MARATHON YOUTH SERVICES

NEWSLETTER

November 1, 2001

Volume 1, Issue 6

 

            As usual, it’s been another busy month for the residents and staff of the two group homes.  In addition to the regular demands of school, there have been a great many volunteer activities, as well as continuing work on the Girl’s Home.  We’re all quite excited about the progress there, and look forward to accepting placements within a month.

            Doug and the staff have also begun reaching out to surrounding counties and placing agencies to offer our full range of services beyond Marathon County.  While Wings Group Home has historically accepted placements statewide, this is a new venture for Reynolds Group Home, as well as the soon to be opened Girl’s Treatment Foster Home.  We are looking forward to expanding our horizons to include a broader client base.  An informational CD has been prepared to acquaint people with our broad range of services, and is available upon request. 

            Read on about the many 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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CONTENT

 

  1. Current Group Home Census

     
  2. November Group Home Activities

     
  3. Monthly Bio:  Jill Hytry

     
  4. Girl’s House Update

     
  5. CD Now Available!

 



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  1. One of our current residents has made tremendous strides in the past several months and is beginning a transition home. This will leave us with several current vacancies, and able to respond quickly to new referrals.  It’s always gratifying to see someone like Josh make such great progress and be successfully reunited with family.  And, of course, we will continue to support Josh and his family after his discharge, providing transitional services to insure success.

    As we announced last month, MYS is now extending its complete line of services to agencies beyond Marathon County. Not only are we accepting referrals for placement and assessments, we are also now accepting inquiries about placements for girls as well.  Feel free to contact Doug Adams at 715-842-3240 to arrange a pre-placement interview, or to simply consult with Doug and other treatment staff about your treatment needs.  Email inquiries are also accepted and can be directed to admin@marathonyouthservices.org.

     
  2. October proved once again to be a very busy month, filled with school activities/responsibilities, home visits, and community service.  Both group homes also attended an inspirational presentation put on by Immanuel Lutheran Church, presenting Billy Schneider, a nationally recognized expert/speaker, talking about his past involvement with crime, drugs and prison.  Staff reports that several residents were greatly impressed by his message.

    The boys at Wings did a great job at the Hospital Fun Days on October 6, an event sponsored by the police and fire departments.  The boys were responsible for the Hoop game and pumpkin toss, doing a very fine job with the younger kids. The boys also did some more work for one of Wings neighbors, a regular volunteer activity. During their time off from school on October 25 and 26, they also raked leaves in Ringle and Hatley.

    Since last month, the boys from Reynolds Group Home have begun to assist with activity time at Mount View Care Center, and reportedly are doing a good job.  So far they have helped out on October 3 and 10.  On October 17 they continued their volunteering at Kennedy Park as well.

    The RGH residents, and occasionally the Wings boys also, continue to be called upon by the Volunteer Center to assist in brief assignments.  This month that included helping to move a donated stone table to the Women’s Community and assisting the Center of Visual Arts in moving displays.  As usual, the feedback about the boys is always quite positive! 
    Throughout the month, the boys have helped out regularly in the remodel project at the Girl’s Home as well.  They wrapped up the month by participating in Make A Difference Day.

     
  3. In This Month’s Bio I would like to further introduce you to Jill Hytry, daytime youth worker at Wings Group Home.  Anyone who has worked with Wings during the past year has come to appreciate Jill’s dedication and persistence.  She is very highly thought of by Group Home Manager Stephanie Braski-Schuster, who has come to depend on her for that “extra effort”.

    Jill comes to Wings well trained and experienced.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, with an emphasis in Deviance and Social Control.  Jill interned with the State of Wisconsin Department of Probation and Parole and the Portage County Jail.  She also has three years of prior experience in working in group homes with both juveniles and adults.

    Always ambitious, Jill has been willing to work extra hours and take on special assignments, helping Stephanie with the finances of the group home as well as working to improve the overall efficiency of the program.  In her spare time Jill is actively involved in the Special Olympics Program, and gives of her own time for group home events as well.

    We are all very appreciative of Jill and look forward to her continued contributions to our program.  Thanks again Jill!

     

  4. Text Box:
     

     

    Text Box:

     

     

    The Girl’s Treatment Foster Home at 617 Hamilton Street is another month closer to becoming a reality.  Virtually the entire staff has been involved at one time or another in preparing the property for occupancy.  Everyone is showing a great pride in the accomplishment of turning this house into a beautifully decorated home.  As I’ve reported for the past couple of months, the boys have been helping with the renovations as well.

    Our lead staff on this remodel/redecorate project have been Maintenance Supervisor Carl Slagle, and RGH’s own Carol Gruening.  They have been assisted by a primary crew consisting of Henrietta Balz, Vernelle and Bill Carazalla, Patsy Krueger (MYS bookkeeper) and Patsy’s daughters Misty and Kristy and friend Chris Posilippo.  They have all done a super job, and we are looking forward to showing off their work in an Open House to be announced in next month’s newsletter.




















     




 




5.  Marathon Youth Services now has an Informational CD available to introduce you to our full range of services.  The
     CD will be sent to selected Counties and placing agencies, but is also available to any interested person or group who

     would like to learn more about our organization. If you wish to be provided a copy, contact Doug Adams at 715-842-

     3240, or email your request to admin@marathonyouthservices.org.   Doug is also available to come to your agency to

     present information personally, and consult about your placement and treatment needs.    

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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.



 




 

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