VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation along with Mercer County DJFS and the Western Ohio Regional Training Center through the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, is bringing a nationally recognized speaker to Van Wert on Thursday, June 21. The seminar, “Why Tokens Aren’t Working: Helping Children with Difficult Behaviors,” will run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at The Marsh Foundation and qualify for social work and counselor CEU hours.
The free training is being facilitated by nationally known author and licensed clinical social worker, Heather T. Forbes. Forbes has a master’s degree of social work from the University of Central Florida. She has authored “Dare to Love: The Art of Merging Science and Love into Parenting Children with Difficult Behaviors” in 2009, “Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control: A Love-based Approach to Helping Attachment-Challenged Children with Severe Behaviors” Volume 2 in 2008 and “Going Beyond the Behaviors: How to Heal from the Impact of Early Trauma” in 2008, among others.
“We are beyond thrilled to be hosting Forbes at The Marsh Foundation,” said Kim Mullins, P.C.C., executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh Foundation. “She has written some excellent materials and this will provide a wonderful opportunity for our staff as well as others in the community to gain some new insight when it comes to working with difficult children,” she said.
Mullins also noted that The Marsh is excited to partner with other organizations to make this event possible. “This is a collaborative effort between us, Mercer County DJFS and the Regional Training Center,” she said. “It is great to be able to work together to provide a valuable resource for the social workers in our area.”
This presentation will help participants understand the behavior from the child’s point of view. In the morning, trauma will be defined and the impact of early childhood trauma on a child’s behavior will be examined. Participants will be able to identify risk factors that can negatively affect childhood development. Forbes will also address why tokens don’t work and explore parent/child interactions, boundaries vs. consequences and several case studies through video clips, role-play and lecture.
This training is free and a free boxed lunch will be provided. The registration deadline is June 7. To register, call 1.937.427.4540. Or, for more information, contact The Marsh at 419.238.1695 ext. 233.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation School will hold its annual spring celebration on Friday, May 25. The day will begin at 10 a.m. and it will include piano recitals, a musical production of The Wizard of Oz, a short awards program and a luncheon. One student will also receive his high school diploma.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – For the second straight year, a family now living in Charlotte, NC has returned to Van Wert on Easter weekend to give back to an organization that helped their own family many years ago.
In the 1940s Shirley Haight came to live at The Marsh Foundation. Now, her daughters Cindy Henderson and Lori Linser and her grandson Ian Henderson are making an Easter tradition out of visiting The Marsh. In 2011 and 2012, the family provided an Easter egg hunt and baskets for the youth in The Marsh residential programs.
Although Haight passed away in 1988, Cindy Henderson never forgot how much The Marsh had meant to her mother. The idea to return came to her last year when her son was looking for a spring service project for school and has since evolved into tradition that they hope to continue. “Easter was always a very special time for mom and for our family,” she said. “We hope to be able to continue this tradition for many years into the future.” Even with his busy baseball schedule and other activities, Ian planned an extravagant Easter egg hunt for the youth on campus as well as provided baskets for everyone that included candy, gift cards and other treats.
Seventeen-year-old Ian has done several service projects as part of his private education, but he said he really enjoys visiting The Marsh. “I’ve had a lot of fun while visiting,” he said. “It’s fun to meet the kids and hang out.” On Friday night, the family had the opportunity to have dinner with youth at Marsh Hall and enjoy some recreational time afterwards.
Prior to Saturday afternoon’s hunt, The Marsh presented the family with an auditorium seat inscribed in honor of their mother and grandmother. The inscription reads, “In loving memory of Shirley Haight Linser.” The gesture was a small token of appreciation for the kindness and generosity offered to The Marsh Foundation youth.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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Photo caption
Cindy Henderson (front) sits in the auditorium seat inscribed to honor her mother, with her sister Lori Linser and son Ian behind her.
VAN WERT, Ohio – The First United Methodist Senior Choir recently capped off a month-long program on The Marsh campus entitled; Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution. The Living the Legacy concert was a celebration of the continuation of the Marsh family legacy today.
The Choir performed a variety of gospel and well-known songs for nearly an hour. The choir is composed of 42 volunteer and professionally trained singers. It has been under the direction of Paul Hoverman for the past 19 years. The accompanists are Gloria Wendel on organ and Annette Hoverman on piano. The choir was also accompanied by drums and a bass player for the performance.
The choir has a rich tradition of excellence in music. Under L.W. Schaufelberger, the choir traveled and sang in England. In 2001, under Hoverman, the choir traveled to New York City and sang at St. John the Divine Cathedral under Dr. Simon Carrington, founder of the King's Singers. In the past, the choir has made several recordings and has commissioned numerous choral anthems which have been published and are sung around the world.
Admission to the concert was free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected were then donated to Van Wert area food banks. As part of the day’s events, tours of The Marsh Homestead were also open to the public. Tours were given by Ron Bagley, former Marsh Foundation director, and nearly 50 people participated.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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Photo captions:
The First United Methodist Senior Choir performed at The Marsh Auditorium on Sunday, April 1. Admission was free with the donation of non-perishable food items that were collected for area food banks.
On Sunday, April 1, public tours were given of the historical Marsh Homestead by Ron Bagley.
VAN WERT, Ohio – On Sunday, April 1 at 3 and 4 p.m., the historic Marsh family Homestead will be open for public tours. Anyone interested in learning more about the history of The Marsh Foundation and seeing the home where George, Hilinda and Katie lived, is welcome to attend.
Tours will be directed by Ron Bagley, former director of The Marsh Foundation. Tours are free and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. They will last approximately 30 minutes. The home itself was completed in 1865 and has been a visual icon in Van Wert ever since. The interior has been preserved to look much like it did when the Marsh family occupied it in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The tours are being held in conjunction with the Living the Legacy event. At 2 p.m. on April 1, the First United Methodist Senior Choir will perform in The Marsh Auditorium. The highly-talented choir will cap off a month-long program on The Marsh campus entitled; Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution. The entire day’s events are designed to honor the legacy of the Marsh family. Admission to the concert is free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected will then be donated to Van Wert area food banks.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org. For more information about the Homestead tours or concert, contact Dawn Berryman at 419.238.1695 ext. 233.
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Photo caption: The historic Marsh Homestead.
VAN WERT, Ohio – In recent months, The Marsh Foundation has been undergoing an internal strategic planning process. After studying varying areas of need within the organization, four committees were developed to help strengthen and grow different Marsh Foundation programming and work systems.
The four committees are:
- aftercare/transition/independent living;
- communication;
- performance improvement/outcomes; and
- foster care.
According to Child & Family Services executive director Kim Mullins, the strategic planning process is critical to the success of the organization. “Each committee has worked extremely hard studying the needs and growth potential. They’ve created some very detailed and exciting initiatives and action steps,” she said. The committees developed specific initiatives based on internal and external feedback from consumers.
Each committee is made up of a combination of administration and front line staff. Employees not sitting on a committee have been surveyed for input and suggestions. The initiatives developed work to incorporate all departments and staff levels on campus. The overall goal is to work more effectively and serve children and families in the best, most caring way possible.
Initiatives address things like better communication between departments, recruitment of additional foster families, better utilizing statewide statistical data and extending support to youth who have aged out of or left The Marsh’s on-campus programming.
“The strategic planning process takes place every couple of years and it gives us an opportunity to take a step back and really look at the areas in which we’re doing well and the areas where there is room for improvement,” said Mullins. “It is great to have so many staff involved in the process, from brainstorming down to implementation.”
The committees are currently compiling all of their initiatives to be presented to The Marsh’s Board of Trustees. After approval, work will begin on specific initiatives and action steps later this spring.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – On Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m., The First United Methodist Senior Choir will perform a free concert in The Marsh Auditorium. The highly-talented local choir will cap off a month-long program on The Marsh campus entitled; Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution. The afternoon will also include tours of the historic Marsh family Homestead.
George, Hilinda and Katie Marsh left a strong legacy by being compassionate and helping the less fortunate in the Van Wert community. Hilinda, especially, left behind writings that were very spiritual in nature. In her funeral memorial it was quoted, “Many were the days when she went about in her well-provisioned carriage, helping the sick and needy, in the very joy of her Master who went about doing good. In the church [she was] a humble and conscientious follower of the Christ; a leader for years in the Ladies’ Society of the church. Our sense of loss is deep; we shall ever hold her services in grateful remembrance.” The Marsh Foundation continues to build on and carry out that legacy. Activities on April 1 are designed to honor the Marsh family and the legacy that they left behind.
Admission to the concert is free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected will then be donated to Van Wert area food banks. The choir is the adult group that serves choral musical needs for the 10:45 a.m. worship service at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. The choir is under the direction of Paul Hoverman for the 19th year. The accompanists are Gloria Wendel on organ and Annette Hoverman on piano.
The choir has a rich tradition of excellence in music. Under L.W. Schaufelberger, the choir traveled and sang in England. In 2001, under Hoverman, the choir traveled to New York City and sang at St. John the Divine Cathedral under Dr. Simon Carrington, founder of the King's Singers. In the past, the choir has made several recordings and has commissioned numerous choral anthems which have been published and are sung around the world.
Currently, the Senior Choir is comprised of approximately 42 volunteer and professionally trained singers. Although they are primarily a traditional choir, they often blend spirituals, jazz, contemporary and gospel music and incorporate a variety of instruments to compliment the various styles of music they sing. The Mission of the First U.M. Senior Choir is Psalm 40:3, "He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."
For those interested in learning more about the Marsh history and seeing the preserved Homestead, tours will be open to the public following the concert. Ron Bagley, former Marsh Foundation director, will be leading tours at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tours are free and on a first come, first served basis. They will last approximately 30 minutes.
Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.
The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
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Photo caption: The First United Methodist Senior Choir from Van Wert will perform at The Marsh Auditorium on Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m. Concert admission is free with the donation of non-perishable food items for our local food pantries.
VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation ‘Marsh Grown’ garden program will be holding their spring plant sale on Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in The Marsh Foundation greenhouse. All proceeds will go to the campus youth garden program.
For sale will be:
- beef maestro tomato plants;
- heirloom Cherokee purple (beefsteak) tomato plants;
- cucumber plants;
- wandering Jew hanging baskets;
- scented geraniums; and
- spider plants.
The Marsh Grown youth garden program is dedicated to helping young people develop a sense of land stewardship and learn the importance of healthy food. Participants are taught valuable gardening skills through-out the season. In addition, the program serves as a catalyst for youth to develop important job skills for future employment. Throughout the summer, the garden crew grows vegetables and sells them at the farmer’s market for income.
Participants in Marsh Grown garden crew are youth who are a part of The Marsh Foundation’s Independent Living Group. They are all 15 ½ years of age or older and are working on skills that will help them be successful as adults. The garden program is an opportunity for them to interact with peers and adults, develop quality job skills and learn how to grow healthy food.
For more information, please contact activities coordinator, Sherry Grone at 419.238.1695 ext. 270 or via e-mail at
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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