Group Home Managers Sue Midlikowski and Stephanie Schuster, as well as Youth Worker Rick Ferree, have been making visits to county agencies in Central Wisconsin to present our programs and answer questions. If you would like them to make a stop at your agency, please contact Sue at 715-842-1154, or email at smidlikowski@marathonyouthservices.org. Also, 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 at 715-842-3240, or email at dadams@marathonyouthservices.org.
As usual, in spite of their other responsibilities, the boys continued to fulfill their community service obligations. The Wings boys again helped out the neighboring farmer, displaying excellent teamwork in completion of their tasks. The boys at Reynolds continued their Saturday volunteer work at Mount View Manor, and were scheduled to help move an individual to a new home this past weekend. Everyone was part of the extra shopping, cleaning, decorating and cooking in preparation for holiday visitors and the open houses.
Along with the seasonal activities of December, the residents of both group homes continued to work closely with Sue Nowak of North Central Health Care Facilities in their AODA groups. We had two residents lead groups this month! Also hit hard this month were anger management groups and lifetime goals.
With the mild weather and lack of snow we’ve had so far this year, some of the winter activities are a little slow in getting started. Things such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, and of course shoveling and chipping ice, will have to wait a little longer until Mother Nature cooperates. Hopefully Joe and Scott will be able to take the boys on their annual ice-fishing excursion sometime in January.
And of course, our Annual Open House was a great success. Representatives of many agencies were able to come by for a visit and lunch. These included folks from Marathon County Department of Social Services, Northwoods Alliance, Professional Services Group, State Juvenile Corrections, The Boys and Girls Club and Wausau West High School. We also enjoyed having many other family and friends of MYS visit also. (Thanks Michael W for stopping in for lunch!) We all appreciated the great lunch prepared by staff (under the expert guidance of Carol G.). Thanks again for all who came by for the visit.
On December 21 staff held a Christmas Party at Reynolds, sharing dinner and gifts with residents and staff alike. In addition, Carol Gruening was presented a plaque by MYS as an appreciation for her outstanding dedication as both an employee and friend. Once again, great food was served, with special recognition going to Maria’s egg rolls.
Sarah was born in Chicago and grew up in southern California and Indiana. After high school graduation she attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana and began a career in human services. Sarah’s first job in the field of social work was at Genesis, a crisis intervention program in Richmond providing service to the homeless and victims of domestic abuse. In 1993 Sarah moved to Wausau and spent the next 21/2 years as a crisis counselor with the Family Crisis Center. It was then that Sarah joined the staff of MYS as afternoon/evening youth counselor at Wings Group Home.
Sarah’s skills and past experience in crisis counseling have proved invaluable on many occasions as she has mediated many a heated situation over the past six years. We have all appreciated her even temperament and cool demeanor more than once.
Sarah has often found creative educational activities to supplement our independent living component. From the challenges of a high ropes course to simply cruising car lots to check out car/transportation costs, Sarah has contributed many ideas to enhance the experience of preparing for independent living. In addition to her regular duties as youth counselor, Sarah also escorts the boys to at least on Narcotics Anonymous meeting per week. She is also good at facilitating discussions among the boys about how to apply this new information to their own lives.
When Sarah is not working, she enjoys fishing, hiking and being an all around “outdoor girl”. We’ve all come to appreciate Sarah’s many accomplishments and contributions to our program. The boys also enjoy a solid relationship with her, in spite of the fact that she’s quite capable of holding them all accountable. This month our hat is off to Sarah. Thanks Sarah for all you do……
Early
this month the staff of MYS had the privilege of participating in a
congratulatory lunch for one of our former residents. Tony M spent
several months as a resident at Reynolds Group Home, part of a broader
community based plan to have him return successfully to his own home.
Following reunification with his family, Tony has had several very successful
months at home. To celebrate the huge accomplishments of Tony and his entire
family, a luncheon was held at the Pizza Hut in Schofield on December 10,
sponsored by Northwoods Alliance.
The great success of Tony would not have been possible without the excellent
cooperation and assistance of his family. His mom Betsy and brothers Adam and
Eric were extremely committed to Tony’s success throughout the many months of
their involvement. This was a classic example of how goals can be achieved
when everyone pulls together. Many agencies were involved in Tony’s case:
Marathon County Department of Social Services (Kathi Hupy), Northwoods
Alliance, North Central Health Care Facilities, Wausau East High School,
DCEverest Jr and Sr High Schools, Marathon County Shelter Home, as well as
staff of Reynolds Group Home.
Eric, Tony and Betsy
(Adam was unable to be present)
The entire staff of Marathon Youth Services, and Reynolds Group Home in
particular, want to sincerely thank Tony and his family for the privilege of
getting to know them, and sharing in their successes.
We had
hoped that by this time the girl’s program would be a reality. However,
unanticipated obstacles often sidetrack the best-laid plans. As it turns out,
it’s taking longer than hoped to ready the house for occupancy, and we have
now set February 1 as our target date. That should allow enough time to
complete work on the kitchen and bathroom, the two areas causing the delays.
Those of you who had the opportunity to visit the
house saw that much of the interior decorating has
been completed. We’re hoping to complete work in
the coming weeks, and ready it for final inspection.
In the meantime, we hope you’ll be considering how
MYS might be able to help meet some of your placement
and other service needs for girls.
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