Nexus is launching a new initiative to build up our leaders at every level of the organization. Read about our sites' recent happenings and great youth events – plus, this is the first issue to include PATH updates!

1. Buildingleaders
A NEXUS NEWSLETTER
MAY/JUNE 2017
cornerst ne
IN THIS ISSUE
Recognize the Leader inYou 1
The Restorative Approach 2
Supporting the Mission 4
Upcoming Events 6
Nexus by the Numbers 7
Plan Ahead 9
Nexus Leads 10
Community at Mille Lacs 11
Gerard Builds Success 13
Onarga Students Prepare for
the Future 15
Indian Oaks Inspires 17
Woodbourne Growth &
Gratitude 19
Kindred Fundraising &
Advocacy 21
Glen LakeWorks with Girls 23
PATH Joins Forces 25

2. 1 | MAY/JUNE 2017
Brock Wolff
“If your actions inspire others
to dream more, learn more,
do more, and become more,
you are a leader.”
— John Quincy Adams
CEO: View from the Corner Office
When you think of Nexus leadership, do you think of
your team leader, supervisor, manager, or executive
director? If so, you’re missing the most important person
on the leadership team: you.
Everyone has the capacity to lead. If you are the person
that people look to for guidance, take on responsibility
for tasks, activities, or projects, or influence others, you
are a leader.
To be a really great organization, Nexus needs leaders in
every position. The truth is, leadership from the top down
doesn’t work very well. In a fast-paced organization such
as ours, we need a grassroots leadership culture where
every staff recognizes, embraces, and nurtures the leader
within to make a difference and inspire change.
Leadership is a choice; it isn’t necessarily a title.
Nexus has committed time and resources to partnering
with the FranklinCovey group, which will be leading
our Nexus 6th
Annual Conference this year in Matteson,
IL, and helping us kick off our organizational focus on
Building a Culture of Leaders throughout Nexus.
This year, supervisors will be invited to the conference to
learn how to empower staff at all levels to nurture their
leadership abilities.
I don’t want anyone to feel like they are being excluded
from the conference because they aren’t a “leader.” On
the contrary, this is the start to building a culture where
everyone is a leader.
Going forward, our new Nexus Staff Development
Program will have tracks for all staff to gain skills,
expertise, and professional development on an ongoing
basis. The new program is a direct response to employees’
requests for more professional development and training,
and is an important first step in nurturing our internal
leaders.
I really believe that turning our organization “inside
out” will help us a take a giant step forward in making
Nexus more agile and able to meet the changing demands
of our industry. I want to create a culture where work
is managed horizontally — where every employee is
empowered to solve problems, make decisions, and
handle conflicts.
After all, you are on the front lines of our services, and
are in a position to improve things as they happen. You
make up our teams and can create “micro-cultures” of
excellence that improve the work experience for everyone
you collaborate with.
Take pride in your work and encourage others to follow
your lead. As Steve Jobs said, “Be a yardstick of quality.
Some people aren’t used to an environment where
excellence is expected.”
Do You Recognize the Leader in You?

3. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 2
Dr. Michelle K. Murray
VP of Clinical Services
Co-authored by Paula Minske, Nexus Director of Clinical Services
The Restorative Approach
At the May 2017 Clinical Director retreat, site leaders
showcased how each residential site is working to develop
and integrate restorative approaches in the daily milieu.
The creative ways our teams are making restorative
practices a reality is impressive. Sharing successes and
gaining new ideas created an environment of renewed
energy among the clinical team.
This article outlines a basic understanding of restorative
practices as well as highlights one specific restorative
practice activity from each site.
A “restorative” practice means engaging in an interaction
or activity that will restore health, strength, or a feeling
of well-being. Within a residential milieu or a foster
home, restorative approaches are best used as preventive
measures to avoid symptomatic behavior and as a
response to challenging behavior.
Restorative practices focus on accountability and
responsibility, while also mending relationships and
building skill-sets. Restorative practices are relationship-
based, youth-guided, and they consider trauma and
reinforce individualized and strength-focused care in
response to challenging behavior.
The basic tenet of restorative practices is that positive
relationships provide the strongest motivation for people
to change, and assumes that children do well if they can
and that symptoms are adaptations developed due to
trauma and/or the underdevelopment of more effective
skill-sets.
Key questions for staff/clinical team to ask about a
client’s behavior:
1. What is the child/youth trying to accomplish with this
behavior?
2. What is the need that the child/youth is trying to
meet?
3. What would this child/youth need to know or be able
to do in order to meet their need without hurting
others?
4. What is the skill they need to develop to be more
effective?
The Clinical View
A “restorative” practice means
engaging in an interaction or
activity that will restore health,
strength, or a feeling
of well-being.

4. 3 | MAY/JUNE 2017
You know you are using a restorative practice if what
you are doing
• builds a better relationship,
• helps someone take responsibility,
• develops a needed skill-set, and
• is logical and individualized to what a client really
needs.
In addition to using basic restorative tasks in the milieu,
the sidebar at left highlights what each residential site
has done to help teams get better at utilizing restorative
practices.
Restorative Practice
at the Sites
BolderandChrysalisPrograms–Committedas
ateamtoutilizerestorativepracticesthroughoutall
levelsofcareandprogramming,resultinginadrastic
reductionandalmosteliminationofrestraints.
IndianOaksAcademy–Developedtrainingon
trauma-informedrestorativepractices.
GerardAcademy–Outlinedrestorativepracticesin
aclienthandbookandfacilitatesreparationmeetings.
MilleLacsAcademy–Workingonaplantobring
strongerde-escalationskillstrainingtostaff.
NexusGlenLake–Usinganeasy-to-followpicture
plantocreaterestorativetaskswithyouth.
OnargaAcademy–Developedatrauma-informed
restorativeguideforparentsandguardians.
WoodbourneCenter–Utilizinganoutlinedplan
ofactiontosupporttheuseofrestorativeactionsand
practices,anddevelopedadetailedindividualized
functionalbehaviorplanforunsuccessfulyouth.
Formoreideasandexamplesofwhatsitesaredoing
forrestorativepractices,pleasegotoNex-Net,Clinical
Tab,andclickonthe“RestorativeTasksandPractices”
linkonthefarleft-handcolumn.
BUILDS A BETTER RELATIONSHIP
HELPS SOMEONE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
DEVELOPS A NEEDED SKILL-SET
IS LOGICAL AND INDIVIDUALIZED TO A
CLIENT’S NEEDS
A RESTORATIVE PRACTICE...

5. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 4
Development supports an organization in a multitude of
ways. Over the past several months, Nexus Development
efforts helped launch new initiatives, expand services to
meet growing demands, and engage the community in
supporting the youth and families who count on us.
Below are a handful of examples of how Minnesota, Illinois,
and Maryland Development activities are supporting the
Nexus mission and vision:
Philanthropy Helps Launch New Initiatives
• The Sauer Family Foundation committed a first-
time, $25,000 matching grant to launch “Trauma
Drama,” an innovative therapeutic intervention helping
adolescents heal from traumatic life experiences.
Once additional funding is secured, Kindred Family
Focus CTSS staff will be trained in the intervention and
will pilot the project in the Twin Cities metro area. The
intervention will offer a unique resource for older youth
in care. A local school district already expressed interest
in bringing Trauma Drama to students.
• Mower County United Way approved a first-time
grant of $10,000 to support Gerard Community
Mental Health Services. United Way representatives
highlighted the need for more mental health resources
in the area, especially in schools. United Way funding
opens the door to future program opportunities.
The positive community response and growing demand
drives Gerard and Nexus leadership to consider how
philanthropy can bring a larger vision to fruition in the
coming years.
• Kindred Family Focus is expanding its capacity to
recruit and retain foster families as the number of
children being referred increases. Funding from the
Otto Bremer Trust ($55,000) supported the addition
of a full-time recruiter in central Minnesota, and
the Mardag Foundation ($20,000) allowed KFF
to hire a part-
time recruiter in
northeast Minnesota.
A $10,000 request
to the Northland
Foundation to add
hours to that position
is currently pending.
• The Kankakee River
Valley Community
Foundation approved
a $4,000 first-time
grant to Onarga
Academy to support
the addition of
a kitchen at the
Cornerstone Café. The
kitchen will expand
the Café’s real-life
vocational training and
skill-building program
for Onarga Academy youth.
Additional grants are pending with the Home Depot
Foundation, the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois
Counties, and other local sources, with a goal of
securing $60,000 to make the kitchen addition a
reality.
• Kindred Family Focus identified the need to expand
CTSS services in rural Ottertail County (west-
central Minnesota) and has a $40,000 request pending
with the Medica Foundation. Ottertail County Human
Services highlighted the need for CTSS services in the
rural areas of the county and is enthusiastic about KFF
hiring staff to address the need.
• Woodbourne Center secured and submitted a
number of new grant requests to support its
Development: Funding our Future
Joelene Evenson
Director of Development, MN
Bill Mojica
Director of Development, MD
Supporting the Mission

6. 5 | MAY/JUNE 2017 MAY/JUNE 2017 | 6
Vocational Program, an initiative designed to build
skills and opportunities for Baltimore-area youth.
• Kindred CARES funding is an important resource for
Kindred Family Focus foster families and youth in
their care. More than $25,000 in requests to electric
cooperatives and community foundations have been
submitted, with $3,250 secured to date.
The goal is to be more engaged in the communities
where our staff and families live and build relationships
with individual donors who can help the local and
regional efforts of KFF.
• Mille Lacs Academy is working on expanding its Kids
Kare community service program, and recently hosted
a representative from the Benton Telecommunications
Foundation; the Foundation is considering an $8,850
grant request to support Kids Kare.
The 2017 MLA golf event will also support vocational
programs, specifically a Charlie Cart — a portable
kitchen and curriculum to help youth build basic food
prep and safety skills.
EventsHelpRaiseFundstoSustainKeyPrograms
• Kindred Family Focus’ Crisis Nursery serving Wright
County saw increased support from participants at
the sold-out 2017 Spring Fundraiser, which raised
approximately $40,000 to help prevent child abuse and
neglect.
• Assured Partners and Amtrust committed to a first-
time lead sponsorship of the Onarga Academy Golf
event. They also joined Bremer Bank as lead sponsors
for the Mille Lacs Academy and Gerard Academy
tournaments. Bremer Bank expanded support to offer
matching funds for Kindred CARES donations.
• Local comedians made the first-ever Comedy Event
Fundraiser a success, raising more than $4,600 to
support Woodbourne Center summer programs.
Nexus staff and Board make a difference!
• Woodbourne Center is launching the Woodbourne
Family Campaign: an internal fundraising campaign
with campus-wide events for staff and students.
• Nexus Board members committed more than $12,000
to date to support our mission. Board members are also
making community connections and soliciting gifts to
support Nexus programs.
• Nexus staff are asking how they can help. In response,
we are rolling out new payroll deduction options for
Woodbourne CARES, Kindred CARES, and youth
and families in PATH foster care. Youth Without
Resources — a fund that supports youth in residential
care — continues to be an option for payroll deduction.
Community Outreach Builds Relationships,
Furthers the Mission
• Woodbourne Center was featured on Fox 45 Morning
News to promote Foster Care Month and the need for
foster families. They received a dozen inquiries from
prospective parents. The Woodbourne Vocational
Project was also highlighted in the Baltimore
Business Journal, resulting in significant community
response.
• More than 200 Lions Clubs in Minnesota were
contacted this month to introduce Kindred Family
Focus and invite support for Kindred CARES.
• Towson University Students spent two days
volunteering on the Woodbourne Campus, supporting
the youth and gaining insight into community needs.
• Papa John’s Pizza–Twin Cities is benefitting Kindred
Family Focus by posting foster family recruitment
flyers on 15,000 pizza boxes and supported an ongoing
promo code (“KFF”) in May to boost awareness of the
need for foster families and contributions.
• Woodbourne Center is working with several local
auto dealerships to create partnerships for the
automotive curriculum in the vocational program.
• Board members and local community philanthropists
gathered at Cargill headquarters in February to
discuss outreach and fundraising in the Twin Cities.
There are many other initiatives and outreach efforts
underway across Nexus, all designed to engage the
community in supporting our mission and the youth and
families we serve. Thanks to everyone who has been part of
the success of Nexus Development efforts!

7. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 65 | MAY/JUNE 2017
Mark your Calendar
Support the mission by participating, volunteering, or giving to
these Nexus family events!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Mille Lacs
Academy Golf Tournament and all other events so far this year. Your
time and generosity is appreciated by our staff and especially by our
youth and families who benefit from the proceeds of these events.
ONARGA ACADEMY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, August, 11, 2017
Oak Springs Golf Course, 6740 E 3500 S Road, St. Anne, IL 60964
Registration coming soon to www.OnargaAcademyEvents.org
Supports Onarga Academy youth programming.
GERARD ACADEMY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, August 21, 2017
Austin Country Club, 1202 28th St. NE, Austin, MN 55912
Registration coming soon to www.GerardAcademyEvents.org
Supports Gerard Community Mental Health Services.
TIMBER DASH 5K & KIDS FUN RUN
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Bertram Chain of Lakes, Monticello, MN
Register online at www.timberdash.com
Supports Crisis Nursery serving Wright County programming for children and families in need in Wright County.
TURKEY TROT 5K, 10K, & 1 MILE
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Fergus Falls, MN
Registration coming soon!
Supports Kindred CARES funding for foster parents and youth in their care.
Upcoming Nexus Family Events

8. 7 | MAY/JUNE 2017
The addition of the Nexus Glen Lake program and
Gerard Academy’s Outpatient Program contributed to
an increase in the total number of lives strengthened.
Additionally, Indian Oaks’ Inpatient Program through
Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL, served
nearly 300 clients with acute psychiatric needs. When
accounting for the various service offerings across each
Nexus site, our reach is plain to see: Nexus served 1,549
clients in Minnesota, 640 clients in Illinois, and 141
clients in Maryland.
While the majority of our clients are male, female clients
represent a large proposition of the youth we served, as
well. Our main population is young adults, age 13 and
older at the time of admission.
CQI: Quality Corner
Nexus by the
Numbers
Nexus continues to grow and develop as our continuum
of care expands. Quality improvement teams across
our sites worked to help gather and provide data for the
Nexus 2016 Annual Report, which will debut later this
month. Here is a sneak peek at some of the numbers.
Nexus served a total of 2,619 youth and families across
our continuum of care in three states.
Becky Schedin
Director of CQI & Research

9. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 89 | MAY/JUNE 2016
Families and referral agents expressed positivity about the
Nexus services they used. Below is a sampling of questions
from the family satisfaction surveys collected at the time
of discharge, and the percentage of families who expressed
satisfaction in the following areas:
96% of families were satisfied with the outcomes of
Nexus services!
Nexus’s vision of “Premier Provider, First Choice” can
be demonstrated through our data: of our community
partners who referred clients to residential services, nearly
100% would refer clients to Nexus services again.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Nexus Annual Report to
learn more about all we accomplished in 2016!
2016 Youth Served Demographics
Seeing the Vision

10. 9 | MAY/JUNE 2017
“I’ll be fine, I’m a safe driver.”
When we’re sober, it is easy to say we wouldn’t drive drunk.
The problem is that when we drink, we don’t think clearly
or rationally. Even if you don’t feel tipsy, alcohol alters
your brain function within a half hour of drinking, and the
effects linger for hours.1
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, drivers with a blood alcohol content of just
0.05% are twice as likely to be in a car crash. That is about
half the legal limit in most states, and the risk increases
with every sip.2
Psychoactive drugs also limit the ability to drive. Even
prescription and over-the-counter medications can increase
the risk of being in an accident. Though more research is
needed to understand the specific risks of drugged driving,
stimulants, sedatives, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics,
and cannabinoids can all influence attention, vision,
balance, motor control, concentration, decision-making,
and reaction time.3
The Governors Highway Safety Association recently
published a report4
featured on CNN5
stating that while
alcohol continues to be the nation’s greatest highway
safety problem, the number of traffic fatalities involving
psychoactive drugs recently surpassed those involving
alcohol.
Consequences of Impaired Driving
A single drunk driving infraction can have long-term
consequences.
• Being responsible for another person’s injury or death
can lead to a lifetime of guilt and remorse.
• In 42 states, your license could be suspended or
revoked.
• A single DUI conviction can raise your auto insurance
rates by an average of 30%, and in some cases, over
50%.
• Even for a first offense, many states require fees, fines,
and mandatory jail time.
• You may be required to install an ignition interlock
device that prevents your car from starting if it detects
alcohol.
• Your insurance company may deny payment for
treating injuries if you have a car accident under the
influence of controlled substances.6
Prevent the Predicament
• Always make a plan before your night out.
• Choose a designated driver, look up bus routes, or set
some money aside for a taxi or car-sharing service for
the ride home.
• Order non-alcoholic beverages when you go out alone.
• Never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking
alcohol.
• Be a good friend. If you see someone too impaired to
drive, take their keys and help them get home.
Plan Ahead
for Your Ride Home
Sources
1. Alcohol 101: Ten Facts You Didn’t Know. (2017). Warrior, AL: Bradford
Health Services. Retrieved from http://bradfordhealth.com/alcohol-101-
learning-new-facts-remembering-what-you-forgot/
2. Compton R.P., Berning A. (2015, February).Traffic Safety Facts Research
Note: Drugs and alcohol crash risk. Washington, DC: National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved from http://www.nhtsa.gov/
staticfiles/nti/pdf/812117-Drug_and_Alcohol_Crash_Risk.pdf
3. Berning A., Compton R.P., Wochiner K. (2015, February). Traffic Safety
Facts Research Note: Results of the 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey
of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers. Washington, DC: National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/
nhtsa.dot.gov/files/812118-roadside_survey_2014.pdf
4. Drug Impaired Driving: A Guide For States. (2017). Washington, DC:
Governors Highway Safety Association. Retrieved from http://www.ghsa.
org/sites/default/files/2017-04/GHSA_DruggedDriving2017_FINAL.pdf
5. Jimison, Robert. (2017, April 28). Drugged driving surpasses drunken
driving among drivers killed in crashes, report finds. CNN, Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/27/health/drugged-driving-death-rates-
report/
6. State Laws By Issue: Alcohol Impaired Driving. (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/alcohol%20impaired%20driving
Live Well: Health & Wellness

11. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 10
Nexus is jump-starting a new learning initiative to
build our culture and strengthen our leaders and teams
at every level. With stronger teams, better trust, and a
culture of leaders, we can better serve our mission and
create lasting success for staff and the youth and families
in our care.
As a reflection of that initiative, and in response to
employee surveys that indicated staff want more
professional development and training, the 2017 Annual
Conference will bring together supervisors from across
the organization for a two-day learning extravaganza,
presented by the FranklinCovey group — the force
behind the widely successful book “The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People.” The theme of this year’s event is
Nexus LEADS.
The Nexus Executive Leadership team has made an
investment in our staff and our future by partnering
with FranklinCovey to build a culture of leaders across
all sections of our organization. Attendees of this year’s
conference will have access to a full year of materials
from the FranklinCovey group, which offers participants
“powerful tools and processes to sustain learning for 52
weeks following the [conference], helping leaders engage
their teams in a completely different way.” That’s an entire
year of continued learning and development!
2017 Nexus Conference
Through this new partnership, FranklinCovey will
present workshops and lectures on both days of the
conference, reflecting former attendees’ requests for an
extended conference and more learning opportunities.
Nexus leadership will also launch Nexus’ new
professional development program at the conference.
We’ve also planned some fun events for attendees.
This year’s conference will have lasting positive
impacts on our teams, our mission, and our employees’
happiness outside of work. A recent study by Harvard
Business Review found that “employees in high-trust
organizations are more productive, have more energy at
work, collaborate better with colleagues, and stay with
their employers longer than people working at low-trust
companies. They also suffer from less chronic stress and
are happier with their lives.”
We are confident that this year’s conference will spark
greater inspiration and renewed passion that can be
shared at each site. The Nexus LEADS Conference is just
the start to building a culture of leadership; feedback
from staff surveys will continue to be addressed as we
partner with FranklinCovey to create more opportunities
to strengthen our teams across the organization.

12. MILLE LACS ACADEMY YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
11 | MAY/JUNE 2017
TAKE ME OUT
TO THE BALLGAME
TEE TIME
Record-Setting Food Drive
At Mille Lacs Academy, we try to do more than simply offer lip service to helping
our community. Of course, our mission and our work help people in our own
community, as well as communities throughout the state.
It is no secret that our neighbors
around Mille Lacs Lake have
encountered hard times, especially
as of late. We feel that it is our duty
to work with and look out for the
community in which we live and
work.
In this spirit, MLA partnered with
Onamia Pathways eight years ago to
conduct annual food drives. This year,
thanks to the generosity of our staff
and food service partner New Horizon
Foods, we donated 364 pounds of food to our local food shelf! This far surpasses
our previous record of 262 pounds in 2010. We hope this donation offers at least a
small amount of relief to our neighbors in need.
Basketball Hot Shots
The Annual “Hot Shots” competition, a long-
standing tradition at Mille Lacs Academy,
took place in March. Both youth and staff
compete in a basketball shoot-off in the MLA
gym to see who is the biggest “hot shot.”
Youth participation was outstanding this
year, and the event was well run thanks to the
Vocational Department and our staff.
MilleLacsAcademyrecentlyappliedforandwas
awardedagrantthroughTwinsCarethatwill
provideouryouththeopportunitytotakeinMajor
LeagueBaseball(MLB)thissummer!Goingtoa
majorleaguegamewillbeanewexperiencefor
manyofouryouth.Theseopportunitiesaregreat
waystojustletour“kidsbekids.” Thankyoutothe
MinnesotaTwins!
TheMilleLacsAcademy22nd
AnnualGolf
TournamenttookplaceonJune2.Itwasa
beautifuldaytobeoutonthecourse,andwe
appreciateeveryonewhocameouttosupportthe
cause.
Allproceedsfromthisyear’stournamentwillgo
towardaCharlieCart—amobilekitchenthat
connectsfoodandcookingwithlessonsinMath,
English,Science,andSocialStudies.Weareexcited
toofferthisneweducationalexperiencetoour
youth!
Caring for our
Community
MLAdonatedarecord364poundsoffood
tothelocalfoodshelf.
Staffandyouthcompetetoseewho
hasthehottestshot.

13. Mi Casa es Su Casa
Every year, Mille Lacs Academy and the New Trails
Group Home open their doors to community visitors.
The open-house event allows
MLA to showcase the campus
and facilities, and provides youth
the opportunity to interact with
outside community members.
Youth prepared and served up a
hot dog dinner for guests. Due
to weather, the entire event was
moved indoors, making for
some cozy time spent with our
neighbors.
MAY/JUNE 2017 | 12
Director’s Report
Successfulindividualsareoftenseenas
eliteswhobelievetheyarebetterthan
everyoneelse.Thismythisperpetuated
bythosewhochoosetoblametheir
lackofsuccessonnothavingtheright
opportunitiesorbreaks,insteadof
objectivelyexaminingtheirlifechoices.
Itistruethatsomearebornintoincredibleopportunity,but
thatisallitis—anopportunity.Successfulpeopleknow
thatsuccesshaslittletodowithintelligenceandeverything
todowithfocusandpersistence.Averagepeopletendto
focusonwhatisontelevisionandwhatispostedontheir
newsfeed.Successfulpeoplefocustheirefforts,energies,and
actionsonthebettermentofthemselvesandothers.They
arelaser-focusedongettingwhattheywant,nomatterhow
longittakesorhowhardtheymustwork.Thisisasimple,yet
difficultconcept.
MilleLacsAcademyisfocusingon
• trainingthatenhancesourteam’sknowledgeof
problematicsexualbehaviorsfromaclinical,testing,and
assessmentstandpoint,tobetterunderstandthepath
ourboyshavetakentogethere,andhowthoseactions
translateintotreatmentandthedailymilieu;
• creatingopportunitiesforreferralsourcesandfamily
engagementthroughworkshopsandopenhouseevents
thathelpuseducateandenhanceourpartnerships;
• coachingourmilieustafftohelpourboysthrough
life-coachingandbuildingthestaffs’owndrivetobetter
theirteamsandstriveforsuccess.
Isthiseasy?No.Recently,wehadtodealwithsometough
issuesthroughmanymeetingswithstateagenciesand
representatives.Wehadtomakesureshiftswerecovered
duringachallengingperiodtomanagesomedifficultyouth.
Wehadsometoughinternalconversationsaboutfacing
somedifficulttruthsandhowweare,attimes,ourownworst
enemy.
Isitworthit? Yes.Everysuccess,everysmallmovement,and
everyopportunityallowsustohelpourstaff,youth,families,
referralsources,andcommunitiesexperiencesuccess.
Jason Donahue
Executive Director
Youthgrilledhotdogsfor
open-housevisitors.
Guestsenjoyedacozieropenhouse,thankstotheweather.

14. GERARD ACADEMY YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
13 | MAY/JUNE 2017
New Dominion School (NDS), located on Gerard
Academy’s campus, serves a unique student population,
ranging from kindergarten to 12th
grade.
In the last three years, NDS’s capacity increased from 82
to 100 students. Of the 100 students, 93 receive residential
services at Gerard Academy. The day-student program
also expanded, from five to seven students, due to the
increasing need for schools that effectively serve students
with significant mental health and behavioral barriers.
Approximately 90% of our students receive special
education services, including many who are served in
multiple disability areas.
The NDS student population is fluid, with students
enrolling and exiting at all times of the year. We serve
approximately 190–220 students each year, with an
average enrollment length of six months.
The school is held to many standards, like maintaining
compliance to all Minnesota Department of Education
(MDE) care and treatment statutes and standards and to
the standards of the Minnesota Department of Human
Services. NDS also holds AdvancEd Performance
Accreditation.
AdvancEd is the global leader in providing continuous
improvement and accreditation services to more
than 32,000 institutions, serving 20 million students,
worldwide. Accreditation is used at all levels of education
and is recognized for effectively bolstering student
performance and continuous improvement in education.
NDS completed its External Review through AdvancEd
in March of 2017. This process included a comprehensive
evaluation guided by the results of diagnostic
instruments, in-depth review of data and documentation,
and the professional judgment by a team of qualified and
highly trained evaluators.
A series of diagnostic instruments examined the impact
of teaching and learning on student performance, the
capacity of leadership to affect continuous improvement,
and the degree to which the institution optimizes its use
of available resources to facilitate and support student
success. These three areas were measured using the
Index of Education Quality (IEQ™) on a 100–400 point
scale. NDS’s ratings were compared to the average of the
AdvancEd Network (AEN). The majority of the schools in
the AEN reflect that of a more-typical school setting and
student population. New Dominion School surpassed the
average within the AEN in all areas.
In addition, the Effective Learning Environments
Observation Tool (eleot™) measured student engagement,
attitudes, and dispositions across all NDS classrooms in
seven areas, on a scale of 1–4. The results reported by
AdvancEd compare to, or surpass, the average score in
more-typical school settings. We could not be more proud
of the results!
Building Success
New Dominion School Maintains AdvancEd Performance Accreditation:
Outcomes Yield Powerful Practices and Impressive Ratings
Danielle Theis, LICSW, Ed S., New Dominion School Administrator

15. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 14
Brent Henry
Executive Director
Director’s Report
I’vebeenreadingabookbyStephenR.
CoveyentitledPrimaryGreatness.Dr.
Coveytalksabouttwowaystolive:alife
ofprimarygreatnessoralifeofsecondary
greatness.Primarygreatnessiswhoyou
reallyare—yourcharacter,yourintegrity,
yourdeepestmotives,anddesires.
Secondarygreatnessispopularity,public
image,title,position,fame,fortune,andhonors. Primary
greatnessisontheinside;secondarygreatnessisonthe
outside.
Dr.Coveystates,“Manypeoplewithsecondarygreatness—
thatis,socialrecognitionfortheirtalents—lackprimary
greatnessorgoodnessintheircharacter.Soonerorlater,you’ll
seethisineverylong-termrelationshiptheyhave,whether
itiswithabusinessassociate,aspouse,afriend,orateenage
childgoingthroughanidentitycrisis.Itischaracterthat
communicatesmosteloquently.AsEmersononceputit,‘What
youareshoutssoloudlyinmyearsthatIcannothearwhatyou
aresaying.’”
Manypeopleconfusesuccesswithprimarygreatness.That
means,theydoeverythingpossibletolooksuccessfulonthe
outside,whilehidingfromwhotheyareontheinside.
Thebeautyisthatwhilecharacterchangeisnoteasy,itis
possible.Wecanchangebecausewehavethepowertochoose
howwewillact.Behaviorismteachesdeterminism—that
wecannotactforourselves.However,thereisaspacebetween
stimulusandresponsecalledfreedomofchoice;thisiswhere
growthandchangearefound.
Iwouldsuggestthattheindividualswhoaremostsuccessful
atGerardAcademyarehighinprimarygreatness.Forthose
individuals,someformofsecondarygreatnessgenerally
follows.Dr.Coveyoncesaidthatthewaytocreateatotal
qualitycompanyistocreateatotalqualityperson.Healso
definedleadershipthisway,”Leadershipiscommunicatingto
anotherpersontheirworthandpotentialsoclearlytheyare
inspiredtoseeitinthemselves.”Ourchallengeistoinspire,lift,
andprovidetoolsforchangeandgrowthforthestaff,youth,
andfamiliesweserve,andwecannotdothatwithoutprimary
greatness.”
The outcomes achieved with our unique student population
are the result of many factors:
• School administration ensures that the NDS team is
certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention to establish
and maintain an understanding of the traumatized brain.
This clinically informed lens, and its corresponding
interventions, allows the team to interact effectively with
children in crisis.
• We enhanced our Performance Tracking System to
include visual charts and graphs, which guide the
evaluation of our students’ progress academically and
behaviorally. This data is a powerful new tool to bolster
effective strategic planning in our student support teams.
• The NDS special education team continues to expand
their resources to support the mental health and
academic needs of our students.
• We developed an electronic manual that defines the
specific supports and strategies that our kids require, and
maintained compliance through due process. Our student
support teams are clinically-informed, data-driven,
solution-focused, and goal-oriented.
Our professional team at NDS is our strongest asset. We are
collectively driven to understand the barriers our students
experience and implement individually-based strategies that
maximize their success. We discuss the holistic experience
of the child, including their mental health diagnoses, current
perceptions of themselves and others, information processing
strengths and deficits, and interactional skills, to determine
the best course of action for each student. Our stakeholders
and team members take extreme pride in supporting each
other to reach our complex population. It is our privilege to
serve these deserving kids.

16. ONARGA ACADEMY YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
15 | MAY/JUNE 2017
Grand Prairie School
Students Prepare for the Future
SAVE THE DATE
TheOnargaAcademyGolfOutingreturnsfor
its24th
year!Teamregistrationandsponsorship
opportunitieswillbeavailablesoonat
www.OnargaAcademyEvents.org.
Place:OakSpringsGolfCourse
6740E3500SRoad,St.Anne,IL60964
Date:Friday,August11,2017
Time:11:30a.m.RegistrationOpens
1:00p.m.ShotgunStart
5:00p.m.DinnerServed
Cost:$100pergolfer
MiscellaneousDetails:
• 4-PersonScramble
• Registrationfeeincludes18-holegreenfee,golf
cart,giveaways,lunch,anddinner
• Foodandbeveragesprovidedthroughoutthe
day
• PrizesforLongestDrive,ClosesttothePin,and
LongestPutt
Graduation has rolled around again! On June 1, 2017, nine high-school
students were handed their diplomas. This is a tremendous step for our
young men; staff at Grand Prairie School worked diligently over the past
year to meet their individual needs. After graduation, some students will be
attending community college, and others will be entering the workplace.
Eight middle-school students were also recognized during the graduation
ceremony, as part of their promotion to high school.
“This is always an exciting time of year for both the teachers and for the
boys,” said Jessie Marquis, Assistant Principal. “Graduation is a time of
reflection, as well as looking forward, and we’re confident that our young
men are taking steps to go on to do great things.”

17. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 16
DennisWiley
Executive Director
Director’s Report
Summerisfastapproaching,
markinganotherseasonof
changeatOnargaAcademy.
Wehavewatchedanother
high-schoolclassgraduate,
andourstaffarehardatwork
helpingthemtransitioninto
thenextphasesoftheirlives.Forsome,thismeans
attendingcollege,whileotherswillgodirectlyinto
theworkforce.Ourgoalistoteacheveryyouththe
skillstheyneedtobesuccessfulbeyondOnarga
Academy,andourgraduatesarebeginningtoput
thosetoolstothetest.
Vocationalskillsareessentialtopreparingyouthfor
thefuture.AtOnargaAcademy,wehavemultiple
opportunitiesforouryouthtogainworkskills,
whetherthatisworkingwiththemaintenance
team,intheIndustrialArtsworkshop,withfood
service,orattheCornerstoneCafé.TheCaféhas
beguntakingstepstodevelopouryouths’culinary
skillsbyhostinganothersummerofGrillWorks
Thursday,whereyouthprepareandsellmade-to-
orderhotdoglunches.Vocationalandtransferable
jobskillsarejustoneofthemanyconcentrationsof
ourcare.
Thissummer,we’llcontinuetofocusonfundraising
toprovideopportunitiesthatmeetandexceed
ouryouths’treatmentgoals.TheCornerstoneCafé
isseekingfundstobuildafull-servicekitchento
offermoreculinaryjobskills.Inaddition,thefunds
raisedfromourAnnualGolfOutingwillallowus
tocontinueprovidingqualityservicetoouryouth.
Thesupportfromourhardworkingstaffandthe
graciouscommunityhelpusachieveourmissionof
strengtheninglives.
Grill Works Thursday is Back Again!
Summertime means
enjoying the sunshine and
pulling out the grill. We
can’t always promise you
sunshine in fussy Illinois,
but the Cornerstone
Café and Gallery can
promise classic, grilled,
Chicago-style hot dogs and
bratwursts every Thursday
this summer!
Each Thursday,
beginning June 8, join the
Cornerstone Café and Chef
Woody for our famous
Grill Works Thursday. For
just $5, you can get a meal of a Chicago-style hot dog, chips, a
drink, and dessert.
“It has become the ‘go-to’ place on Thursdays,” said Café Manager
Debra Foulks. “We’re thrilled we could bring a great product at a
great price to our community!”
Serving approximately 70 people each Thursday, Grill Works has
blossomed since its first year. Answering the question of “what’s for
lunch” between all the kids’ summertime activities, the Café has
brought a taste of Chicago to rural Illinois.
The Cornerstone Café opened in 2010 as a creative venue for
the community to grab a cup of coffee and browse local art, or
gather for an event in the Upper Room. Part of Onarga Academy’s
vocational program, the Café provides an opportunity for youth
to develop real workplace skills. The Café is in the process of
fundraising to renovate the building to include a commercial-grade
kitchen, thus expanding its opportunities — and its menu — to the
youth and the community.
Swing by the Cornerstone Café at 114 N. Oak in Onarga from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday this summer — rain or shine — for
dine-in or carry-out!

18. INDIAN OAKS ACADEMY YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
17 | MAY/JUNE 2017
Trips of Inspiration
MORALE BOOSTERS
IOA’sWeCareCommitteefocusesonemployee
moraleandretention,andspreadsapositivevibe
acrosscampus.“Weworktoliftupstaffandpromote
strength,”explainedcommitteeco-chairBrooke
Sanchez.“It’simportanttoourculture.”
Thisenthusiasticgroupisexceptionalatrecognizing
ourstaffwithbirthdaycardsandcookies,random
actsofkindness,andsocialevents.WeCarealso
recruitspeopleforYouthWithoutResources,and
reviewseachrequest.
Asaspringkick-offforWeCare,thecommittee
visitedeveryprogramandshift(bothonandoff
campus)witharollingrafflecart.Staffgotfree
chancesatavarietyofgiftbaskets,plusDairyQueen
coupons,andmore.
Co-chair,Dr.MarkJordan,saysit’saboutmorethan
rafflesandevents.“Wegoouttothecampusatlarge
totalkwithstaff,handoutgiftcards,makethat
connection.It’saboutbringingbacktheold-school,
personaltouchtoconnectwithourstaff.”
CORNERSTONE
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
IOA’s2017Cornerstone
Scholarshipwaspresentedto
GraceMasterson.The$1,000
scholarshipisawardedtoa
graduatingMantenoHigh
Schoolseniorwhowillstudy
Psychology,SocialWork,or
SpecialEducationatauniversity
orcommunitycollege.Mastersonwillbegina
psychologymajorthiscomingfall.
EYC at ONU
Part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. A college tour
can help determine whether a college is the right place for you. For youth
on our Empowering Youth Committee (EYC), it did much more. “Most of
our youth never entertain the idea of attending four-year university,” said
Monique Davis, Aftercare Coordinator and EYC Chair. “After high school,
they may be familiar with community college at best.”
So, the EYC staff members planned a college visit to local Olivet Nazarene
University (ONU) for seven youth who are elected to the committee.
On tour day, the group met with Olivet Admissions Representative and
Traveling Recruiter Brandon Maranion. He provided an overview of ONU
and engaged the kids in a game of “College Jeopardy.” Placed on two teams
(boys vs. girls), the kids answered questions from Admissions, Community
Service, Sports and Recreation, and Intro to College categories. The boys
won in a tie-breaker question.
ONU student tour guide, Zach Tamez, took the EYC group to the Eternal
Flame, where he spoke about the school’s Christian principles and the values
each student is held to. Next was
the chapel, the campus bookstore,
and student center, where our
kids asked about campus life,
student interactions, clubs, and
organizations. Last on the tour was
the recreation center to see the
swimming pool, lazy river, rock
climbing wall, and more. Some of
the kids even took to the court. The
day wrapped up with a look at the
outdoor campus planetarium and
greenhouse.
The simple act of visiting a college
campus started a new way of
thinking for our youth, as they
consider the possibility of starting a
new journey after high school.
OuryouthtestedoutthecourtatONU.

19. Coolest Incentive Trip Ever
Safe Harbor students recently traveled to the Chicago
headquarters of Cards Against Humanity, an irreverent board
game created by eight friends from Highland Park High
School. The community-minded company provides an outlet
for local creatives, and welcomes student groups who want to
tour their unique workspace and community media studio.
The company named their new
10,000-square-foot converted
warehouse “Some Office,”
to be discreet and maintain
privacy. Inside the main
entrance and past the bike racks
and shipping area, the main
workspace spreads out around
a series of decommissioned and
redecorated shipping containers,
all of which previously held
Cards Against Humanity
products on their overseas trip
from China (pictured above). Currently, about 30 people use
Some Office, working in game design, graphic design, and web
development. Private workspaces within the containers, as
well as offices in the back, accommodate meetings and serve
as breakout rooms. The rear office space also includes a Lego
Room — undoubtedly our kids’ favorite part of the office.
In addition to learning about jobs in game and graphic
design, the students learned how to make a recording in the
podcasting studio. They also toured the curated gallery space
for Chicago artists; print studio with risograph; dark room and
screen-printing area; and the black box theatre, which is used
for lectures, comedy shows, and movie nights. The theatre
lights, taken from a local CBS studio, were actually used
during the Kennedy-Nixon debates.
After a movie, popcorn, and parting gifts, our students headed
back to Safe Harbor, grateful for the crew at Some Office, who
showed them what IS possible.
MAY/JUNE 2017 | 18
Mary Ann Berg
Executive Director
Director’s Report
Springisalwaysaflurryofactivities
atIOA,andthisyearisnoexception.
Staffarebusytraining,ouryouth
wentonauniversitytour,our
programsheldcelebrations,and
wecontinuetokeepfocusedonthe
missionofstrengtheninglives.
WewereluckytowelcomeStacySloan,DCFSHuman
TraffickingCoordinator,tocampusfortraininginApril.
Sloanisthestate’sforemostexpertonhumantrafficking,
andhasalonghistoryofadvocatingforexploited
children.
TheFlightSchoolboys’programheldtheirthird-annual
AviatorAwardsrecognitionprogramforyouthandstaff,
withmanyfamiliesinattendance.
LisaWatson,ClinicalDirectorofourgirls’Soundwaves
Program,rockedatrainingontherestorativeapproachfor
theentirecampus.Weappreciatethecountlesshoursshe
putintoprepareforandprovidethistraining.
TheEmpoweringYouthCommitteetouredalocal
university,andcontinuestoparticipateinatrainingpanel
fornewhires.
Wecelebratedamilestoneofoneofourfounding
employees,Dr.AmberResidori,asshereceivedher
doctoratefromOlivetNazareneUniversity(ONU),where
sheisnowDeanoftheSchoolofLife&HealthSciences.
ResidorileftIOAin2014,after20-plusyearsofserviceto
ourmission.
Shewill
alwaysbe
connected
tous,asshe
takeslessons
learnedat
IOAinto
theONU
classroom.
HercollaborationandsupportforIOAhaveprovidedus
withvaluablestudents,interns,andemployees.
Dr.Residoricamebackforacampustourand
surprisecakecelebratingherdoctoratedegree.

20. WOODBOURNE CENTER YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
19 | MAY/JUNE 2017 MAY/JUNE 2017 | 18
Young Men’s Conference
The Young Men’s Conference came back for a second successful year, after great
student demand. The conference grew to include all students instead of only soon-
to-be graduates. The focus also expanded to address subjects such as fatherhood
and self-discovery, on top of career choices and job-hunting.
Therapist Monifa Wilson and Transition Specialist Jenelle Vesprey-Pailin
organized this year’s conference, with the help of last-year’s organizer, English
Teacher Terry Kendall-Johnson.
Woodbourne welcomed Baltimore Councilman Bill Henry, activist P.K. Boone;
a member of an advocacy organization, Darlene Cain; Vice President of Small
Banking for First National Bank-Maryland, Kelly Fox; blogger and podcast host,
Mariah K. Moon; and Owner and Founder of All A’s Lawn and Garden and All A’s
Home Improvement, Michael Wynder, to speak on campus.
Woodbourne staff also spoke. Terry Kendall-Johnson led the youth in making
homemade stress balls. Curtis McNeill, a Direct Care Practitioner, talked about
his career at Woodbourne and his experience as an actor in movies and onstage.
Robert Cure, Direct Care Practitioner, spoke about fatherhood, and many youth
opened up about difficult experiences with their own fathers. Multiple speakers
discussed their journey and hardships with openness and sensitivity, and made
for another great event for our youth.
Comedy Benefit Fundraiser
Woodbourne held its first Comedy Benefit Fundraiser at the Baltimore Comedy
Factory, raising more than $4,600 for youth summer programming. The evening
consisted of sets by four local comedians, a 50-50 cash raffle, and an auction.
Former Maryland Senator and Woodbourne Lobbyist John A. Pica, Jr., hosted
the event, which featured comedians Kathy Carson, Alabama, Joe Recca, and
headliner Mickey Cucchiella. IT Coordinator Justin Grier volunteered as the
evening’s DJ.
Staff from the Development, Human Resources, and Quality Improvement
departments formed a committee to plan the fundraiser. The idea came from
Woodbourne staff Gina Cucchiella as both of her brothers — one a well-known
local comedian, the other a general manager of the Baltimore Comedy Club, the
event’s venue — have worked comedy fundraisers before.
Growth & GratitudeSTAFF
SPOTLIGHT:
JUSTIN GREER
WhenITCoordinatorJustin
GrierjoinedWoodbourne
CenterlastApril,we
quicklyfoundoutthatwe
alsoaddedaDJtoourstaff.SomeofGrier’sfondest
memoriesatWoodbourneincludedeejayingforyouth
andstaffevents.
“Iwasabletoshowsomeclientshowtomixsome
ofthemusicandlearnhowtousetheearinorderto
catchthebeat,”Griersays.“Afterthatday,clientscame
uptomeasking‘Mr.Justincanyouonedayteachme
howtoDJ?’and‘Mr.Justin,canyouDJanotherparty
forus?’”
“IwillalwaysgivebacktoWoodbourneanddeejayfor
theclientsordonatetimetomentorcertainclientsin
thisaspect.” ServingyouthdrewGriertoWoodbourne.
“IlovedwhatWoodbournestandsfor,”hesays.“We
needcompanieslikeWoodbournehereinthisstate.
I’veworkedwithtroubledkidsbefore,andI’mfor
improvingthesenextgenerations.”
GrierrecentlycompletedoneofhisbiggestIT
accomplishmentsatWoodbourne:deployingWindows
10onallofthecampus’120-pluscomputersinseven
days.HespeaksofhisappreciationforRickMartinand
JamesRoth,ITCoordinatorsatNexusAdministration
andOnargaAcademy,respectively, fortheirimmense
helpinthisfeat.“Icansaythatwhenitcomesto
gettingthingsdone,ourITteamacrossthesitesare
definitelyhardanddedicatedworkers,”saysGrier.
“Afterthosesevendays,theteamandIworkedday
andnighttosolveotherissuesasthisnewsystemwas
completed.”
LastJune,Griercompletedthechallengeofrunning
cables,installing,andprogramming40cameras,as
wellasupgrading40mobiledevices.Healsosetup
andactivated120phonesforthecampus.
“EverythingthatIdohelpsaclientinsomeformor
fashion,”hesays.“Myinteractionswiththeclients
plusthegrowthIseeinthemhere,inspiremetowork
harderandjustbecomeabetterindividualforthem.”

21. “I think anything to do with comedy and people laughing is a win/
win,” Gina said in response to the evening’s success. “It was also easy
to do because the group of us, it was an easy team to work with.
Everyone was so willing and open, and there was good camaraderie.”
A Club for Gentlemen
“We want to show our young men that no matter what negative
imagery you see on a daily basis, they can be the leader that creates
positive change around them, no matter the atmosphere,” says Darron
Edwards, Unit Coordinator and Shift Supervisor. To achieve this,
Edwards and Recreation Specialist, Lee Cooper, have created “A Club
for Gentlemen.”
This club centers around skills and professional development, and
specialized mentoring. The club, formed in April, meets every other
Thursday and consists of a 12-week curriculum with topics such
as “Understanding Your Feelings,” “Etiquette in Public Places,”
“Employment Etiquette,” and “Understanding Positive Problem-
Solving.” Participants follow a list of rules and expectations, and are
required to wear a shirt and tie to meetings.
Edwards and Cooper believe in the importance of preparing youth
for life after Woodbourne, and hope to instill the tools to build self-
awareness, compassion for others, and leadership in these young men.
Their goal is to build a long-lasting foundation for these boys while
they learn more about themselves.
The club is already creating new connections for the youth. “My
favorite memory so far is seeing the camaraderie between the young
men who would never interact outside of the club,” Edwards says.
“It’s great to see young men who often judge one another have open
conversations about real-life issues that most of them can relate to.
This group shows what conversations, and the ability to let go of
judgments, can do for anyone with an open mind.”
Even clinical staff are noticing a change in the club members; their
self-esteem has increased by having a new forum where they feel
comfortable expressing themselves. “Young men who are usually shy,
timid, or ashamed about insecurities they’ve had for years are now
stepping up, feeling comfortable about speaking publicly in front of
their peers, becoming confident and leaders within their own right,”
Edwards says.
“They walk around campus and you see the confidence and pride they
take in being a part of something unique. It’s great to see the glow on
their faces.”
MAY/JUNE 2017 | 20
AnthonyWilson
Executive Director
Director’s Report
Irecentlyhadtheopportunityto
spendsometimewithourcourageous
TreatmentFosterCare(TFC)parents
duringFosterCareMonthinMay.The
amazingindividualswhomakeupthis
communityhavediversebackgrounds,
preferences,andlifeexperiences.They
haveallsteppeduptotheplatetoopen
uptheirhomestoyoungpeoplewhohaveamultitudeof
dynamicsthatfosterparentsaddressdaily.Iamsoimpressed
withtheamountofcommitmentandperseverancethatthey
showeveryday.
TreatmentFosterCarestaffalsojoinedusforthemeeting.
Theteam—MelanieBrunson,ChayaCaine,Katherine
Heinz,TerriJohnson,JenniferKolze,andAngelicaMooney
—workhardtoprovidefosterparentsasmuchsupportas
possible.Theyarealwaysopentosuggestionsandhearing
aboutwhatareasmayneedimprovementorhowwecan
providemoresupport.
IwouldliketorecognizeMs.LorraineCarter,whohasbeen
afosterparentwiththeWoodbourneCenterfor21years!
Sheisanexcellentparentandhasbeenatremendous
resourceforourkids. Overthese21years,shehasmade
apositiveimpactonallofthekids’liveswhohavecrossed
herpath.IwouldalsoliketohighlightYvetteandAnthony
Hawkins,whoarealsolong-standingWoodbournefoster
parents. Yvette,withsupportfromherhusband,just
completedwritingabookentitledEncasedinIce…Painand
PlauditsofFosterCareParenting.ThebookcentersonYvette’s
experiencesasafosterparentfromapracticalperspective.
Shesaysthatthe“cold,toughexteriorthatfosterchildren
displaysimplyneedstobethawedoutsothattheirtrue
identitiescanberevealed.”
Lastly,Iwantedtoidentifytheparentsthatwereableto
sharehonestfeedbackwithmeandwiththeTreatment
FosterCarestaffthatday:Ms.SharonFieldsBass,Ms.Sharon
Byers,Ms.AnnGodwin,Ms.AnelleHenry,JaniceandYvette
Oglesby,andMs.SandraWallace.Allofthemdoanexcellent
job,andweareluckytohavethem.Wehavemanymore
parentswhowerenotabletojoinusforthemeeting,but
theyareallinvaluabletoourteam.

22. KINDRED FAMILY FOCUS YOUTH AND FAMILY SOLUTIONS
A FAMILY MEMBER
21 | MAY/JUNE 2017
CRISIS NURSERY
SPRING FUNDRAISER
A local cause has the power to bring a community closer together and create
a lasting impact for the beneficiaries. This concept sparked Kindred Family
Focus Development and Communications Coordinator Alison Sherman to
launch a grassroots fundraising and advocacy campaign.
With this campaign, Kindred Family Focus (KFF) is hoping to empower the
communities served by the organization, and increase the investment and
participation in the KFF cause.
Sherman said, “The significant increase in child neglect and abuse cases,
and the growing and critical need for more foster parents, is my key
message. There is a lack of public awareness about this situation. This kind
of decentralized grassroots effort builds real, sustainable support in many
areas, including recurring contributions.”
The need for foster parents is continually growing as more children are
taken out of their homes due to the opioid abuse epidemic. While this shift
in regulations is good for the children’s safety, it is causing an even greater
strain on the foster care industry. Recruiting foster parents is just part of the
reason Sherman is sharing the KFF mission with Minnesota communities.
She also is seeking donations, volunteers, and other resources that can help
foster families and youth in care.
During her conversations with local organizations, Sherman makes sure to
keep the focus on who in their community is benefiting from KFF services
and why these organizations should know what is being, and can be, done
on behalf of foster parents and youth in their care.
Working at the grassroots level, Sherman is reaching out to local electric
cooperatives, service organizations, and churches; she hopes to begin
connecting with local businesses and tabling at community events. Her
work has already sparked some support!
Golden Valley Rotary Club had Sherman, KFF Executive Director George
Hendrickson, and Nexus Director of Development Joelene Evenson share at
a recent meeting how KFF is working to provide much-needed services to
vulnerable children.
On April 21, 2017, the Crisis Nursery serving
Wright County held its board game-themed
19th
Annual Spring Fundraiser.The event
celebrated the 25th
year of operation for the
Crisis Nursery with one of the most successful
fundraisers in its history.
Attendees packed the ballroom at River City
Extreme in Monticello to support the local
cause and enjoy a night of entertainment.
Advisory Board member and Director of Family
Youth Community Connections (FYCC), Sandy
Greninger, brought the room to tears with her
keynote speech about her personal story of
being a young mom in crisis.
Attendees bid the night away on more than
130 auction items that were donated, raising
nearly $43,000.
Guests finished out the night with an
outstanding performance by Rock It Man
Entertainment’s dueling pianos. Proceeds
from the fundraiser will benefit children and
families in need inWright County.
Grassroots Fundraising
& Advocacy

23. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 22
Director’s Report
ThemergerofPATHMNandKindred
FamilyFocushasofferedthe
affirmationsweanticipated.Wehave
learnedthatouragenciesaremore
similarthandifferent:ourvaluesand
servicesalign,andfamiliesandfoster
parentsdemonstrateacommitment
thatbothagenciesembrace,
reinforcingthevalueofjoiningtogether.
Iammostimpressedwithouremployeesandproudtobe
partofthegoodwork.Wespentconsiderabletimeinopen
discussion,puttingourhistoriesbehindusandfocusingon
whatwecouldachievetogether.Ourfostercareprograms
nowservemorethan280youtheachday,plusthemany
clientsservedinourothercommunity-basedprograms.
Iunderstandthedifficultyinlosinganagencyname,and
thereputationandhistorythatgoesalongwithit;Kindred
experiencedthisafewyearsago.Presentingthemerged
KindredFamilyFocusentityisessentialtomovingforward.
Beingalargeragency,servingmoreclients,havingalarger
footprintthroughoutthestate,andbringingtogether
ourreputationspositionsKFFtobeastrongerleaderin
community-basedservices.
Oneofourbiggestchallengesismovingbothagencies
intothesameinformationsystem,Evolv. PATHhasa
newerversionthanKFF,sowearecurrentlyworkingintwo
systemsuntilthetransitioniscomplete.Inthemeantime,
ourenergiesarefocusedonaligningtheagenciesintoone.
I’mappreciativeoftheenergy!Thepossibilitiesare
unlimited.Herearesomeinitiativesthatareintheworks:
1. Wehavealargefoster-homerecruitmentinitiativein
play.
2. Wecreatedasouthernregiontofunction
independentlyofourMetrooffice.
3. Ourschool-basedclinicalservicesrecentlyreceived
outstandingsupporttofurtherdevelopinamiddle-
schoolsetting.
4. Twoofficesaremovingtonewsites.
5. Wearereviewingouragencystandardsandpractice
manualtoreflectthebestofbothagencies.
Theseareexcitingtimes. Welcomeaboard,PATHMN!
George Hendrickson
Executive Director
In partnership with Going Places MN, Sherman represented
KFF at Minnetonka United Methodist Church to share
the need for foster parents, garner support for the KFF
programs, and collected personal care item donations to fill
suitcases for youth in foster care.
Through Operation Round Up programs, four generous
donations were made to Kindred CARES so far – $500 from
the Itasca-Mantrap Cooperative; $1,000 from the People’s
Energy Cooperative of Oronoco; $1,000 from South Central
Electric; $750 from Minnesota Valley Electric.
“Every avalanche starts with one little snowflake,” said
Sherman. “The more people statewide who get the message,
the better off the kids in KFF’s care will be.”
Shermanaccepteda$500checkfromtheItasca-MantrapCooperativeforKindredCARES.
ThePeople’sEnergyCooperativeofOronocodonated$1,000toKindredCARES.

24. 23 | MAY/JUNE 2017
As a specialized residential program specifically for
girls, Nexus Glen Lake (NGL) is on a mission to better
define the unique needs of adolescent females in care.
While recognizing the unique needs of girls has been a
required training topic for years, NGL is committed to
approaching this idea in a more creative way. Training
protocols that address the unique needs of girls often
offer an over-simplified, inaccurate perspective on the
differences between the genders: girls are more relational,
girls value their appearance. While these things may be
true as a generalization of the female gender, there is
more complexity to the differences found in girls than is
often represented in trainings.
During New Employee Training, staff at NGL are
exposed to a new way of conceptualizing gender and
sexuality.
The Genderbread Person is an info-graphic that breaks
down gender identity, gender expression, biological
sex, and sexual orientation. It is supported by the
Working with Girls
organization itspronouncedmetrosexual.com as a way of
encouraging people to think differently about the idea of
gender and sexuality. “Gender is a tough subject to tackle.
There are a lot of facets to consider, a lot of pressures at
play, and we have all been conditioned in such a way that
our first instinct is almost unanimously wrong. But we’re
going to tackle it,” writes the organization.
NGL does not advertise a specific value or belief around
gender and sexuality, but we do ask staff to be open to
how our clients choose to identify as a way of being
therapeutically supportive in our treatment environment.
Additionally, staff are asked to review the training
provided by the American Psychological Association
(APA) regarding the unique needs of girls in treatment.
The training says, “For a complex set of reasons, most
of what is known about adolescent girls focuses on
the problems they face. The fact that many adolescent
girls are showing remarkable strength, resiliency, and
“hardiness” during the stressful time of adolescence
needs to be explored. Instead
of focusing on the storm and
stress of adolescence, a new
understanding of adolescent
girls that affirms their strength
and resilience needs to be
developed. Although the
current-day risks and stresses in
the lives of adolescent girls must
be understood, they should
not be the defining factors in
discussions of adolescent girls.
There must be a focus on what is
working for adolescent girls and
why to assist adolescent girls in
navigating these risks during
their development.” APA goes
on to provide ideas regarding
the following topics related to
the unique needs of girls:

25. • Gender: Gender is a psychological and cultural term that refers
to the meanings attached to being female or male in a particular
culture. It is distinct from sex, which refers to the biological
aspects of being male or female.
• Gender and Self-Esteem: Girls have higher expectations of
success than boys in their general academic abilities across
domains and in their social skills. Many adolescent girls still
believe there is an inherent conflict between feminine goals and
values and competitive achievement activities. This belief limits
their future opportunities. For many adolescent girls, sensitivity
to failure limits their willingness to take risks for higher rewards
or more-demanding opportunities.
• Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating: During
adolescence, girls are challenged to come to terms with the
physical changes of puberty, including considerable weight
gain. As adolescent girls attempt to reconcile the reality of their
bodies with the unrealistic and unattainable cultural demands
for female thinness, large numbers of girls experience intense
body image dissatisfaction.
• Adolescent Girls of Color: Major studies on adolescent
development are flawed by the presence and absence of certain
groups of girls of color, a lack of reliable data on the economic
status of the households of some groups of adolescent girls of
color, a failure to address the roles of race and gender, and a lack
of information regarding the racial-ethnic identity of research
participants.
• Friendships and Peer Relationships: Early adolescence appears
to be especially stressful on adolescent girls’ friendships and
peer relations, signified by a sharp increase in indirect relational
aggression. More typical of girls and more distressful to girls
than to boys, relational aggression, characterized by such
behaviors as spreading rumors or threatening withdrawal of
affiliation, appears to emerge as girls’ attempt to negotiate
current power relations and affirm or resist conventional
constructions of femininity.
The APA also provides information related to Sexuality and Sexual
Decision-Making, School and Community, Dating Violence, Teen
Prostitution, and more.
While certainly not exhaustive, the training provided at NGL
encourages staff to understand the needs of girls in a complex and
open way. We recognize that girls are not simply “different than
boys,” and they aren’t characterized by their favorite color choices
or makeup preferences. We see girls as strong, independent, and
resilient people; people who have the right to choose who they are
and how others perceive them.
MAY/JUNE 2017 | 24
Michael Franke
Residential Program
Director
Director’s Report
ForthosewhomIhaven’tmet,Iwould
liketoformallyintroducemyself.My
nameisMichaelFranke,andIamthe
newResidentialProgramDirectorfor
NexusGlenLake. IhavebeenwithNGL
since2015,joiningasClinicalDirector
shortlyaftertheprogramopened;Iam
eagertoserveinmynewrole.
Ourprogramhasundergonesignificantleadershiptransition
overthepasttwomonths,butwithtransitioncomes
forwardmovementandnewenergy.Weareoptimisticthat
thenewtalentatNGLwillallowustosuccessfullybuild
uponthebasecreatedbythosebeforethem.Iwouldliketo
welcomeournewClinicalProgramDirector,LisaHill,MA,
LMFT,totheteam. Lisahassignificantcompetencyinthe
areasofmood,trauma,andanxiety,andexperiencewith
programdevelopment.
Wealsoacquirednewtalentinourclinicalandprogram
leadership.ClinicalTherapistMeredithBilse,MS,LMFT,has
experienceprovidingtherapyservicestoyouthandadults
diagnosedwithAutismandothersevereandpersistent
mentalillnesses.KendraBecker,MilieuSupervisor,comes
toourprogramwithvaluablesupervisoryexperiencefrom
anotherresidentialtreatmentcenterinourregion.Ourown
ErinDitmarsonwaspromotedtoMilieuSupervisor.Shewill
nowtakeonanevenmoreinfluentialroleintheprogram.
Thesenewleadersarecrucialtothedevelopmentofallnew
programandtrainingideas.
Incomingmonths,Ihopetotakestepsinourcontinuing
developmentbybringinginmorestructureand
programmingtosupportourstaffastheyteachclients
more-effectivecopingstrategiesandwaysofgettingtheir
emotionalneedsmet.Ialsowanttoimproveourstaff
trainingbyutilizingtheexpertiseofourownclinicalteam
andoutsideresources.Forexample,wearewelcominga
representativefromtheMinnesotaOrganizationonFetal
AlcoholSyndrome(MOFAS)tofacilitatetrainingforourstaff
onworkingwithclientswithFASD.
OnbehalfoftheNGLteam,Iwanttothankeveryonewho
hashelpedourprogramdevelop,andaskforthecontinued
supportofallstakeholdersinourongoingdevelopment.

26. 25 | MAY/JUNE 2017
Joining Forces
Looking back and summarizing PATH North Dakota’s
past is not easy. There are many viewpoints, many
stories, many programs, but what is most important
are the people and the values. PATH North Dakota
started in January 1994, after a few years of running a
small state Therapeutic Foster Care program. Current
PATH ND CEO, Bill Metcalfe, headed up this new
non-profit, absorbing several state staff. Part of that
initial program included both Bobbi Geiger, Executive
Director of PATH Idaho, and Janice Tishmack,
Regional Director for the Southwest Area of PATH
North Dakota, who are both still with us today.
From the outset, PATH established critical core values
and commitment. These included
• an intense commitment to the highest standards,
meaning lower caseloads where the program is
sufficiently intense to serve as an alternative to
most forms of more-restrictive residential care;
• making the child’s own family an integral part
of the treatment process because the concept of
family is the core aspect of treatment;
• a team approach where treatment staff and foster
parents make decisions and work together.
Due to early financial limitations and locations, PATH
North Dakota chose a tack of significant growth to
achieve economies of scale. Significant commitment
was made to serving Native American populations
in North Dakota. To contend with disproportionate
placement in our system, PATH opened an office on
the Turtle Mountain Reservation, co-locating tribal
social services.
Additionally, early on, PATH North Dakota
developed family-based services utilizing foster
NORTH DAKOTAPATH A FAMILY MEMBER
parents to work with a child’s own family to help
prevent placement in Treatment Foster Care and
residential treatment centers.
Our growth took us into Idaho in 2009, where we
currently offer Treatment Foster Care.
Other major points of development include PATH
contracting with independent living services with the
state of North Dakota, and contracting with the state
and Catholic Charities for all special needs adoptions.
North Dakota has a long history of working
closely and collaboratively with the North Dakota
Department of Human Services.
Today, we have grown to nine sites in North Dakota
and three sites in Idaho. This past year, we had more
than 700 individual foster parents and served more
than 1,400 children and their families across our
many programs.
PATH Rebrands
As PATH ND and Nexus continue to join forces, a
few things are changing throughout the organization.
In the past month, the PATH ND Executive
Management Team started the conversation to
rebrand the PATH logo. The current logo has served
us well for many years, but our team felt the need to
reflect the overall look of all Nexus sites. We initiated
this change now, as we want to fully become part of
the Nexus family, and what better time to do so than
during the first months of our rollout.
Our strong commitment to our culture and the way

27. MAY/JUNE 2017 | 26
Director’s Report
Overthelastyear,PATHhashad
theexperienceofinitiating,
actingon,andconducting
anaffiliationprocesswith
Nexus.Thiseffortwasborn
primarilyoutofPATH’sfive-year
successionplanningprocess,
withourawarenessthatNexus
waslookingatNorthDakotaforadditionalservice
possibilities.
Theduediligenceprocesswasasignificantevent
,aswelookedforagoodfitinourculturesand
mission.Aftermucheffort,thePATHBoard,under
theleadershipofKathyEllingson,andthePATH
OrganizationalDevelopmentCommittee,chaired
byMatthewHallaway,recommendedaffiliation.
Withouttheirintenseworkandtheworkofthe
Nexusseniorleadership,especiallyBrockWolff,CEO,
thisventurecouldnothavesucceeded.
Priortotheaffiliation,PATHhadastronghistoryof
growthinbothsizeandscope,especiallyinNorth
Dakota.NorthDakota’suniquetreatmentfoster
caremodelandentrepreneurialspirithasallowed
PATHtohave23yearsofongoingsuccess,both
programmaticallyandfinancially.Sinceaffiliating,
wehavebeenmanagingcountlessareasofchange
frommacrotomicro.Staffhavetocontendwith
changeintheirverybasicday-to-daysupportand
reportingprocess,whileatotherlevels,people
integratenewroles.
PATHisbigoncongruenceandtransparency,so
changesrequireagreatdealofinteractionandcare.
Onecommentwas“sincetheaffiliation,thereis
moreevidenceofthisbeingagreatideathanthere
wasbeforetheaffiliation.”TheculturesofPATH
andNexusfittogethernicely,andourvaluesare
congruent. PATHisexcitedtocontinuetofindour
placeintheNexusfamilyofservices,andwelook
forwardwithgreatexcitementtoourparticipation
withallintheNexuscontinuum.
Bill Metcalf
PATH ND CEO
IDAHOPATH A FAMILY MEMBER
we work with foster parents, kids, and families continues as
our foundation. But, we believe that this image change will
enhance our communication and marketing efforts, as well
as help us be part of a great team.
The evolution of our logo brings about some great
opportunity as we continue to integrate with Nexus.
Over the course of the next several months, we will see a
streamlining of many of the marketing and communication
processes specific to each of our locations. PATH will also
have two distinct logos, one for North Dakota and one for
Idaho. Over the course of the next several months, we will
see our new logo transitioning into our offices and onto our
many materials. We are excited to share these new logos
with all of PATH.
Former PATH logo:
PATH logos as a Nexus family member:

28. Have an idea for a story?
Contact Amy Leach, Cornerstone editor
aleach@nexus-yfs.org
763-551-8666
Employee Anniversaries
Nexus is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and provider of
youth and family solutions. Our continuum of care includes community-
based family services, assessment programs, residential treatment
programs, foster care and adoption programs, and on-site education
programs.
Nexus, Gerard, Kindred Family Focus, and Woodbourne Center are legal
entities. They are all nonprofit corporations under their respective state’s
law and are qualified for state and federal tax-exemption under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Mille Lacs Academy, Indian Oaks
Academy, Onarga Academy, Nexus Glen Lake, Gerard Academy, and
Kindred Family Focus programs are not themselves entities; they are part
of the entity that operates them. All of these programs share an underlying
adherence to the Nexus Cornerstone Values and Guiding Principles.
Cornerstone is published bi-monthly by
Nexus. All articles are copyrighted by Nexus.
Reproduction of any part of this publication is
prohibited without prior written consent.
505 Highway 169 North, Suite 500
Plymouth, MN 55441-6447
Corporate: 763-551-8640
www.nexus-yfs.org
Follow “Nexus: Youth and Family Solutions”
on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter!
3 YEARS
Gerard Academy
Ryan Gallagher
Julie Lowe
Heather Schmit
Donavir Vargo
Melanie Ryan
Lindsay Kachmarzinski
Greggory Emery
Indian Oaks Academy
Creeana Fobbs
Courtney Westover-Nelson
Shawnn Cooper
Dominic Catalano
Kindred Family Focus
Darrick Gorecki
Megan Pudlik
Mille Lacs Academy
Josey Bain
Stacee Athmann
Christina Irrgang-Wade
Nexus
Daniel Ulland
Heather Sellors
Onarga Academy
Jeremy Hamann
Kelsy Kerrigan
Mark Peters
Teresa Bilotto
PATH
Chelsea Kerschensteiner
Robin Sundem
Woodbourne Center
Migao Cooper
Steven Schreiber
Sarah Weissman
5 YEARS
Indian Oaks Academy
Daniel Guzman
Larry Williams
James Frey
Onarga Academy
Danny Hubner
Woodbourne Center
Kobie Howell
10 YEARS
Gerard Academy
Laura Graff
Indian Oaks Academy
Matthew Hedding-Hess
Woodbourne Center
Charles Rice
15 YEARS
Gerard Academy
Joseph Baldus
Kindred Family Focus
Sara May
20 YEARS
Indian Oaks Academy
Helen Jackson
Woodbourne Center
William Plummer