MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES

NEWSLETTER

April 1, 2002

Volume 2, Issue 4

Last month at this time winter still had a firm grip on all of us.  New snow had fallen and spring appeared to be just an occasional mirage.  While it’s not a whole lot better this morning, at least the daily temperature is rising and the grass is showing.  Spring is officially here, and with it our optimism for a new season.

With spring of course comes “spring break”.  This past week was a week off from school, and an opportunity to do some special things.  A group from the two group homes made trips to Madison and Green Bay for some fun and educational experiences.  They even had an invitation to visit Senator Breske in Madison.  The Senator is actually one of our neighbors at Wings Group Home. 

            We also have some follow-up this month on our “forestry program”, as well as the promised interview with one of our successful boys.  We’ve also had a lot of activity with several discharges and new residents coming into placement.  All in all a busy month again.

 Read on about the activities and programs of MYS, and please feel free to direct any inquiries to Doug at 715-842-3240, or email us at admin@marathonyouthservices.org.

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CONTENTS

 

1. March Group Home activity update
   
    
2. Derrick’s Success!
   
    
3. Forestry Program
   
    
4. Spring Break
   
    

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1. March was a typically busy month, with spring break from school, capped off with the Easter weekend.  Some of the boys were able to spend a little extra time at home, while the others went on a field trip to Madison and Green Bay.  This of course in addition to all the regular groups, volunteer activities, schoolwork, etc.  As usual, our guys didn’t have a lot of idle time on their hands this month!  Also, this month saw some discharges and new admissions, a time that always brings on a period of adjustment as people ‘get to know’ each other.
   
   Groups at Wings this month covered such diverse independent living topics as how to recognize symptoms and treat a victim of poisoning, job maintenance skills, and on March 12^th , a presentation to both group homes by Fred Mueller Buick/Pontiac on Automotive Careers. 
   
   Treatment groups this month covered anger triggers and how to manage them, role playing with residents presenting both unhealthy and healthy means of handling situations to compare outcomes, as well as discussion about Thinking Errors.  The boys also watched a television presentation on teen drug use and discussed empathy and effects on family when a member uses drugs.
   
   Scott Lamken was also inadvertently presented an opportunity to teach the boys a skill when he had the misfortune of hitting a deer while on his way to work at Wings.  After having the deer legally tagged by the Sheriff’s Department, Scott did a group on the proper field dressing and care of the carcass.  One of our guys has hunting experience and was able to lead the group and show off his skills.  Joe Koeing also took the opportunity to discuss hunting safety and regulations with the group.  As you see, we seize upon every opportunity to teach real life skills.
   
   
    
2. As promised last month, Sarah Wasson of Wings Group Home has submitted another report, this time about one of our longer term residents:
   
   This month’s Wings feature will highlight our long-term, veteran resident, Derrick.  Derrick has been with us since July 2 of last year.  His beginnings at Wings were, to say the least, rocky and challenging.  Derrick came to us after he “flunked out” of the electronic monitoring program.  He was not at all happy with his placement at Wings.  Derrick reports that early in his stay here his primary concerns were finding ways to abuse drugs and that his attitude was, basically, that “this place is going to suck”.  He also stated, “I was going to run but (another resident) talked me out of it.”  In fact, Derrick’s early months here were rough going at times.  He had ongoing problems with behavior and attitude, something to which Derrick is now comfortable admitting.
   
   Since the beginning of the new year, however, we have seen some remarkable and heartening changes in Derrick’s behavior and in his perceptions of life.  He was able to recognize that his behaviors were keeping him from his goal of leaving the group home and getting on with his life, and he was capable of turning around his behaviors in order to meet that goal.  With his objective of going home clearly in sight, Derrick was determined to manage himself at Wings and graduate successfully. 
   
   Unlike some of our long-term residents, Derrick has never really become too comfortable at Wings, and both he and staff view this as a good thing.  He understands he has too much to lose and while he has bad days like everyone, he is much better at processing his behavior and taking responsibility currently than he was when he arrived here.  He has also improved in his overall maturity level, which has been a pleasant change for all who know him.
   
   Derrick has a delightfully wacky, offbeat sense of humor which we will all miss when he finally leaves Wings this month.  His pranks will be missed as well; a recent memorable prank involved an unsuspecting staff getting a shower at the kitchen sink after he had wrapped the sprayer with a rubber band.
   
   When asked for any works of wisdom on his success in the Wings program, Derrick gave a sardonic smile and said, “Just do what you gotta do!”  We wish him all the best as he enters young adulthood and independence.
                                                                                                       Sarah Wasson
   
   As Sarah says, we all wish the best for Derrick, and all other residents who are discharged back to the community.  We also continue to extend an offer of ongoing assistance to former clients/residents on an almost indefinite basis.  Ongoing family counseling services are offered, as well as the willingness to help former residents and their families through the sometimes difficult times of reconciliation.  Discharge plans frequently include a prescription for such ongoing services.  Such services as the Family Group can often make the difference between success and failure during that post-discharge period, and are readily extended to former residents.
   
   
    
3. Joe Koenig was also able to get the Forestry Program off the ground this month.  This program initiative is summed up in a quote from a letter to one of our benefactors who aided in the startup of the project:
   
   ”Aside from education and therapy the boys are in constant need of structure, discipline and exercise.  The Wings program is starting a Forestry Program where the goal is to expose the boys to teamwork, safety, exercise, self-discipline and charity through this project.  Our objective is to provide a service in the community whereby the group home would clear treetops from logging tracts or remove storm damaged trees for landowners.  In exchange for the service the group home would keep the firewood that is harvested for either our future outdoor wood-burning furnace (wish list item) or to sell.  Any proceeds would go toward future trips and outing for the guys.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   While the guys would like very much to work with the chain saws, that part is left to staff.  The boys do get some instruction in the proper care and use of the machines, but liability issues don’t permit their use of them, at least not when they’re running!  Here Gus and Matt get the feel for the saws at least.
   
   
   
   So far Joe has had the guys out two weekends this month cutting and harvesting wood.  There is plenty of work coming in all the time.  Any inquiries about the program should be directed to Joe Koeing or Stephanie at Wings Group Home.
   
   Joe and the boys continue to be in need of some supplies for the forestry program also.  We would be very happy to accept donations of such things as:
      new or used chain saws
      hard hats
      safety glasses
      chain files
   Or anything else donors might have to benefit such a cause.  We’ll keep everyone posted on the ongoing progress of this program also.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
4. In planning some worthwhile activities for the guys for Spring Break, Jill Hytry, youth worker at Wings, made some calls and arranged a couple of visits.  One such visit was an invitation from State Senator Roger Breske to visit the State Capitol, and his office. Wings Group Home happens to be located within the Senator’s 12^th Senate District, and the Senator is aware the program.  He wanted an opportunity to meet the boys and staff and welcome them to Madison.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Here we have most of the group with the Senator. Standing from the left are: Matt, Ruben, Taylor, Josh, Chad, Senator Breske, Craig, and Rick Feree.  Seated from the  left are Angus and Gus.
   
   
   The staff and residents of both Wings and Reynolds Group Homes want to extend our sincere thank you to the Senator for his hospitality.  We hope he will visit us at the group
   
   homes so we can return his warm reception.  Our trip to Madison was a success, with the guys having a chance to see one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in the United States.
   
   
   The staff and residents also got the chance to visit the Wisconsin Veterans Museum while in Madison. 
   
   
   
                                                                  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

The trip on March 27^th to Madison was followed the next day by a trip to Green Bay and the New Zoo and

Botanical Gardens.  This was also a great new experience for many of our residents.

                       

Here we see from the left, standing: Craig, Angus, Matt, Chad, Josh, and Jodi Casellas.
In front are Gus (left) and Taylor.

As you can see, March has been a busy time for all of us.  The optimism of spring has a firm grip on us, and we’re all looking forward to warmer weather and more outdoor activities.  And of course, with the coming of spring is the Racing Season again.  Next month we’ll have a report from Executive Director Doug Adams on the plans for this coming season’s racing!  Doug’s success of last season will be hard to beat, but we’ll all be cheering him and the racing team on!


Also, keep in mind that Marathon Youth Services now has an Informational CD available.  If you are interested in learning more about our services and facilities, please request a CD by contacting Doug, or by email at admin@marathonyouthservices.org.




 

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Property of Marathon Youth Services, Inc.  2002
Produced by Jim Prozinski
jimpro@charter.net