Director’s Column
My Father…
I write for this month of thanksgiving a piece about my father.
As I grow older, I appreciate more and more the opportunity I have had to know my father. When I was young, I remember my father being gone at work a lot, frequently working double shifts at the GM plant to provide for my family. I feel fortunate that the time when he was around, I often got to be with him.
We did much together as I sort of followed him around like a happy puppy. I enjoyed being with him, I like helping him, and I liked our time we spent together. We spent countless hours working on projects, often cars, boats, motorcycles, and home maintenance projects. As I grew older, we shared more in who did the work, and soon I was taught to be as talented as he. We worked a lot, but we played a lot also.
Spending countless hours on the lakes and rivers, boating and skiing the hours away. I was one of the strongest guys in school, simply due to the time I spent water-skiing. We rode motorcycles countless miles also. I bought my first motorcycle with my babysitting and lawn mowing money when I was 12. My dad would take me to the trails where I would ride for hours, and he would wait, ant then we would ride home together on my small cycle.
When I got my license we would ride cycles for miles to all kinds of fantastic places. He helped me buy my first car, a Corvair convertible, when I was 14. I spend the next 11/2 years preparing that car for driving when I would earn my license.
We didn’t talk much about girls, and I think he was somewhat sad when the young ladies started to pull me away. I will never forget him the day I moved out to get married. He never really told me not to, but I wish he would have. I just don’t think he had the words or thought it was right at the time.
My father has always been available both at my worst to times as well as the good. There were probably times he disapproved of my choices, but he always supported me, and helped me when I asked.
I worked had to please my parents, especially my dad. I did nwell in school, followed most of my rules, and if I did step out of line, seldom was the event something that caused anyone to feel disrespected or hurt; only worried and temporarily concerned.
I clearly remember my father touring me through the GM plant that he worked at for over 25 years, and where he later retired, always telling me to look hard and learn, because I was not going to work there too.
I went to college to become a mechanical engineer and graduated with a Masters of Guidance and Counseling degree…go figure. As I tell the story, I guess I became a human engineer instead, and did I mention, I’m good at building bridges.
My father knows little of what I do, but he has occasionally told me how proud he is. We visit now infrequently, but talk rather often. We speak of our adventures, our projects, our toys, and our families. I tell my father I love him, and hug him with force whenever I see him.
I have worked with so many young people that grew up without what I had. A father. A man who cared to the best of his ability. I think he did well, and I’m proud of him. May I do the same for my own children, and those that I work with. Thanks Dad.

As we continue to grow and improve our services, we are striving to expand our clinical services component. We have been providing Masters Degree level counseling for our residents since 1996. This has included both individual and family therapy for all the residents and families involved with our agency. The impact has been significant and long lasting. Group therapy has been another component frequently used in our treatment milieu.
In addition to Doug Adams, MYS has employed several other Masters level therapists throughout the years. We currently have 2 part time therapists in addition to Doug, and are planning to add another full time, experienced clinician.
Our focus continues to be on adolescent and young adults and their families. We are qualified and prepared to work with the most challenging of cases. We have a long history of working with sexual offenders as well as children who are victims of trauma and neglect. We routinely work to rebuild families in critical areas of communications, structure and accountability; including roles, respect and responsibilities. Our greatest reward is when a family feels as though their child has been reunited with them, or that the conflict in their family has been resolved.
Our goal continues as we search for office space and additional skilled and dedicated clinicians, and the opportunity to do more of what we do best; help young people and their families.

The most recent addition to our clinical services staff is Michele Rasmussen. Michele has been a mental health professional since 1994, receiving her Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling and Psychology in 1996 from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. She has extensive experience in both in-patient and out-patient settings, specializing in trauma therapy, work with clients that have experienced abuse and tragedy, and facilitating emotional and spiritual healing. Michele has extensive experience with victims of sexual abuse as well as perpetrators of sexual aggression. Michele is also certified with the EMDR Institute (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which specializes in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other trauma disorders. For more complete biographical data, visit our web site at www.marathonyouthservices.org.

Michele joins another part time therapist on our staff, Linda Nolte. Linda comes to MYS with a wide range of experience and expertise. Since receiving her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology/Counseling from the UW-Milwaukee, Linda has held several professional level positions. In addition to providing counseling services to our clients, Linda is a home care social worker with the Comfort Care and Hospice Services as well as a social worker on the rehabilitation unit of Mount View Care Center. Please visit http://www.marathonyouthservices.org/Counseling.htm for additional information on our complete clinical program.

Community service activities were quite varied this month at Reynolds Group Home. They ranged from helping out at the Fairytale Ball at the Marathon County Public Library to raking leaves on Make a Difference Day (October 23). In addition, it was Homecoming month and our guys took part in several of the activities such as crazy hat day, dress up day, pajama day and more.

Frank completed his enlistment into the Marine Corps and will be going active next August, right after his 18^th birthday. He’s quite excited about this opportunity.
Several other guys embarked on some new directions this month also. Karl has joined the Wausau East JV football squad, Calvin has joined 4-H
at John Muir Middle School and Thao is looking into joining Future Farmers of America (FFA).
In addition, Kris was able to have the cast removed from his foot and will now begin physical therapy. All in all, a busy and productive month!