Our Spring 2023 Newsletter for The Village Network.
what’s inside... p3 Laughter Leads to Hope p5 Donate
Voice SPRING / SUMMER 2023
p6 Foster Care Hero p7 Difference Maker
FROM THE CEO’S DESK
2000 Noble Drive, Wooster OH, 44691 800-638-3232 | thevillagenetwork.org /tvillagenetwork
Dear Friends of The Village Network:
Each May, we have the opportunity to celebrate both National Mental Health Month and Na- tional Foster Care Month. From the outside, it may seem as though they are two distinct recog- nitions of two very different groups. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see that the two are intrinsically connected, and tied together with one significant value: HOPE. Hope for healing. Hope for family reunification. Hope for the youth entrusted in your care. Hope that one day, brighter futures will be realized.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Richard Graziano, President & CEO Martha Welker, Chief Financial Officer Dave Paxton, Chief Clinical Officer Linda den Heijer, Chief Administrative Office r Mark Ingles, Chief Program Officer Tammy Leaver, Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Schantz, Vice President of Information Systems Sherry Whitman, Executive Administrative Assistant to the President CEO Lisa Scott, C-Level Executive Administrative Assistant
Richard Graziano is the President & CEO of The Village Network
In this issue of The Voice , we look forward to sharing hope with you through the following:
• A special preview of our upcoming 40th Charity Golf Classic • A friendship rekindled as a result of the amazing work of the Zach Souers Giving Hope Fund • The Face of Foster Care in Columbus: Mr. Travis Porter If you have the gift of giving hope and feel that you were called to make a difference, we’re looking for people just like you. Please consider taking a look at our Treatment Foster Care program and current career opportuni- ties by visiting us online at https://thevillagenetwork.org and checking out the careers page or the Treatment Foster Care tab. We have incredible benefits and training for both. And if that’s not your calling, I hope that you will please consider giving HOPE to a youth today by texting ZACH to 76278 and making a donation that’s meaningful to you. Thank you for your continued partnership.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Matthew Long, Board Chair Suzanne Miklos, PhD, Board Vice Chair Scott Allen, Immediate Past Board Chair Dallas Robinson, Board Treasurer Scott Rotolo, Board Secretary Jim Jakubowski, Eagles Representative John Kinkopf, Trustee Glenda Lehman-Ervin, Trustee
In Brighter Futures,
Robyn Lightcap, Trustee Lynn Moomaw, Trustee Shawn Phelps, Trustee James Wilkins, Trustee Lenny Zuchegno, Trustee Dave Bush, Board Emeritus Don Foster, Board Emeritus Nadine Foster, Board Emeritus Peggy Schmitz, Board Emeritus Steve Shapiro, Board Emeritus
Richard Graziano President & CEO
More Than 75 Years of Experience Serving At-Risk Youth & Families Since 1946, The Village Network has been a leader in caring for at-risk youth and their families in Ohio and West Virginia. Our premiere treatment plans paired with compassionate care create opportunities for our clients to experience healing from their individual traumas and improve their behavioral, physical and emotional health. Our services are designed to transition individuals to permanent, stable environments and include Community Services, Residential Treatment and Treatment Foster Care. All our services contribute to our mission to empower all individuals to build brighter futures. The Village Network is nationally recognized as a quality care provider, licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, accredited by the Council of Accreditation and is a flagship partner with Neurosequential Network (childtrauma.org).
PUBLISHED BY:
Matthew Scruggs LeeAnn Hastings Brianna Cox
Some images used with permission. Stock photography provided by billionphotos.com. © 2023 The Village Network
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THE VILLAGE NETWORK . SPRING / SUMMER 2023
“Dad, you have no idea how much I hurt inside.”
“In middle school, we were both in the clown troupe,” said Gretchen as her face lit up. Sarah added that she and her friend Gretchen had “cute brothers” as the smiling and laughter continued. When I asked Gretchen about her favorite mem- ory of Zach, “Where do I start? I was the younger sister that was always able to tag along with my big brother. He was a good brother.” In 1996 when Gretchen and her fami- ly moved from Dover to Wooster, she remembers it being a good time to move as she was beginning seventh grade, and it was the transition from elementary school to middle school. The change was easy as everyone was “new,” added Sarah. Howev- er, the adjustment was more challenging for her big brother Zach, as he was about to start his sophomore year in high school. Gretchen remembers being aware that he was “struggling, but that he was her big
G retchen (Souers) Berndt entered The Village Network Lobby on November 16, 2022, to attend the dedication of the plaque for the Zach Souers Giving Hope Fund, a fund start- ed to honor her brother. Surprisingly, she recognized a school friend that she had not seen in years, Sarah McFarland. Sarah works for The Village Network in the Performance Compliance Quality Improvement department. As I watched the two reconnect, it became obvious that I needed to share this part of Zach’s story. I arranged a lunch date for the three of us, found myself with two women who quickly took me back to seventh grade in middle school. When I asked the first question, “How did you meet?”, the exact resounding words came out, “clown troupe.” Written by: Matthew Scruggs, Donor Services and Events Manager
brother, and their relationship was the same.”
Zach was a senior when Gretchen and Sarah entered high school as freshmen. Sarah’s brother Matthew was also a senior with Zach. Gretchen’s dad was the football coach, and she was a cheerleader. Mom was in the stands, cheering every- one on! It was the quintessential high school experience, and they had a typical brother-and-sister relationship. “[Zach] picked on me,” but I was “off-limits to any other team members” as Zach’s little sister. Gretchen laughed about “Buddy, the 22-pound black cat,” who also “dressed up like a clown; Zach loved buddy,” she rem- inisced. Gretchen and Sarah continued to share favorite memories of “Friday night football games at Triway High School” and many “happy times” with Zach, where he was “happiest when playing sports,” Gretchen recalled.
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SPRING / SUMMER 2023 . THE VILLAGE NETWORK
But at home, things were getting different with her big brother. “We all wear that mask in public, but it’s real life at home. Much like social media today, we only post the good stuff,” added Gretchen and Sarah agreed. Gretchen recalled Zach “struggling” as she continued through high school. He began isolating himself and was feeling unsure of what was next for him and what direction to go. As she was focused on her schoolwork and preparing for college, Gretchen was unaware of how challeng- ing things were for her older brother. She would soon become aware of how bad things really were. Gretchen recalled the organic chemistry class on that August day in 2004. The teacher was interrupted by security and stepped into the hall; as he re-entered, he asked Gretchen to join them. She remem- bers thinking, “What did I do?” But that quickly changed when she was greeted by a family friend who lived in her college area. With her tear-stained face, Gretchen’s next thought was, “Dad.” She had to quickly process words like “attempted suicide,” “brother,”“hospital,” and “you need to go home to Ohio.” Once home, she was confronted with how bad things had gotten for Zach, who would not survive. Sara received the call from her brother, Matthew, with the news about Zach. She recalled being “shocked, never knowing the extent of Zach’s struggles,” while thinking of her friend, Gretchen; she remembers feeling “deeply saddened and
not knowing what to say to the family.”
society. Gretchen shared that through her therapy, she found closure and peace with the loss of her brother but wants to remind us to always “be kind and do whatever you can to make people’s day. Be the bright spot when you can.” As we finished lunch, I felt so comfortable and connected to Sarah and Gretchen that I had to ask, “When was the last time you both had a clown nose on?”
Our conversation then took a shift; several generations ago, you never spoke of mental health, yet today it is ok not to be ok. The two women shared that the time that passed provided a new perspective and the recog- nition that life unfolds and challenges us, and 20 years later, after high school, life is different. All people have “struggles,” added both Gretchen and Sarah. Gretchen recalled her path to recovery after losing her brother, which included working with a therapist. She mentioned that one of the books she read was I Thought it Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) by Brené Brown, which encouraged her to share that people need to know that “we are more alike than we are different. We all want to get through life and if we do not have connections, we feel isolated. We need to be able to relate to and support one another.” The recognition of a global dialogue sur- rounding mental health started with the help of public figures like Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Prince Harry. Sarah men- tioned that her daughters, aged seven and eleven, attend school and are aware when classmates struggle. “They discuss things like ADHD or anxiety and give each other the space to process emotions and are even supporting one another to do better.” We all shared how happy we were to see this shift and that anxiety was never openly addressed 20 years ago. We are hopeful that we are equipping future generations with the abili- ty to remove the mental health stigma from
Sarah responded, “This past Christmas, my daughter’s Rudolph nose.”
Gretchen shared, “It was about 10 years ago at a baseball game with my parents in Detroit.” As I drove back to the office, this lunch fed my soul and left me wanting more mo- ments of connection, laughter, and even tears with these fantastic women. Not only did we have a unique and deep conversa- tion addressing mental health issues, it re- minded me that when faced with a mental struggle, to seek help, be connected, and hold on to hope. If you would like to help the Souers family continue Zach’s legacy and give our youth HOPE for brighter future, please complete the donation form on the following page.
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THE VILLAGE NETWORK . SPRING / SUMMER 2023
T his spring The Village Network is celebrating the 40th Anni- versary of our Golf Outing on Friday, June 2nd at the Wooster Coun- try Club, and we are on track to have another record-breaking year! Partici- pants will compete for our coveted Bas- ford Cup and prizes while supporting our mission to build brighter futures for at-risk youth in Ohio and West Vir- ginia. There will be a $40,000 hole-in- one competition and many other sur- prises as well! We have room for a few more teams if you want to get into the game, this is a SOLD-OUT event each year, email our very own Joyce Wiebe at jwiebe@thevillagenetwork.com she is here FORE you! l Donors and Divots – Driving Dollars FORE a Brighter Future DONATE
Yes, I will give HOPE to a youth today!
Three Convenient Ways to Make a Difference: • Donate online at:
Enclosed is my generous gift of:
$75
$120
$250
$500
$1200
Other______________
thevillagenetwork.org/give • Mail a check in the convenient return envelope (Please make checks payable to The Village Network) • Text ZACH to 76278
Name: ______________________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your gift is tax deductible and you will receive a thank you letter as a receipt. Please make your check payable to The Village Network and return it in the enclosed envelope.
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SPRING / SUMMER 2023 . THE VILLAGE NETWORK
FOSTER CARE
The Face of Foster Care in Columbus, Mr. Travis Porter.
“I recently received a message from one of our foster families about the work being done in Columbus,” said Richard Graziano, President and CEO of The Village Network.“We get letters all the time from our clients, but this one was different. It spoke to the purpose of our mission.” In the message, our foster parent shared, “I just wanted to let you know other foster parents, and I appreciate The Village Network. This is a great agency to be a part of; it’s great to know that foster parents and kids are important.” This message was from Helena, a Foster Parent who joined The Village Network a year and a half ago and has been working with our “Face of Foster Care in Columbus,” Travis Porter. “Helena has been the gift that keeps on giving,” according to Travis; when she transferred to us, she only had one pause point, our pay differ- ential. Now that she has seen The Village Network’s difference between our wrap-around services and our crisis team, we give her something equally valuable: the support and resources needed to foster a child. Travis feels that working in social work is a “calling” and “this is where he is meant to be.” He loves to give back and be impactful in his career, which is evident in all who describe him. His passion is fed by his mother, Ella Louise Porter, who instilled in him many values, one of which resonated with him “To change the world is to love a child,” and she modeled that behavior for Travis. Travis has 25 years of experience and began with TVN as a part- time employee in several roles including a Behavior Management Specialist in our Reception Center and for our Foster Care, and he also was an Outpatient Mentor for our youth. He worked in these roles for 13 years before making foster care in Columbus his full-time focus in 2021. Porter chose foster care as his home because “The Village Network is like working with a large group of colleagues who are like family.”
According to Porter, he had to garner “trust, support, connection, and resources to build relationships with each family.” This includes “our wrap-around services for our foster care families. It is not what we do, but what we provide,” added Porter. “We increase contact from our clinical team, add Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment (CPST) or case managers, and link staff to do proactive work with youth who are struggling. This is from simple things like our staff visiting when there is no crisis and engaging with the youth as a service baseline, thus building rapport with the child. So, if the child enters a situation, the crisis team can step in and process with the youth as the trust is already established.” This is crucial in working through challenges, stress, or high anxiety with our kids. “Our team and family atmosphere sets us apart from other [agencies]. We try to go the extra mile to assist and support the parents, while giving a variety of support. We assist with transportation, scheduling appointments, linking to additional services, and program stabiliza¬- tion. We walk alongside our foster parents to support them in any way we can. Our team will provide coaching to the parents as well. All to improve the lives of our kids,” says Porter. Travis is proud to partner with an “outstanding team,” including Mr. Stanley Gates (Mr. Stan), the Crisis Team Supervisor; Kyra Holling- sworth, Clinical Therapist; Breonna Overholt, Clinical Therapist; Durethea Odom, who is working on becoming a Clinical Therapist; Amanda Robertson, the Program Supervisor; Tristann Blankenship, the Clinical Therapist; and Sandra McIntyre, the Administrative Assistant. Many other staff assist at The Village Network to get our families prepared to foster a child. In her message, Helena also stated that her kids “love Mr. Stan because he is always willing to help in any way he can.” She also gives credit to Sharon and Sandra, who work in our offices and provide seamless service with the administration side of fostering a child and helping with everything from paperwork to getting kids to appointments. Helena has two foster children in her home. She is continuing her journey to help them build brighter futures, including exploring op- tions for continuing education this fall at a historically black college or university for one of her kids. Helena closed her message, “I am happy I chose to come to TVN. I feel like part of an extended family. The people I’ve worked with, in- cluding you [Travis], always exceed my expectations.” We agree, Travis, keep up the excellent work building brighter futures! 6 THE VILLAGE NETWORK . SPRING / SUMMER 2023
DIFFERENCE MAKER
I ntroducing Laurie Peterson, MSW LSW, Clin- ical Therapist/School Liaison that has been with The Village Network for 7 years. She has worked in the behavioral health industry for 9 years. Laurie Peterson, MSW, LSW Clinical Therapist/School Liaison
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Where did you go to school? Cleveland State University
What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is the genuine love I receive, and the trust I earn from our kiddos by creating a relationally-safe environment. Another part is when I witness it all come together. You see their self-worth and sense of belonging grow with every day, even if they’ve felt their whole life that they don’t matter, don’t belong, and do not deserve love. After consistently applying the 6R’s and treating them with unconditional positive regard, dignity, and respect, you see something happen, you feel it. You can feel them feel the revival of love, and you feel them give love. You can feel them knowing and realizing they are worth it. What is the most challenging part of your job? The most challenging part of my job is not being able to reach enough kids that need/and deserve this kind of treatment/love, etc. Knowing that there are kids that have been in situations and witnessed things no kid should ever be exposed to.
Who inspires you? My kiddos inspire me. Every day they show up. No matter what the world has thrown at them, they show up. They put in the work every day. For what may come natural to some kids, can be tough for our kids. They must work at self- regulation, executive functioning, cognitive flexibility, and social skills. Seeing them fill those deficits with skills is inspiring because that is not easy work. If you could have one wish granted for the children you work with, what would it be? For them to always remember what it feels like to be loved, accepted, and wanted; for them to always remember what human connection feels like; for them to know that they deserve to be here and for them to share that feeling with others. l
What’s your hidden talent? People say I am able to innately weave a therapeutic web with my clients that
encompasses the fundamental principles of NMT and CPS. People say my hidden talent is the ability to connect with my kids regardless of their developmental level. I often use toys to help establish a common ground with them. One day it may be Transformers; another day monster trucks, and the next day, LEGOS, but I always find a way. Plus, I can justify all the cool toys I “need” for work. It is a win-win!
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEREA OH PERMIT #333
2000 Noble Drive, Wooster, OH 44691
We care for our employees and offer incredible benefits, including:
Competitive salaries Up to 34 days of PTO offered in the first year 6 paid holidays for full-time employees Innovative clinical training program Tuition and licensure reimbursement Advancement opportunities
THEVILLAGENETWORK.ORG/CAREERS Want to receive the same great benefits? We’re hiring!
The Village Network partnerships for a brighter future The Village Network is an experienced, multi-discipline behavioral health organization helping individuals become resilient, healthy and have brighter futures. Learn more at thevillagenetwork.org.
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