Introduction

The history of Marathon Youth Services began with the purchase of the Hamilton Street property by Ralph and Karen Weeks in 1978.  Ralph and Karen lived in the glorious old Victorian house with their three kids, and were licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a group home to care for as many as eight adolescents, both boys and girls.  After successfully serving over 60 children and their families, the Weeks decided to retire from the group home business.  They continue to serve kids and families as highly respected Treatment Foster Parents.

In 1984, the property, and desire to help kids, were passed on to Dennis and Carla Reynolds.  The Reynolds quickly established themselves as worthy successors to a developing tradition of quality services to troubled kids.

As the years passed and the demands of running Reynolds Group Home increased, Denny and Carla made the decision to incorporate as Marathon Youth Services.  Two years after incorporation, a decision was made by the board of directors to open Wings Group Home, located in a rural Marathon County setting.  Additional service initiatives were in the planning stage when tragedy struck.  Denny was attacked by a fast growing cancer and died three months later in November of 1994.  Survival of MYS looked doubtful until staff and family, true to the memory of Denny, rallied around an effort to keep the organization alive.  In an effort to solidify and focus resources, Wings Group Home was closed and greater focus given to addressing the expressed needs of the community.

Since 1995, Marathon Youth Services has been led by an executive director and a very competent staff.  Programming for kids and families continues and has been greatly enhanced.  Placement in the group home now includes individual and family therapy, provided by a Master's Level therapist.  Many other program enhancements have continued to meet the ever changing demands of today's youth.  More ideas abound as MYS continues striving to meet the needs of the community.

Our most recent initiative now expands on our service paradigm to include services to young developmentally disabled adults.  We now proudly operate four facilities to serve this population. Hamilton House, Prospect Place, Grand Place and now our Seventh Street Suites have been added to serve this new population.

The future is indeed bright for Marathon Youth Services.  Have a look around, and please share your thoughts with us.  We'd love to hear your comments, and will be happy to entertain any inquiries. 

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