1. Director’s Column
   
        Consistency in our work….We do best when we do what we do best…consistently.  Our juvenile and adult programs feature accountability, structure, and of course, consistency.  As much as these features seem obvious, one can begin to understand the challenges we face as we recognize the many influences that cause our environment to be anything but consistent.
        Thinking patterns, parental influences, peer pressure, time constraints, motivational factors and even lack of purpose or clarity.  Most of our lives have a degree of inconsistency.  However, for many of our clients their lives had reached an even higher level of chaos or, due to their disability, simply require a higher degree of consistency to maintain stability in their lives.
        Here at Marathon Youth Services we communicate, develop strategies, evaluate our procedures and outcomes, and focus our efforts to remain consistent, keep our eye on the goal, and assist each of our residents to a greater level of success and independence.  A special goal is to work with the systems of care for our clients, and to be an integral part of the structure and effort to make the process of care as consistent as possible.
        We follow a strength based, tam approach to all treatment, often offering ourselves as the choreographer of services, assisting the Social Worker or Case Manager of each client in all ways that we can to ensure success. 
        A very important area is of course working with the client’s family.  Through individual therapy, family therapy and everyday counsel and guidance by staff, we strive to assist.  Educating and encouraging healthy thinking and consistency with all the families and guardians that we have the great opportunity to work with.
        If chaos is the challenge, then consistency is the serum.  In a dynamic world where change and growth is the norm, consistency is the lifeline to the next level of success.  We at MYS have set our sights on being consistent professionals; creating a safe predictable environment for our clients to grow and learn what strength consistency brings to all our lives.
                                                                       Douglas Adams  MS  LCSW
   
    
2. Are you ready to Rumble?????
   
   MYS sure was on January 19th.  Residents from Prospect Place, Hamilton House and Reynolds Group Home got the opportunity to drive to Green Bay for Monday Night RAW.  We started the night by having dinner at Family Buffet where everyone ate like wrestlers--even staff.  The food was delicious and we all averaged about 3 trips to fill up on food. 
   
   After we ate, we headed over to the Resch Center for the main event.  On the way there, we passed by the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field.  We were all speechless seeing such an awesome stadium.  We parked the van and walked over to the main event.  Even though it was extremely cold at the time, we were all so excited to see the wrestling action that we didn't take notice.  We quickly found our seats and settled in for a fun night.  The seats gave us a great view of the ring and we were able to see everything. 
   
   Suddenly the lights went out in the stadium and within seconds the place exploded with the sights and sounds of fireworks!!  Following the explosions, the stadium was filled with loud music, and we all knew it was time for wrestling.  We were all used to seeing these wrestlers on TV, but being able to see them in person was quite a sight.  These guys were HUGE!!!! 
   
   There wasn't a dull moment in the 3 hours that we were there. One of the highlights was when Stone Cold Steve Austin came bursting through the curtains on a four wheeler.  He did a few laps around the ring and then got the whole crowd screaming.  He then introduced Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown into the ring.  What a sight!!  We screamed, we booooed, and we all got close to losing our voices.  It was an event we all will talk about for a very long time.
   
   And that's the bottom line- ‘Cause Stone Cold Josh Schuch said so!
   
   
    
3. With the advent of the new year, we at Reynolds Group Home have taken a very active initiative in the continuing development of the group programming structure.  The Staff have continued collaboration on the creation and execution of material structured to shape and bring direction to the thoughts and perspectives of the resident group.  The residents have been called upon with increasing frequency to facilitate these discussions, and are often provided a framework from which to capture their own style and deliver their message.  The opportunity for the guys to share within their peer group, without fear of exposure or ridicule may be among the greatest tools at their disposal to re-evaluate their choices and lifestyle.  Please feel free to contact me, Rick Ferree, at Reynolds Group Home if you would like additional details, or visit our web site for complete details about our group counseling efforts at RGH.
   
    
4. Wow!  Is winter back for real in Wisconsin, or what?  This morning it’s 18 below zero, and we’ve actually got some real snow.  Of course that makes a lot of people happy…snowmobiling, skiing, and of course, snow shoveling!  Kyle was more than happy about the snow.  So much so that he thought doing the neighbor’s sidewalk too was a great idea.  What a nice gesture on Kyle’s part.
   
    

 


January also saw another Hamilton House resident garner some well deserved recognition.  Mark was honored by the citizen group REACT for his activities, and received a trophy as “The Most Outstanding Team Member of the Year 2003”   Quite and accomplishment.  We’re all very proud of Mark for this achievement!

In the weeks before Christmas, some of the guys at Hamilton House worked on some gifts for family and neighbors.  We didn’t get the opportunity to share this photo last month, but thought our readers would like to see the guys’ efforts.  Here Sam and Travis show off their hard work.  These are seasonal door stops that they shared with family members and neighbors.  Needless to say they were well received.




 

5. In last month’s newsletter Director Doug Adams had some kind words for the staff of the various MYS residences.  Through an unintended oversight, the great staff of Prospect Place was conspicuously absent from the tribute.  Here finally is a listing of the staff at PP.  I apologize for the oversight…
   
   Prospect Place
        Caryn T…a woman of gentle spirit and strong guidance
        Shanon T…a dynamo of spirit, activity and purpose of life
        Stephanie R…her faith blends with her exuberant personality
        Mary D…speak of a wonderful person, and more hidden talents
        Gary P…a wealth of experience flowing as a quiet gentle stream
        True L…a shining personality, with a desire to be his best
   
   The last two staff on this list are new to MYS in the past couple months.
   True Lor is a University Wisconsin-Stout graduate with a BA degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.  He is currently employed full time with the DCE School District as a bilingual teacher’s aide.  True has acquired his experience through work and volunteering for various community agencies, to include the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Assoc-Fresh Start Program and Positive Alternatives of Menomonee, WI.  True resides in Wausau with his wife Pa Houa and is the proud father of a five month old daughter.
   
   Gary Pfefferle is a graduate of Mount Senario College with a Bachelor of Social Work degree.  Gary is a former employee of Rusk County Department of Social Services, Sunburst Youth Homes and Park View Center of Rice Lake.  Previous volunteer experience as a public relations coordinator, Kinship Carnival, tutoring for Crossroads Literacy Program, Rusk County Chapter and Foreign Language speaking students, Mount Senario College.  Gary also has a military service background.  He currently resides with his wife in Ladysmith and travels to Wausau on the weekends to share his experiences with the young men of Marathon Youth Services.  It is our hope he will share his woodworking talents with us as well.
   
   Once again we’ve been fortunate in attracting two more excellent staff to our team.  We’re currently working on a brochure to introduce all our staff to our friends and supporters.  Look for more info in next month’s newsletter…