MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES

NEWSLETTER

August 1, 2001

Volume 1, Issue 3

            As the month of July comes to an end, it’s hard to imagine that summer is nearly over, and by the next newsletter issue, school will once again be in session.  But it’s been a busy and very productive summer thus far for the residents.  As you’ll see in this month’s issue, the boys have had many great recreation and learning experiences this month, with more to come in what remains of the summer. 

            It was through the generosity of Channel 7 News that our residents enjoyed several activities.  Channel 7 was kind enough to donate tickets for the boys and staff to attend the Renaissance Festival, Monster Truck Rally, and the Shrine Bowl game at Camp Randall.  Many thanks go to the staff and management of Channel 7 for thinking of MYS!

            In my brief racing update this month, I’ll be including a photo recognizing another of Doug’s achievements.  I’m not sure how well everyone’s email server will handle photos, so I would appreciate feedback telling me if you’re able to view the photo, and is it viewable in your email or as an attachment.  If this works for most of the list recipients, I’ll certainly be sharing more photos in the future.  Thanks in advance for your responses, to be emailed to me at admin@marathonyouthservices.org. 

            Speaking of email addresses, you’ll find a list of email addresses below for you convenience.  Feel free to include these in your address book, and use them to reach any of the listed people or homes.

CONTENTS

1. Current Group Home Census/Anticipated Vacancies
   
    
2. The month’s Community Service and Recreational activities
   
    
3. Monthly Bio:  Rick Ferree
   
    
4. New Email Addresses
   
    
5. July Racing Report
   
    
6. New Property!
   
    

1. As the month of July comes to an end, we have 9 boys in placement between the two group homes.  While the lull in referrals continues, we are anticipating things will pick up as the summer moves into the new school year.  We are beginning to get inquiries about possible placements, and expect that will continue as fall comes on.  As usual, Doug and his staff are willing to meet to discuss creative programming/assessment for Agency clientele. Doug can be reached at 842-3240, and is always flexible about arranging meetings.
   
   
    
2. 
    
   
   
    
3. This month’s Bio is about Rick Ferree, one of the newest employees of Marathon Youth Services.  Rick joined the staff of Reynolds Group Home in May as a full time second shift youth worker.  This puts him in a great deal of personal contact with all the boys at Reynolds, which allows the opportunity for him to utilize a great wealth of training and experience.

Rick holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science, earned at Northern Michigan University.  He has a very diverse background, having supervised youth in several types of programs. Prior to joining MYS, Rick has worked in the private security profession, served as a Federal Corrections Officer, and held several varied assignments in the Human Resources field.  He intends to share these varied experiences with the staff to support the team effort utilized here at MYS to promote positive growth in the young people we work with.  Rick says he looks forward to working cooperatively with area professionals, support staff, families and other key people in the lives of our youth toward finding solutions together.  He also believes he call learn and continue to grow professionally through his involvement with MYS.

Rick often boasts of his wonderful wife and children.  In addition to his family, Rick enjoys participatory sports and acoustic guitar.  He and his family are avid Michigan Wolverine and Detroit Lions fans, trying to peacefully co-exist among the Badger/Packer faithful.  Please help us welcome Rick to the MYS family, and try to show some patience for his confused football allegiances…….

4. Email Addresses are now available for the two group homes, as well as their respective managers.  Please feel free to include these in your address book, and use them at your discretion.
        Doug Adams:                     dadams@marathonyouthservices.org
        Sue Midlikowski:               smidlikowski@marathonyouthservices.org
        Stephanie Braski:              sbraski@marathonyouthservices.org
        Reynolds Group Home:     rgh@marathonyouthservices.org       (general staff address)
        Wings Group Home:          wings@marathonyouthservices.org   (general staff address)
   
   
    
5. As Racing comes to an end for the month of July, Doug finishes out the month in third place (out of 30) in the Cenex Mini Stocks division with 499 points!  A pretty darn good showing………Congratulations Doug! This great showing in the current point standing is in spite of mechanical problems that kept him out of last week’s races.  All in all it’s been an exciting month for the MYS Race Team of Bill Kolb, Doug and Deven Adams.  In addition to his successes at State Park Speedway, Doug also was able to set a new track qualifying record at Golden Sands Speedway in Plover.
   
                                       
   
    

                           Doug Adams (#15) set a new track qualifying record this evening in the 4 Cylinder division.

     
     
      Even though Doug’s mechanical misfortunes kept him out of the excitement on July 26, his team members, Bill Kolb
      and son Deven made a very impressive showing.  Bill finished 2^nd in one of the heats and 3^rd in the feature, while Deven

      Finished 4^th in his feature and 4^th in the semi feature.  Another high point for Doug was when one of his other sons,     

      Derek, won the raffle drawing of the coveted Jeff Gordon Golden Pepsi jacket! 

      For a more complete listing of all the race results throughout the state, visit www.racingonline.com. 
                 





 

6. As was reported last month, MYS has purchased another property at 617 Hamilton Street in Wausau.  The new property is a very short block from Reynolds Group Home, even closer to the current Wausau East High School.  The house is currently undergoing a refurbishing, to include a new furnace, new floor and wall coverings, painting, roof repair, and a general cleanup.  Our boys have provided much help in the project, and are responsible for keeping the grounds around the house looking sharp also.
   
   The current plan for the new house is to ready it for occupancy as a girl’s foster home.  Providing services for girls and their families is a new adventure for the current MYS team, but certainly not new to the organization.  Originally, the Reynolds Group Home was a co-ed facility for several years.  While that’s no longer the case, the need for quality services for girls certainly still exists.  If all goes well, we hope to be able to accept referrals sometime this fall.
   
   With the programming available for girls quite limited, at least initially, we’re hoping to have some additional storage and office space in the new house also.  As plans unfold, we’ll keep our readers informed.
   
    

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Property of Marathon Youth Services, Inc.  2001

Produced by Jim Prozinski

jimpro@bigfoot.com