MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES
NEWSLETTER
September 1, 2001
Volume 1, Issue 4
As summer comes
to an end and school begins for another year, we look back at what has been a
very busy summer for the clients and staff of Marathon Youth Services. We’ve
been able to provide residents with many fun recreational activities, a
successful summer school experience, opportunity to give back to the
community, as well as the regular treatment programming. During the summer we
have also been able to successfully reunite several residents with their
families, and are looking forward to meeting and serving many new clients in the
weeks and months to come.
This summer has
also seen the birth of this newsletter. It is our hope to continue providing
this monthly information in order to keep our clientele and friends aware of the
ever-developing program provided by MYS. Our mailing list has grown to well
over 100 recipients, to include client families whenever possible. We are
providing printed copies of the newsletter to families without Internet access.
If you know of anyone you would like to see included on our email list, please
forward their name/email information and they will be added.
We also have a
current, though primitive, web site at
www.marathonyouthservices.org. We are in the process of planning a complete
overhaul of the site and would welcome your input. If you have thoughts of how
the site, or this newsletter, may be useful to you, please pass them on to us.
Our intention is to provide a web site that will share more detailed information
about programming, services available, as well as a continuing update of all
resident activities. We’ll be able to share photos of recreational and
community activities as well. We are also looking at ways to involve the
residents in developing content for the site.
If at any
time you would like to be removed from this mail list, please click REPLY and
simply enter UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. You will be immediately removed
from the list.
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CONTENTS
-
Current Group Home
Census/Anticipated Vacancies
-
August Group Home
Activities
-
Monthly Bio: Joe
Koenig
-
End of Summer Race Report
__________________________________________________________________________________
-
Effective September 1, we
have 11 boys in placement. There are 3 currently at Wings Group Home,
and 8 at Reynolds Group Home. We are anticipating a couple of discharges, and
are currently considering several referrals. However, keep in mind that Doug
and his staff are willing to discuss any referrals or anticipated placement
needs at your convenience. Doug can be reached at 842-3240, and
continues to be flexible in arranging to meet with you and/or your client.
Doug Adams and Jim Prozinski also continue to meet periodically with Marathon
County Department of Social Services representatives Bob Nicholson, Sandy
Wadzinski and Tom Buttner, to discuss MYS programming and Department needs.
It is our hope to stay responsive to the current and anticipated needs of
MCDSS clientele. In one such recent discussion, the possibility of a sex
offender treatment group was brought up as a possible Department need. It
was agreed that Doug and therapist Buddy Schubert would meet with Agency
representatives to outline how MYS will meet that need as soon as possible.
It is this sort of discussion and planning that we hope to continue and
encourage.
-
During
the course of this past summer we have been again fortunate to have the
teaching services of Joe Rislove, a certified teacher who has conducted our
Summer School Program for the past two years. Joe and the boys wrapped up
this summer’s program on August 9th with a picnic at Mission Lake.
One of their last activities was an overnight trip to Heritage Hill in Green
Bay for the experience of a little state history. The trip was also to
include a day at Bay Beach Park, but unfortunately that was rained out.
Nevertheless, the boys were able to pick up some high school credit this
summer, and stay in the learning habit. At this writing, all the boys
are once again back in public school, with classes at Rosholt High School
beginning on August 23rd, and classes in the Wausau School District
starting on August 27th.
The break between summer school and the start of first semester allowed some
of the boys with jobs to put in a few extra hours, which means more progress
toward restitution obligations for some. The boys also had time for some
additional recreation and community services activity as well.
Work continues on the new porch at RGH and the new property on Hamilton
Street. The boys continue to help our maintenance man Carl with both those
projects as their time permits. RGH residents also continue their regular
volunteer work at Kennedy Park Rehabilitation Center, helping residents and
staff with bingo again on August 18th.
On August 16th, all the boys were treated to a day at Rainbow
Falls Water Park (www.rainbowfamily.com) in Plover, courtesy of the
management of that facility. Our thanks go out to the generous people there.
The boys and staff had a great time and look forward to more similar
opportunities!
Speaking of good times, staff of the two group homes took a day to enjoy a
little relaxation and camaraderie at a staff picnic on August 6th.
The gathering was held at Blue Gill Bay Park in the Town of Rib Mountain, with
much great food and refreshments provided. Doug also brought out all his
various toys for staff to enjoy, including boating, water skiing, and Jet Ski
rides. The best part of the day was the chance to relax with fellow
employees! Thanks go to all that helped make this day possible.
With school now in session, we find that we have two residents at RGH that
have decided to pursue some fame in sports. Jon is now on the Wausau East
Cross Country Team, and Angus is playing football at Wausau West.
Congratulations boys! We now have even more reason to attend these events,
and will be cheering you on through the season.
-
This
month we would like to briefly profile Joe Koenig. Following an
extensive and varied experience in law enforcement, Joe has decided to take a
break from police work, and joined the staff of Marathon Youth Services in
December 2000. He is primarily involved in programming as a youth worker at
Wings Group Home, but also helps out occasionally at RGH. This school year he
will also have liaison responsibilities with Rosholt High School.
Joe was born in Illinois and subsequently moved with his family to the
Minocqua area while he was still in grade school. After high school
graduation, Joe immediately entered the Police Science Program in Fond Du Lac,
WI. Following his school experience, he was employed by the undercover
drug enforcement unit of the Winnebago County Sheriffs Department.
Following that experience Joe completed the Police Academy and joined the
Marinette Police Department. There Joe served as a juvenile officer,
McGruff, as well as police canine handler and trainer. With this varied
experience behind him, in 1994 Joe returned to his hometown where he joined
the Minocqua Police Department. There he served as the police liaison
to Lakeland High School. He also served as an EMT and self-defense trainer,
in addition to his normal patrol responsibilities.
Since joining the MYS team back in December, Joe has introduced a higher level
of physical fitness to the boys at Wings through swimming and weightlifting
activities. He takes a great deal of interest in the success of the boys, and
has often extended himself beyond the requirements of his employment. The
boys enjoy his level of involvement, and his efforts are greatly appreciated
by staff and management alike. His good-natured pranks (to staff) and sense
of humor, in conjunction with is varied expertise, make us all grateful we
were able to retain him. We’re hopeful he will remain with MYS for some years
to come.
-
The
end of summer also brings an end to Racing Season 2001. While some
invitational events remain, a very successful season has about ended for Doug
and his crew. Doug’s home track has been State Park Speedway (www.racingonline.com
) in Rib Mountain the past two years. State Park has been in business for
over 30 years, and it now appears this may have been the final year! Due to
some dispute over the racetrack lease, racing at this track for next year is
currently in doubt.
However, Doug and the team have been successfully racing this year at Golden
Sands Speedway in Plover as well. No matter the outcome of the lease dispute
at State Park Speedway,
the MYS Race Team will be back again next year.
Racing in the Cenex Mini-Stock Division, Doug has finished the
season in second place with 767 points, a great achievement for
such a new team. In addition to Doug’s great season performance, he has been
joined by the outstanding performances of team members Deven Adams and
Bill Kolb. When Bill and Deven have been able to join Doug, they have
turned in very respectable achievements of their own, managing to win heats
and an occasional feature.
Both Doug and Bill were able to win a feature race in August, with Doug also
winning several fast dash events. Deven also turned in several
respectable performances and continues to improve. He will no doubt continue
to enhance his ability behind the wheel, and provide even more competition for
his Dad. More complete results of the Team’s performance can be found at
www.racingonline.com. Following as a couple of the many photos available
at the racing site, these featuring Doug’s performance and achievements.
Doug and Winning #
15 Deven’s Big Moment with #2510
Doug’s Feature
Win! # 15 Strikes Again!
Some Fast Action at
Golden Sands Speedway!
As you can see, with the help of his Team,
including resident pit crew members, MYS has had a very successful season at the
track. We look forward to another year of racing in 2002, and hope to further
involve the residents as their interest and program progress permits. And
again, all at MYS want to thank the supporters and sponsors of the Racing
Program, particularly Brickner Motors, 2510 Family Restaurant, Wausau Imports,
Wimmer Construction, Green Valley Septic, Wausau Steel, and Walters Buildings.
Their generous support has helped make this effort possible.
____________________________________________________________________________
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UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. You will be immediately removed from the list.
Property of Marathon Youth Services, Inc. 2001
Produced by Jim Prozinski
jimpro@bigfoot.com