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Marsh Foundation School Hires Teacher

headshotlcVAN WERT, Ohio – Lauren Calvert is no stranger to The Marsh Foundation School. Hired by The Marsh residential division as a family teacher in 2016, she has worked in the school as a school family teacher since 2018. Now, she has been hired as a full-time math and language arts teacher. Calvert holds a bachelor’s degree in family studies, with a minor in psychology of human development as well as a master’s degree in social work. She recently completed testing and coursework to obtain her Alternative Resident Educator Licensure in order to teach.

Because of her work with the youth at The Marsh Foundation, Calvert is uniquely qualified for a teaching position within the school. She said she finds working with the youth rewarding and is looking forward to reaching them in a new way. “I have a passion working with the youth that we serve at The Marsh Foundation,” she said. “I have found how rewarding it is to see them progress in their treatment, grow in confidence and leadership within the group home, and also being able to see them feel proud when they earn good grades and understand what is being taught to them.”

Calvert said that she hopes her background in social work and family systems, combined with her experience working in the group homes will give her an advantage in the classroom. “Because I am new to teaching, my main goals are to continue to learn and grow, try new and different things, and to do my best to ensure that the students are successful,” she added.

Principal and director of education Robbie Breese is happy to have her expertise and experience in the classroom. “Lauren’s experience, education, willingness to grow, and her desire to work with the youth we serve made her a great candidate for this position.  I am confident that she will continue to be a great asset to our school team and look forward to watching her grow in this position,” he said.

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living services. 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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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation School has hired Lauren Calvert as a math and language arts teacher.

 

Community Members Donate 100 Masks to Marsh Foundation Youth and Staff

Masks heartVAN WERT, Ohio – Those living in communal situations are at a higher risk of contracting COVID 19 because of their close proximity to others. When The Marsh expressed a need for protective masks, community members were quick to respond.

Director of residential services, Megan Tuttle, was impressed with the immediate offers to help that she received. “I love how in a time of need you can reach out to individuals and they selflessly help both the youth we serve as well as the employees that work at The Marsh Foundation,” she said. “Thank you is not a big enough declaration to express our gratitude for their generosity! It is so comforting to know that people care so much for our essential workers.”

Deb Bergdorf and mother – daughter team, Becca and Bryar Suever sewed and donated more than 100 masks between them. The masks will be used by both youth and staff in situations where there might be risk for exposure. “We are limiting off campus activities and doing as much as we can to avoid exposure, but we must be prepared for what might come,” Tuttle said.  

Bergdorf said she is proud to be able to help The Marsh. “Everyone deserves to feel protected and safe during these uncertain times and to have access to protection,” she said.

Becca Suever echoed those sentiments. “As cliché as it sounds, I decided to make masks to donate to set an example for my kids that when you can give, you do,” she said. She is happy that it became a family activity with her daughter. “It makes my heart happy to know that in 20 years when everyone talks about this time in history, her story will be how we spent time together sewing masks and donating them to help keep people safe and healthy.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living services. 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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Photo caption: Pictured are some of the masks donated to The Marsh Foundation by community members.

 

Marsh Foundation Youth Color Hearts for Essential Caregivers

Hospital donationVAN WERT, Ohio – The boys residing at Marsh Hall on The Marsh Foundation campus are more than aware of the current global pandemic and its affects on the community around them. As a thank you, they decided to color hearts and send them, along with a thank you note, to the Van Wert County Hospital.

The note began by saying, “Thank you for all the work you do for our community. We are all glad to have you guys as our caregivers and we could not get through this pandemic without you.”

Megan Tuttle, residential director at The Marsh was impressed by the boys’ initiative. “Empathy is one of the skills that we work on here at The Marsh. It was exciting to see the boys put that into practice in a relevant and kind way,” she said.

Each youth at Marsh Hall cut out and colored unique hearts to be displayed all over the hospital with the goal of bringing hope to the essential staff of the hospital. The note finished with, “We have made you these hearts. We hand colored each one and they are all special. Once again, thank you for all you do for our community.”

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living services. 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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Photo caption: Pictured is Ellen Rager, Director of Patient and Community Relations at Van Wert Health, accepting the donation of hearts from The Marsh Foundation youth.

Youth enjoy their Easter goodies provided by the Shirley Haight family.

Marsh Foundation Celebrates 10th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Thanks to Donors

VAN WERT, Ohio – Again this year, Easter was an extra special holiday on the campus of The Marsh Foundation thanks to generous donations. For the 10th year in a row, the Shirley Haight family sponsored an egg hunt, basket donations, and gifts.

Marsh Alumni Accomplishes Citizenship and Education Goals

Marsh Alumni Accomplishes Citizenship and Education Goals

VAN WERT, Ohio – When youth arrive at The Marsh Foundation they are often struggling with a variety of problems and challenges. Itzel Jarrett was no different when she arrived on Halloween morning at the age of 14. That was seven years ago and a lot has changed since then. Jarrett has grown into a successful young woman and she said it is because of the strong influence The Marsh and its staff have had in her life.

Marsh Foundation Launches New, User-Friendly Website

Marsh Foundation Launches New, User-Friendly Website

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation has relaunched its website with an emphasis on making it more user-friendly for constituents and referral sources. According to Kim Mullins, the executive director of Child & Family Services, it is important to have an organized, attractive website for families, caseworkers and others to use.

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Marsh Foundation Hires Foster Care Licensing Specialist and Consultant

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation has hired Brenna Hayes, LSW, to join the Foster Care and Adoption Division as a licensing specialist and consultant. Hayes is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in psychology. Hayes brings...
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Marsh Foundation Holds Spring Graduation Celebration; Recognizes Hall’s Retirement

VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation School held its annual spring celebration on Wednesday, June 5. The day included a musical production of The Wizard of Oz, a graduation ceremony and luncheon for the students and their families. Four students earned and received their diplomas. Many of the...

Marsh Foundation Utilizes Family Teaching Model and Family Conferences to Help Youth Learn Responsibility and Leadership

VAN WERT, Ohio – A key concept within the Family Teaching Model is called self-government, and it’s a way to help youths at The Marsh Foundation set certain rules and guidelines while holding themselves and their peers accountable. It’s an inclusive process that promotes family cohesiveness, helps...
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Marsh Foundation to Build New Fitness and Dining Facility

VAN WERT, Ohio – Today, The Marsh Foundation Trustees and Directors broke ground in conjunction with Peterson Construction on a new fitness and dining facility. The new building will be connected to and located northwest of the Administration Building on their campus in Van Wert. The 15,000-foot...