season.  Doug is already hard at it, readying the MYS cars for another year of exciting race action.  We’re always looking for ways to involve the guys in this project, and this year we have several new residents who have a particular interest in the racing scene.  It should be an exciting and event filled spring and summer.

    If you have any questions or program requests, feel free to contact Doug at 715-842-3240 or dadams@marathonyouthservices.org. We are always interested in your thoughts or comments.

     

If at any time you would like to be removed from this mail list, please click REPLY and simply enter UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.  You will be immediately removed from the list.

 

 

 

Property of Marathon Youth Services, Inc.  2003
Produced by Jim Prozinski