THE RIGHT WAY A Publication of Youth Opportunity Investments
Summer
MMXXIII
Hope is a tree that holds the world (Pliny the Elder)
From the Desk of Jim Hill
At Youth Opportunity we believe that Transition begins upon Admission to the program and our commitment to our At-Promise Youth does not end at Discharge. This challenging, yet rewarding work happens through an incredible team of professionals who lead with compassion and wisdom. Their work impacts the Youth we serve, opening them to successes and achievements that fosters radical change, not only in their lives individually, but in their communities when they return home. One such success is Youth, Anton Clayton from Kissimmee Youth Academy (Kissimmee, FL). The past few months have been an incredible experience full of opportunities for Anton, who was recently discharged from KYA Max-Risk program. During his time, Anton shifted his focus on education, personal growth, and his future. In late March of this year, Anton was honored as one of the 2023 Youth Ambassador Award winners at the Florida Juvenile Justice Association Legislative Reception for his demonstrated progress, positive behavior and growth within the program.
Shortly after this recognition, and with the guidance of program leadership & dedicated staff, he was accepted to Arkansas Baptist College on a football scholarship where he will begin classes this term, majoring in business and playing for the ABC Buffalos. We are proud and excited for Anton and what he will continue to accomplish as he continues to build on what he learned at KYA. I offer my personal gratitude to the staff at KYA, and especially Transition Services Manager, Kerwin Robinson, for keeping Anton in contact with his college football coach during his placement, getting him enrolled in school, assisting his move to Arkansas, and their continued investment and commitment to ensuring his success.
Jim Hill Jim Hill, President
Youth Opportunity Investments
Mt. Juliet Youth Academy Investing in Excellence Award 2nd Quarter of 2023
Mt. Juliet Youth Academy has maintained a consistent level of performance each quarter, performing at a level of excellence without incidents or compromise to the program’s safety, security or culture.
New Michigan Programs Youth Opportunity is proud to be expanding its presence as a primary behavioral health provider with the opening of two new Michigan programs.
Osceola Youth Center - August, 2023 - OYC will provide a secure environment for adolescents who require a structured and supportive services in a trauma informed setting. River Oak Youth Center - Q4, 2023 - ROYC will provide residential treatment programming for adolescent females with behavioral support needs.
Osceola County, MI
150 High School Graduates and GED's in 2023
More than 200 Industry & Skills Certifications
Equine, First Aid, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Pet Training & Grooming, Career Wiz, PactCore, OSHA10
Broward Youth Treatment Center Pembroke Pines, FL
The Young Men of BYTC have been very busy lately practicing their culinary arts skills and helping their community through a neighborhood initiative sponsored by the City of Miami. We have many reasons to be proud of our Youth, as they are learning to connect and serve, while finding an outlet and passion for creativity and making things beautiful. But more importantly, they have many reason to take pride in themselves.
ACADEMY MT. JULIET
The young ladies of Mt. Juliet Academy celebrated summer with a Color Fun Run, complete with water slide, games, and a cookout. It was a beautiful Tennessee day to recognize all of the hard work and accomplishments of the past few months. We're so proud of their achievements and excited for their futures.
The young women & men of Mt. Juliet, Bledsoe, and Lebanon Youth Academies in Tennessee had an opportunity to celebrate with a Prom of their own this past Spring, complete with a Limo ride, a great meal, dressed-to-the-nines formal wear, corsages, music & dance. Thank you to the leadership of these three programs for making this memorable event happen for our Youth.
Ms. Cari Hassell (Lebanon YA); Mr. Antonio Bratcher (Residential Dir, TN) ; Ms. Angela Garvin (Bledsoe YA); Ms. Dee Refoure (Mt. Juliet YA)
Youth Opportunity is proud to provide Equine Therapy at a number of its campuses throughout Florida and Tennessee. The benefits for our At-Promise Youth provide life-skills that help them believe in their own capabilities, develop and rebuild trust, learn clear communication, establish respect, and manage their emotions more effectively by being present to the moment.
CRESTVIEW YOUTH ACADEMY
YOI is honored to celebrate the young men of Crestview Youth Academy in the accomplishment of earning their high school diplomas. This is a huge leap in the success for these Youth as they begin their new paths to a hope-filled future.
Mr. Randall, Shift Supervisor Broward Youth Treatment Ctr
Ms. Tshudi, Compliance Mgr Michigan
Mr. Knightly, Program Dir. Brooksville Youth Academy
Mr. Newman, AFA Crestview Youth Academy
Ms. Johnson, HR Mgr Crestview Youth Academy
MEET THE TEAM
Mr. James, Therapist Kissimmee Youth Academy
Mr. Crenshaw, COO Brooksville Youth Academy
Ms. Dusseau, Dir. of Admissions Florida Corporate
Ms. Lathrop, Case Mgr Brooksville Youth Academy
Mr. Rhoads, Asst. Clinical Dir. Brooksville Youth Academy
Ms. Jordan, Admin. Asst. Deep Creek Youth Academy
MEET THE TEAM
Mr. Barron, FA Crestview Youth Academy
Mr.Long, Case Mgr Brooksville Youth Academy
Ms. Cox, Nurse Mt. Juliet Youth Academy
Ms. Mercier,Therapist Mt. Juliet Youth Academy
Ms. DeMatto, Nurse Brooksville Youth Academy
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE
AWARD WINNERS
Lashonda Armstrong, Lead Therapist Deep Creek Youth Academy
Ms. Armstrong is the light on the darkest days. Her presence alone changes the entire atmosphere. She is energetic, thoughtful, charismatic, bubbly and just full of life. Her ability to connect with youth and staff is beyond anything imaginable. Ms. Armstrong’s dedication to making a change in the lives of youth is evident by the time and effort she places in making a connection with youth and families as well as the hard work exemplified daily.
She exceeds her job expectations by not only being a therapist but a mentor who helps the youth with their education, behaviors in the program, and any issues that the youth may face once they leave the program. She assists with finding placement for youth, enrolling them in school, applying for jobs, etc. Her work with the youth does not stop. Moreover, despite being short staffed within her department, she continues to press forward and puts the time in to get the job done. She works tirelessly without complaining. She has stepped in when there was no Clinical Director or ACD’s to ensure that the clinical department succeeded. Ms. Armstrong is the driving force of our clinical department. She is the glue that keeps the department together. She brings consistency and stability to Deep Creek Youth Academy and we value her for that. She is the true definition of the Spirit of Excellence!
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE
AWARD WINNERS
Shawn McDaniel, Physical Plant Manager New Hope Youth Center
Mr. McDaniel is extremely dedicated, hardworking and gets the job done. He has successfully renovated and prepared two Michigan programs for upcoming openings and completed passing inspections for health, fire and licensing. He also ran point on all of the technical service and IT department needs for these programs. He has completed a long list of maintenance projects with very little assistance and
stayed on top of all of the service providers, vendors and maintenance needs managing these projects. Mr. McDaniel took charge and did not pause with all of the requests that were asked of him. Mr. McDaniel is a team player, exemplifies the Spirit of Excellence and we could not have made this happen without his commitment and expertise.
Bonnie Cook, Direct Care Staff Roane Academy
Ms. Cook has demonstrated care, compassion and proactive response in an emergent situation at her assigned program. Ms. Cook was instrumental in quick response and adherence to trained procedures in response to an attempted suicide within the program. Ms. Cook stayed aware, vigilant and immediately called for assistance and additional support. Due to Ms. Cook’s active supervision and quick intervention, the team at Roane was able to respond swiftly to an emergent situation and prevented any serious injury from occurring. Ms. Cook’s immediate response was instrumental in ensuring the safety of youth in care.
An Immigrant's Tale
This past July 4 marked 47 years since we left Greece and arrived to our new home in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States. I think back to the frightened little girl, just six years old, and realize that not only did my parents love me, they risked everything to give me and my siblings the American dream. Yes, the American dream exists! I have been beyond blessed with amazing friends who not only have helped me along the way with their love and support, but they have been there to pick me up when things got tough, pushed me to stand for myself, cried with me and best of all celebrated with me. I’ve been blessed with many opportunities. Every time I see the beauty of the American flag, I realize the meaning and the blood, sweat and tears that gave me the freedom I have. It's humbling and so powerful. I raised two young men who served our nation as United States Marines and taught them the meaning of freedom. They are my greatest accomplishment. God bless America! Kelly Alexiou, Executive Administrator Youth Opportunity Corporate Headquarters, Carmel, IN
Your Health Matters
About Us
In 2022, a national survey of approximately 1,100 men aged 18 and older revealed that 72% of them would prefer to do household chores than go to see a doctor. Even if it means cleaning the bathroom . Though it's a small sample size, the results of the survey speak to a larger issue: men of all ages are potentially compromising their health by avoiding annuals visits to the doctor's office. In honor of Men's Health Month, here's a list of things all men should do to stay physically and mentally well and keep their health in order: Exercise regularly. Healthy adults should strive for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. According to the Mayo Clinic, the benefits of regular exercise go beyond looking good: physical activity helps increase testosterone levels, and lowers risk of certain types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Take care of your mental health. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die by suicide 3.5 times more often than women. Take action to improve your mind and body by meditating, taking walks, eating healthy, and regularly talking with your doctor. Don't skimp on cancer screenings. This should be self- explanatory! You should perform regular checks and notify your physician of any unusual findings. Annual checkups are recommended for men ages 50 and older.
We believe that living a healthy lifestyle is a key
component to everyday life. We want to be able to provide you with useful updates and alerts to help you maintain good health for your body and mind.
The health plan through Youth Opportunity Investments offers great
coverage that is affordable to help you maintain your health and the health of your entire family.
Our Benefits Team
Brieden Consulting Group 17000 Kercheval Suite 210 Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Phone: 313-447-0900 www.briedencg.com
Important Men's Health Statistics
350,000 men die of cardiovascular disease each year. More than 700,000 men are diagnosed with cancer each year; 300,000 of those cases will result in death. 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. It's the second leading cause of death in men. More than 60% of adult American men are overweight or obese. Focusing on Men's Health raises awareness of preventable health problems and encourages early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Consider these statistics: To be clear: ignoring your medical problems won't make them go away. This month, let's work together to turn this trend around and create a cultural shift where men don't find it embarrassing or emasculating to seek out medical help. Just remember the basics that can help lead you to living a healthier and happier life:
Get more sleep.
Manage your stress.
Keep moving.
Drink more water!
Quit smoking!
Enjoy yourself!
Summer Grilling! Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers Directions Step 1: In a large bowl, mix first 6 ingredients. Add chicken, mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape mixture into 16, 1/2-in. thick patties. Brush both sides with oil; refrigerate, covered, 15 min. to allow patties to firm up. Step 2: Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat 5-6 min on each side or until internal temp. reads 165 degrees. Serve on buns with desired toppings.
Ingredients
3/4 cup ranch 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 tsp. pepper 4 lbs. ground chicken 3 tbsp. olive oil 16 hamburger buns, split
Optional toppings: tomato slices, lettuce, sliced red onion, sliced cucumber, sliced avocado, ranch dip
EASY REDUCE TAXES
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Payroll deductions for convenient savings
Every dollar contributed to the plan, you avoid paying federal, state, and local taxes.
SAVER’S CREDIT A bonus tax credit for those that qualify. Potentially $2,000 in tax credits. 4% match of pay for participating employees An employee elects 4% deduction or higher for their 401k, YOI will match 4%.
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ENROLL TODAY THROUGH PAYCHEXFLEX!!! https://myapps.paychex.com For 401K Assistance, call 866-385-5005 Mon-Fri 8:00am – 8:00pm EST
Did you know that your United Health Care benefits through Youth Opportunity provides a free health management program?
Everything you need to lose weight and keep it off — FREE to eligible UnitedHealthcare members.*
Dave L. Age 47
Tashawna O. Age 37
“I’m stronger. I have a lot more energy. Thank you, Real Appeal.”
“This is no diet — this is not a gimmick. I feel great!”
Join today at success.realappeal.com
Member's of YOI's UnitedHealthcare benefit program are eligible to sign up for Real Appeal , a free digital program that provides you with up to a full year of support for lasting weight loss*. On average, participants lose 10 pounds after attending just 4 online classes.
The Program Includes Everything You Need to Create a Lasting Change:
Personal transformation coach
•Step-by-step guidance and customization for a program that fits your needs, preferences and goals. •Support and motivation for a full year to help you lose weight or maintain results. •Apersonalized dashboard to keep track of your calories, fitness and goals. Staying accountable to your goals may be easier than ever with: •Food, activity, weight and goal trackers. •Unlimited access to digital content. •Your online group class, which is designed to help you build camaraderie and accountability with others in the program. •Weekly health tips from celebrities, athletes and health experts. 24/7 convenience
Success kit
Resources to help you kick-start your weight loss and keep yourself on the road to results. Your kit will be delivered after your first class. It includes: •Step-by-step Success Guides. •Workout DVDs. •Quick and simple recipes.
•Nutrition guide. •And much more.
Real Appeal is designed to help you build healthy habits across key areas, such as nutrition, fitness, sleep, and stress, to support healthy living and weight management.
Join the thousands of members that have lost nearly 1 million pounds. Start today at success.realappeal.com. Spark your transformation with Real Appeal. *The Real Appeal program is provided to eligible members at no additional cost to you as part of your benefit plan. Real Appeal is a voluntary weight loss program that is offered to eligible participants over age 18 as part of their benefit plan. The information provided under this program is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should be construed as medical and/or nutritional advice. Participants should consult an appropriate health care professional to determine what may be right for them. Any items/tools that are provided may be taxable and participants should consult an appropriate tax professional to determine any tax obligations they may have from receiving items/tools under the program. Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance
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