"I love how the property and how the outdoors are seamlessly embedded in the curriculum"

      Kristy Wrigley studied political science in college and started her career working in residential care with at-risk children.  She ran a group home in Burlington for five years.  She spent time outside, engaging the kids in therapeutic outdoor activities.  They went camping, building deep connections amid nature’s peacefulness.

     “I wanted to go live outdoors for a few years,” Kristy said with a smile.

     She began a Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Trinity College and interned with Mike Gray at The Howard Center in Burlington.  He worked with children who experienced significant sexual abuse. 

     “Mike was an incredibly influential mentor for me,” Kristy said.

     Kristy completed her degree and wrote a grant to support treatment for children with challenging sexual behaviors.  The grant was funded and she worked for Washington County Mental Health Services.  Her clients included those convicted of sexual offenses and those at risk of committing a sexual crime.  At the same time, she provided clinical consultation at a specialized camp, facilitating groups and providing therapy.  She then worked in private practice and as a contractor for the Vermont Department for Children and Families.  She became the Clinical Director of Comprehensive Care at The Howard Center’s Jarrett House, guiding program development.

     Kristy’s association with Laraway began three years ago; she provided consultative services in her specialty area.  Today, she is on Laraway’s staff as the Clinical Supervisor at Laraway School.  Kristy supervises and supports the clinicians working directly with students.  She supervises all treatment plans, making sure treatment is integrated with educational goals and insuring Medicaid compliance.  She also provides individual and group therapy for students, including initiating a Girls’ Group to foster open dialogue and positive peer relationships. 

     “I love working at Laraway, I really do,” Kristy said.  “The atmosphere is really positive and the students respond to that.  I love the property and how the outdoors are seamlessly embedded in the curriculum.  My roots are in wilderness therapy and Laraway is a great fit for me.  People here are very committed and constantly asking the question, ‘What is good for the student?’”

     Asked about her approach to clinical supervision, Kristy thought for a moment and said, “For better or worse, I’m a pretty direct person.  It’s the Philly girl in me.  (Kristy grew up near Philadelphia.)  I try to be direct.  I also try to empower.  I want to know what my supervisees’ passions are.  I want them to feel empowered to go in there and do what they think is right for a kid.  I provide a scaffold.  Within those parameters, a clinician is afforded all this room to make the work their own.  Providing consistent clinical supervision is also very important.  People need to have it every week to make sure they’re doing good work and that there’s a place to share it.”

     Kristy commented on all the good work happening at Laraway School.  “Kids are getting clinical offerings every day.  There’s all this sensory stuff going on and outdoor adventure education is amazing.  Kids will behave in a positive way when their sensory input is aligned. Some kids need a little; some need a lot.  We’re here to provide what they need, as individuals.”

     A question Kristy ponders in her work, and ancillary research, is:  How does Laraway become increasingly evidence-based and outcomes-based?  This is a tall order, but one that can’t be ignored as we strive to prepare students for happy, healthy independent lives.

If You Teach a Youth to Prune...Increasing Laraway's Harvest

     George Swanson, Laraway’s part-time Land Steward, and a gentleman farmer with his own acreage in the Northeast Kingdom, has been planning plantings for when the snow melts and the ground rejuvenates. He sketched out a plan for crop rotation, to make the most of our fertile, certified-organic soil along the Lamoille River. He is planning a new plot for tomatoes, strategically located to minimize blight. After consulting with Lisa Rock, our inspired and creative cook, George will plant more root crops and increase potato production.  We want to grow what Lisa and Dave can use in the kitchen---and lots of it! The root cellar in our farmhouse can store about 400 pounds of produce.  George is aiming to fill the space with healthy, nutritious veggies for our cafeteria.

     “The saying goes ‘any month with R in its spelling is a month for tree pruning.’.  Our first tree pruning student workshop starts February 22 (weather permitting) and will continue into March,” George said.  It looks like snowshoes will be needed!”

     Seed starts will take root in Laraway’s classrooms in March and April, presaging what we hope will be a plentiful growing season.  Feeding kids healthy food helps them grow…and learn.  Teaching kids to grow their own vegetables satisfies their appetites while equipping them with self-sustaining skills for adulthood.

     Stay tuned…and WATCH OUR GARDEN GROW!

Greg Stefanski talks Community on "Present Time" at 99.3 WBTV Radio

     Greg Stefanski, Laraway's Executive Director will speak about the concept of Community on "Present Time" at WBTV LP 99.3, live streamed at www.993wbtv.org on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  In addition to his role at Laraway, Greg is a community activist and adjunct faculty member at Johnson State College and the Community College of Vermont.  He also designed a college-level course on the concept of Community.
     As Greg points out in his writing, "Community is dynamic...it can grow, it can be harmed.  We have to take care of it, especially in a world of competing influences, some of which might actually harm community." 
     So much of our work at Laraway is about helping the children, youth and families we serve find and sustain Community.  If this topic catches your fancy, we hope you'll give a listen!

You're Invited! Open House at Laraway on Thursday, February 23rd, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

     Have you ever wondered what it's really like to be a foster parent?  Did you know that Laraway's Clinical Program has expanded, offering services to local schools and community members?  Would you like to see our renovated youth recreational space, supported by a grant and designed with input from our clients?  If we've captured your curiosity, we encourage you to visit.

     Join us for Laraway's Winter Open House on Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at our Farmhouse at 275 Vermont Route 15W in Johnson.  Light refreshments will be served.  For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact Katherine Stamper at 802-635-2805 x 106 or Kstamper@Laraway.org.  If you are interested in visiting Laraway and can't attend the Open House, please contact Katherine for a private tour.

     Laraway Youth & Family Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and building on the strengths of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges, through alternative education, therapeutic foster care and public school based behavioral intervention supports.  For more information, please visit www.Laraway.org.

     

Striving to Succeed

     Nate is a senior at a Vermont public high school, working a couple of jobs and applying to college.  He’s also a volunteer firefighter.  He likes history and his senior capstone project at school is about the history of the fire service.  Nate plans to study criminal justice with a minor in construction and/or business management.  He hopes to enroll in college as a Cadet seeking a commission to the United States Marine Corps.

     Nate has worked very hard to reach this place in life.  As he approaches high school graduation and the next chapter of his life, he graciously shared a little of his back story.

      “I was born in Zanesville, Ohio in 1998.  My mom was a Class A CDL driver for Coca Cola,” Nate said.  “I was constantly with her.  She was a cross-country driver.”

     Nate’s father was not in the picture.  He and his mom lived in Florida and then, when he was three, moved to his mother’s home state of Vermont.  There were difficulties.  Nate was placed in state custody at age six.  Thus began his odyssey of twenty-eight foster homes in addition to  residential programs and alternative schools.

     “I needed to learn to control my anger,” Nate said.  “It took a lot of time and effort.  I’ve learned to do something physical---go play basketball, do push-ups or work out---to take care of myself.  Sometimes I just need a little time by myself to listen to music.”

      Even with the ups and downs, Nate’s wonderfully friendly personality allowed him---as a student and youth in foster and micro residential care at Laraway---to build positive relationships with so many members of the staff.  He has assumed the microphone at Laraway community events and organized football clinics with Laraway’s younger kids and Greg Stefanski, our Executive Director.

     Nate is carrying a full course load in high school and has been residing with his present foster family for one and one-half years.  He works at McDonald's and is a parking lot attendant at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

     “I’m either at school, Job #1, Job #2 or the fire department,” Nate said matter-of-factly.

      His road hasn’t been easy, but he’s determined to build on the successes that will allow him to graduate with a high school diploma in June.  His goals are clear:  To graduate from college, become a Marine, continue to serve as a firefighter and, finally, become a police office or open his own landscaping business.

      “Laraway is a supportive program,” Nate said.  “If the kids and families follow the program, it can really work in their favor.”

Save the Date: Winter Open House at Laraway

     

     Robert Frost wrote, "You can't get too much winter in the winter."  We, at Laraway, tend to agree.   Our staff gets kids outside enjoying the best of what a Vermont winter has to offer.  From skiing, to ice fishing, to snowboarding, to winter camping, Laraway encourages healthy physical activity.

     In the spirit of Vermont's coldest season, Laraway is hosting a Winter Open House at our Farmhouse at 275 VT Route 15W in Johnson on Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m.  Tour our recently renovated farmhouse.  Learn about expanded Clinical and Substitute Care services. Explore Foster Parenting and other opportunities at Laraway.  Light refreshments will be served.  For a complete listing of job and foster parenting opportunities, please visit www.Laraway.org/careers.html

     For more information or to RSVP, please contact Katherine Stamper at 802-635-2805 x 106 or Kstamper@Laraway.org.  We hope you can join us!

To Pitch a Tent

   

     "I went camping (with Laraway School) and I would have my tent up in minutes while the boys didn't know how to do theirs, so I helped them," Mara recalls.  She also remembers a hiking trip in which she and a female staff member got a little lost before reaching their destination....again, before her male classmates found their way with staff.  These are sweet and sometimes funny memories of her experiences as a Laraway student.

     "I was bullied at my old school," Mara said.  "Laraway was a new school with new people.  I was kind of excited when I found out I was going there."

     Mara adjusted with ease, building positive relationships with staff and fellow students.  She spent 9th, 10th and 11th grade at Laraway School.  She returned to public school for 12th grade, earning her high school diploma.

     "Laraway taught me a lot---like cooking with Tim, Patrick, Shellie and Erin.  We ran a bread company at the school called Yeast Coast," Mara said.  "Math was always kind of hard for me, but my teacher made it fun."

     Mara and her fiance live in central Vermont with their rescue puppy, Lily.  She owns her own car and has been employed as a dietary aide at a nursing home since 2013.  More recently, she assumed an additional part-time job as a support worker for an individual with autism.  She was considering becoming an LNA, but is now thinking about building a career within the field of autism.  She is happy and independent, grateful to have a supportive fiance.

     "He helps me feel better when I'm sad," Mara said.

     Asked if she could think of another funny story from her time at Laraway, Mara laughed and said, "Oh, there are too many to remember!  Shellie caught me on the phone with my boyfriend (now her fiance) while in the woods on a camping trip!  We just did a lot of fun stuff.  We camped at the Waterbury Reservoir and went to Hampton Beach---that was my first time at the ocean.  They even remembered my birthday, making it extra special."

     "Laraway is an excellent school," Mara said.  "They do a really good job, especially when they encourage your dreams, telling you to not give up on yourself."