TRANSITION TALK
Volume 4, Issue 1
Centre, Inc.
January, 2014
Centre Says “Goodbye” to Detox
A
s of January 1, the responsibility for operating
Detox transferred from Centre, Inc. to the City of Fargo.
Centre began managing the
Social Detoxification Program
in May of 1990, when it contracted with the City of Fargo
to provide this much-needed
service. Thousands of people
have been cared for in the
last 23 years with a high level
of skill and compassion by the
staff. Working with the
typical clientele at Detox
takes special people who
possess a combination of
patience, understanding,
intuition, and the ability to
de-escalate difficult situations.
That describes
Marty Olson, who has
been at the helm for 19 of
those years.
Marty began his career
with Centre in March of
1993 as a Detox Tech and
was promoted to Manager in
August of 1994. Over the
years Marty has trained and
managed many technicians to
serve in this difficult, sometimes thankless, capacity.
Marty has not only been an
excellent agency representative, but also a wonderful
resource to numerous community coalitions addressing
the needs of Fargo’s chronic
substance abuse and homeless population.
Marty’s strength in working
with individuals in difficult,
high stress situations is very
impressive. It is obvious he
understands the importance
of respect, integrity and consistency, as well as the precise protocol for social detoxification. His ability to maintain safety and security is
superior. His dedication to the
mission and the service he
provided to the community
over the last 20 years is noth-
ing short of phenomenal.
Asked what he most enjoyed
about his job, Marty replied,
“The people. A lot of good
people have been employed
with us. It’s nice when past
clients show thanks, and it’s
special when you see them
succeed. Just knowing the
program is responsible for
keeping some folks alive,
especially during adverse
weather, is important.”
An important lesson Marty
has learned is “You can’t
judge people by first impressions. Also ethics and personal boundaries are very
important.” One of his earliest memories with the program is Jim Kessler, the first
Manager. “Jim was an unforgettable character, a great
teacher. He showed me the
importance of being open,
honest and optimistic. He
could offer constructive criticism without criticizing you.”
What does the future hold for
Marty? “Continue to play the
blues and fish.”
Submitted by, Chris Shotley
VET’s Manor Apartment Building Updated
In September of 2004, Centre, Inc. purchased an 8 unit apartment building in Fargo, with
the idea of making it into a permanent, supportive, housing option for our Veterans. The
building was named Vet’s Manor. This permanent supportive housing unit located in
Fargo, currently houses eight formerly homeless veterans who continue to work on their
sobriety and any mental health issues that they may have. Earlier this fall, the interior and
exterior of the building was updated, which included installing new carpet in the hallways,
installing new windows, installation of new steel siding, and replacing the roof. The tenants/veterans are proud of their apartment building and thoroughly enjoy having the new
look to their home.
Submitted by, Robyn Ingvalson
Inside this issue:
New Treatment Group to
Begin in Jan.
2
Anniversaries
2
Promotions
2
Jail Chaplin’s Visit Centre
3
St. Nick
3
Holiday Greeting
4
Candy Cane Facts:
 The first candy cane was
made over 350 years ago.
 The original candy cane had
a shape different then the
modern day design. It was
straight and all white.
 Over 1.76 billion candy
canes are made each year.
 The biggest candy cane ever
made was 51 feet long.
 Nearly 2 billion candy canes
will be sold in the four
weeks before Christmas and
Hanukkah.
www.candycanefacts.com
New Treatment Group Starts in January
D
ue to the tougher laws that went
into effect in August (issuing felony
convictions for repeated DUI offenses),
the need for more high intensity, clinically
managed residential
substance
abuse
treatment is projected
to increase. Centre
Fargo has agreed to
contract with the ND
Department of Corrections and has become
licensed by the ND
Department of Human
Services to offer this
level of service (ASAM Level III.5 Substance Abuse Treatment) beginning in
January 2014.
identify their thinking, beliefs, attitudes
and values and replace risky thoughts
and beliefs with more productive ones.
The program consists of 20 hours of
treatment per week, including 9 hours
of cognitive behavioral substance
abuse group provided by Licensed
Addiction Counselors; 8 hours of living
skills group covering budgeting, family
issues, interpersonal relationships,
problem solving, and the development
of leisure and recreational activities;
and 3 hours of Thinking For a Change
Group, which teaches participants to
Participants will also have a job at the
facility (janitorial, maintenance, food services, etc) and be involved in a structured
behavioral management plan.
Although the impetus for developing this
level of treatment was to accommodate
the additional DUI felony convictions, the
services are available to all residents who
need this level of treatment.
Submitted by, Linda Johansen
Milestone Anniversaries
C
entre recognizes these dedicated
individuals who had milestone anniversaries in the last half of 2013.
r
u for you
Thank yo
tr
to Cen e
dedication
grams!
and its pro
2 Years
Angela Lehr, Licensed
Addiction CounselorFargo
Kristen Kiemele, Residential Specialist II- Fargo
Laura Olson, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Shelby Schmidt, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Sam Grandbois, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Amanda Bosman, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Autumn Engstroem, Residential Specialist
II- Mandan
Cloe Kilwein, Residential Specialist IIMandan
Alisa Brossart, Residential Specialist IIGrand Forks
Danielle Gripentrog, Residential Specialist
I- HART
5 Years
Kristie Tjon, Case Manager II- Fargo
Danelle Hanson, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Semir Imamovic, Residential Specialist IFargo
Lindsay Schuh, Residential Specialist IIFargo
Anna Kalvoda, Food Service AssistantMandan
Julia Graham, Food Service AssistantMandan
Tessa Rath, Residential Specialist II- Mandan
Susan Martin-Shipp, Residential Specialist I- Mandan
Phyllis Remboldt, Food Service AssistantMandan
10 Years
Heather Flemmer, Program ManagerFargo
15 Years!
Chris Mandt, Residential Specialist IIGrand Forks
Promotions
C
entre has promoted some talented
individuals during the last half of
2013.
Mandan
Alicia Baumann- Assistant Program Man-
Page 2
ager
Paige Fitterer- Case Manager I
Cloe Kilwein- Residential Specialist II
Grand Forks
Tracy Marback- Program Manager
Sheyenne JasmannCase Manager I
Alisa Brossart- Residential Specialist II
Courtney SwensonResidential Specialist II
Volume 4, Issue 1
Jail Chaplains - Rebuilding Lives
T
he women living at Centre “had a
blast” making edible Oreo Turkey
decorations with a group of Jail Chaplain Volunteers headed by Gerri Leach.
Sitting in a circle drinking hot cider,
each person shared what they are most
grateful for.
“I’m grateful for this
chance to turn my life around” topped
the gratitude list for many of them.
Georgiana Laber & Jerilyn Wooly
Being in a correctional facility around
the holidays can be a bleak occasion.
The Jail Chaplain Volunteers provide
genuine understanding and support
that comes from deep faith and love to
help others face their day-to-day challenges. They also offer unique pro-
grams and events inside the facilities
which help people make the connections they need for a second chance.
The volunteers, who are people from
local churches trained by the jail chaplains, help offenders find jobs and
housing and continue to support them
in rebuilding their lives after release.
Being part of genuinely concerned community has helped thousands of people
find a larger purpose for their
lives.
“If nothing changes,
nothing changes,” says Mike
Sonju, Cass County Jail Chaplain.
Fargo Jail Chaplains are supported largely through donations and fund-raisers. Centre
sponsored 2 tables at the 7 th
Annual Dessert Social where
staff connected with the chaplains and volunteers and set up
several events at Centre which
are making a huge difference in
many residents’ well-being and
hope for the future. Celebrate
Recovery Bible Study will begin
in January.
women who had hit bottom and
through discovering faith and connecting with faith-filled people, started to
live meaningful lives.
The volunteers also furnished tickets
and escorted the men to a Christmas
concert called “The Reason” at a local
church. The guys enjoyed the music of
Sanctus Real, a Christian Rock Band,
and listed to the testimony of Nick Hall.
On Dec. 14, a group of volunteers
helped the women roll out and decorate Christmas cookies and make their
own Christmas cards with a personal
touch. Each woman received a snapshot of themselves to include with their
cards. The volunteers bought postage
and mailed the cards the gals prepared
for their family and friends.
People interested in volunteering with
jail chaplains can contact Gerri Leach,
Executive Director, at 701-364-0067
for more information.
Submitted by, Linda Johansen
In December the volunteers took the
females to a Women of Faith Simulcast
which turned out to be a wonderful
evening.
The ladies sang familiar
songs and heard stories of other
The Legend of Santa Claus
S
anta Claus... Kris Kringle...Old Saint Nick... We see him on advertising posters, in
parades, at department’s stores...who is this guy and why does he have so many
aliases? Well, the original St. Nicholas lived in southwestern Turkey in the 4th century. As the bishop of Myra he was credited with doing a number of miracles involving
sailors and children. After his death this led him to become the patron saint of both
groups as well as for unmarried girls. As a saint he was given his own "feast day" that
was celebrated on December 6 th.
At about the same time Nicholas lived, Pope Julius I decided to establish a date for
the celebration of the birth of Jesus. As the actual time of year for this event was
unknown, the Pope decided to assign the holiday to December 25th. There had long
been a pagan midwinter festival at this time of year and the Pope hoped to use the
holiday to Christianize the celebrations. http://www.unmuseum.org/santa.htm.
Transition Talk
Page 3
Centre, Inc.
PO Box 1269
Fargo, ND 58107
Phone:701-237-9340
Fax: 701-237-9945
www.centreinc.org
Mandan Staff
Fargo Male Unit Staff
Fargo HART Unit Staff
Administration/Human Resources
Fargo Clinical Staff
Happy Holidays!
From the Staff at
Centre, Inc.
Detox Staff
Quarter Way House Staff
Fargo Female Unit Staff
Fargo Food Service/Housekeeping
Grand Forks Adult Unit Staff
Grand Forks Transition Unit Staff
If you would like to receive Centre’s newsletter via e-mail or discontinue receiving Centre’s newsletter please contact Alanna Waldahl at alannawa@centreinc.org.