MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES

NEWSLETTER

JUNE 1, 2001

Volume 1, Issue 1

 

            This issue starts a new era in newsletter updates from MYS (Marathon Youth Services).  Our newsletter will be published monthly and provide information about current program and service initiatives of MYS.  You have been included on the mailing list because of your professional and/or personal concern for children and families, and the services available in our community to meet their needs in time of crisis.  If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, simply send an email request to  admin@marathonyouthservices.org , requesting to be removed from the list.  Your request will be honored immediately.

 

            If the formatting of this newsletter is unacceptable in your email program, please respond to admin@marathonyouthservices.org  to let me know.  I will continue to adjust formatting to make it acceptable to the majority of list recipients.  Thank you for your assistance and patience.

 

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CONTENTS

 

 

  1. Current Group Home Census/Anticipated Vacancies


     
  2. The month’s Community Service activities


     
  3. Staffing Update

 

  1. Summer School Program Information


     
  2. Racing Update


     

 

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  1. Effective May 29, we have 14 boys in placement.  There are 6 currently at Wings Group Home, and 8 at Reynolds Group Home.  With current discharge planning, we are anticipating a total of 5 vacancies during the month of June.  Referrals can be directed to Doug Adams at 715-842-3240.  Doug and his staff will be more than willing to meet with you to discuss current and future referral needs.



     
  2. Community Service activities continue to be an integral part of programming at MYS.  We feel that the boys should learn about “giving back” to their community, a habit we hope they will continue later in life.  This past month saw a continuing wide variety of projects the boys were involved in.  Wings residents have continued their Adopt A Highway responsibilities by tending their stretch of County Highway J in the area of Wings Group Home.

     RGH residents have been involved in the Adopt A Park program, picking up trash at their designated park, Riverside Park in Wausau on May 6.  This month they also assisted in the U.S.Post Office sponsored food drive for the benefit of the Salvations Army on May 12.  Several of the boys put in some long hours!  On May 19 the boys also did their monthly service at the Kennedy Park Nursing Home, assisting residents in bingo.  During this very busy month, residents also spent a day doing yard cleanup at the newly purchased property at 623 Hamilton Street.



     
  3. There have been a couple of staffing changes in the past month.  Korey Guthman, second shift youth worker at RGH, has accepted a position as a corrections officer in Ladysmith.  He’ll certainly be missed by staff and residents alike.  His position is being very adequately filled by Richard (Rick) Ferree.  Rick is a very experienced individual who brings many personal assets to the program.  We will be sharing more about Rick, as well as other staff members, in future newsletters.

     We were also fortunate to acquire the part time therapy services of Randal Ambrosias.  Randal is a full time therapist for Portage County Human Services, and brings with him experience and certification as an AODA therapist.  He is also involved in Behavioral Modification therapies as well.  We look forward to him assisting us with the treatment and evaluation aspects of programming.

     Greg Sehaitel also continues to provide tutoring services to the boys at RGH two to three times per week.  We’re hoping to have him continue this service  for us in the weeks/months to come.



     
  4. Once again, Marathon Youth Services will be providing a summer school program for the residents of both Wings and Reynolds Group Homes.  This program was established to assist youth who are behind in school credits, to continue the school and learning atmosphere throughout the summer months, for the purpose of continuing structure, accountability, and practice in the learning process.  It is our hope that the skills picked up during the summer will assist youth in having a more successful school experience in the fall.

     Residents of both group homes will be provided the opportunity to gain credits with the assistance of an accredited teacher and teacher assistant.  The summer school program will  begin at 8:00 am and end at 11:00 am, Monday through Thursday.  The morning will be divided into 3 periods.  MYS will provide the supplies and materials needed by the students.  The students may utilize videos and computers for assignments.  Field trips and presentations also are an integral part of the summer program.  Credit earned through the summer will be coordinated with the Department of Public Instruction and the local school district.  Credits will become part of the student’s permanent school transcript.

     Resident/student behavior and effort will be scored by daily points.  The amount of effort and progress will determine, in part, resident level and overall progress in the group home program.  Points will be assigned as follows:

     Homework turned in and signed by evening staff                2pts
     Classroom behavior                                                        3pts
     Behavior on breaks, back on time from breaks                  1pts
     Behavior at lunch                                                            2pts
     Respect toward staff                                                       2pts|

     Summer school begins June 11, 2001 and will continue through mid-August.


     
  5. This month saw the start of the 2001 racing season for Doug and his crew.  While the weather has played an important role in the season so far, Doug has managed a good showing to this point.   Some recent race results follow, provided courtesy of State Park Speedway and web site www.racingonline.com.

    CENEX MINI STOCKS
    FAST TIME: TREVOR DZWONKOWSKI - WAUSAU
    FAST DASH: STEVE COTTRELL - GLEASON, MIKE PETERSON - SCHOFIELD, GREG BLOUNT - MARATHON, DOUG ADAMS - WAUSAU, TREVOR DZWONKOWSKI - WAUSAU
    HEAT #1: AMANDA SCHARA - HAMBURG, JENNY NITZSCHE - WAUSAU, KEITH TESCH - SCHOFIELD, LARRY DRAEGER - MARATHON, DALE LOUZE - MOSINEE, TOREY NITZSCHE - WAUSAU, NICK WIERZBA - ST. POINT
    HEAT #2: TREVOR DZWONKOWSKI - WAUSAU, STEVE COTTRELL - GLEASON, RICHIE KERSTEN - SCHOFIELD, MIKE PETERSON - SCHOFIELD, JEFF DURANSO - WAUSAU, BILL MARTIN - WAUSAU, DOUG ADAMS - WAUSAU, GREG BLOUNT - MARATHON
    FEATURE: TREVOR DZWONKOWSKI - WAUSAU, GREG BLOUNT, STEVE COTTRELL - GLEASON, MIKE PETERSON - SCHOFIELD, RICHIE KERSTEN - SCHOFIELD, DOUG ADAMS - WAUSAU, JEFF DURANSO - WAUSAU, LARRY DRAEGER - MARATHON, KEITH TESCH - SCHOFIELD, JENNY NITZSCHE - WAUSAU, DALE LOUZE - MOSINEE, BILL MARTIN - WAUSAU,
    AMANDA SCHARA - HAMBURG, TOREY NITZSCHE - WAUSAU, NICK WIERZBA - ST. POINT

    Many thanks to the gracious sponsors of the Racing Program.  Future newsletters will discuss the residents’ role in the racing program, and acknowledge the various sponsors.

 

 

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Property of Marathon Youth Services, Inc.  2001
Produced by Jim Prozinski
jimpro@bigfoot.com