News and Events
Agency News:
- Requiem To Our Friends: Due to reorganization and the consolidation of services, the local Blue Cross and Blue Shield office has been closed. These local employees have supported our agency, particularly the Missouri River Youth and Shelter Home for Boys, since we can recall. These wonderful people have purchased gifts/stockings for the boys at Christmas, goodies at Easter, financed admission and spending money enabling the residents to attend the State Fair, and sponsored Super Bowl parties. We have rarely seen such devotion and commitment for our services from any business. These folks epitomized the spirit of corporate giving, helping the communities troubled youth and less fortunate. We would like to particularly thank and recognize Dana Swanson and Helen Johnston, who coordinated the giving. We are certain that no good deed remains unrewarded in the future. We will miss you all, and you will remain in our hearts and thoughts.
- Transitional Living Services for Youth in Foster Care: The Department of Public Health and Human Services awarded us a contract to operate the Montana Foster Care Independence program in region 2. The service territory includes nine counties and the Fort Belknap Indian Community. A Federal Chafee Act appropriation funds the program intended to accomplish the following purposes: to help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive the education, training and services necessary to obtain employment; to help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare for and enter post-secondary training and education institutions; to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients from the age of 18 until the youth’s 21st birthday to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, and to assure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for and then making the transition from adolescence to adulthood. We are excited and look forward to undertaking this worthwhile and needed endeavor/project.
- A Special Thank You: We would like to extend special thanks to the following individuals and businesses who contributed to our homes during the Holidays: Dolly Kelly, Joyce Ziegenhagel, Andree' Deligdisch, Christ United Methodist Women, Y Men's Club, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Local Employees, The Fagenstrom Company, Charles and Diana Schedel, Donald and Rebecca Hager, Myrtle Rebecca Lodge, Fort Benton United Methodist Women, Amazing Toys, Jeff and Gloria Allain, Gerald Meyer, Dr. Nelson, DDS and staff. You made our youth's Christmas much brighter and special than we could have ever imagined. We would like to share the following selected comments witnessed by staff at the Christmas party and on Christmas Day: "They helped a lot of kids have a good Christmas and in return we wish you a Happy Holidays." "Not many people buy stuff out of the kindness of their heart. Thanks." "Thanks for picking us, you could have given these gifts to someone else." "Thank you for the best Christmas ever." "Thanks for giving me a wonderful Christmas." We cannot thank you all enough. Mere words cannot begin to express our appreciation.
- Land Ahoy: We have obtained land for our long-range construction project to build a facility to replace the older and deteriorating Missouri River Youth and Shelter Home. We hope to have the final architectural plans finished by year end, then begin earnestly pursuing community support and the resources to build the new home. To achieve this dream/vision, we need your help by providing direct financial support or ideas for obtaining resources to complete construction. Please contact us with your contributions and suggestions.
- Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) Service Provider: The Children's Mental Health Bureau has approved us as a PRTF services provider. PRTF is a home and community-based Medicaid waiver financed program providing services to youth and their families at risk of a placement in or returning from a residential treatment facility. We are providing Wraparound Facilitation, a best practice consumer strength-based intervention where the family determines their plan of care, (our role is limited to plan of care coordination and implementation), to a new program participant. We will also continue to provide respite care (periodic short-term placement) at one of our group homes as requested for children of family's enrolled in the program.
- Evergreen Licensing Change: To meet the needs of the community and placing agencies, Evergreen has received a license to care for both female and male adolescents. We will accept males primarily in a short-term emergency basis when the Missouri River home is at maximum capacity, predominately serving boys who are younger, less disruptive, and more vulnerable.
- Public/Private Collaborative Effort: We would like to extend a huge Thank You to Bison Motors, United Way of Cascade County, and Opportunities Inc. for helping us to replace a vehicle with an inoperable transmission at Portage Place. We did not budget for this unexpected catastrophe. These organizations/businesses each contributed in the following manner: Bison Motors significantly discounted a 2004 Ford Excursion, Opportunities permitted us to allocate $2,200 from our Emergency Shelter grant award toward the purchase, and United Way awarded us $7,150 (one-half of the remaining purchase price) from their emergency fund reserve. We would have had trouble meeting this expense without the assistance of these community partners. This is a vivid example of the private and public arenas harnessing their resources to address social service needs in our community.
Community Service Projects:
- American Heart Association: The youth from Evergreen Youth and Shelter Home folded pamphlets for the American Heart Association for distribution to their members.
- Senior Olympics: The Missouri and Evergreen Homes participated in the Senior Olympics in the following ways: timing, measuring, and recording results for track and field events; assisting with the horseshoes tournament; keeping the score for basketball games; and helping with activities for the Olympic Cycling.
- State Soccer Tournament: Youth and staff from Portage Place Therapeutic Youth Home, for a second consecutive year, volunteered their time to keep the restrooms at Seibel Field adequately furnished with sanitary supplies and maintained during the State Soccer Tournament.
- Special Olympics: The boys, girls, and staff from Evergreen Youth and Shelter Home prepared sandwiches for Special Olympics participants. Great Job Gentlemen and Ladies !
Youth Activities and Accomplishments:
- A team from the Missouri River Youth and Shelter Home participated in the annual Spring Thing Hoop Fling. The Great Falls Local Station 8 Fire Fighters paid the registration fees and sponsored the team. Thanks for affording the youth this opportunity. Great sportsmanship gentlemen!
- A resident from Evergreen recently obtained her GED. Congratulations!
- Great Falls High School recognized a resident at Evergreen for academic performance and attendance. This young lady was also appointed to serve on the State Superintendent's Student Advisory Board, one of 40 students from 31 Montana schools.
- A female resident at Evergreen received the East Middle School Prestigious Pride of Ram Award. They give this award quarterly to students who have displayed responsibility and good citizenship. The staff and she attended the breakfast celebration. Nice Job Young Lady!
- Due to the generosity of Showdown Ski Area, the youth from our homes and the Aftercare/Early Intervention program enjoyed a day of skiing and snow boarding. Our finances this year would have precluded such an outing. The youth had a great time. Thank you so much Showdown for affording us this opportunity for the third consecutive year! We appreciate it very much. Special thanks to our staff who volunteered their time to accompany and supervise the adolescents.