About

The history of Marathon Residential and Counseling Services, Inc. began with the purchase of the 527 Hamilton Street property by Ralph and Karen Weeks in 1978.  Ralph and Karen lived in the glorious old Victorian house with their three kids, and were licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a group home to care for as many as eight adolescents, both boys and girls.  After successfully serving over 60 children and their families, the Weeks decided to retire from the group home business.  They continue to serve kids and families as highly respected Treatment Foster Parents on behalf of Marathon County Department of Social Services.

In 1984, the property, and desire to help kids, were passed on to Dennis and Carla Reynolds.  The Reynolds quickly established themselves as worthy successors to a developing tradition of quality services to troubled kids and families.

As the years passed and the demands of running Reynolds Group Home increased, Denny and Carla made the decision to incorporate as Marathon Youth Services.  Two years after incorporation, a decision was made by the board of directors to open Wings Group Home, located in a rural Marathon County setting.  Additional service initiatives were in the planning stage when tragedy struck.  Denny was attacked by a fast growing cancer and died three months later in November of 1994.  Survival of MYS looked doubtful until staff and family, true to the memory of Denny, rallied around an effort to keep the organization alive.  In an effort to solidify and focus resources, Wings Group Home was closed in 2001 and greater focus was given to addressing the expressed needs of the community.

With a shrinking economy and subsequent budgetary restrictions on purchasing agencies, the demand for the services of Reynolds Group Home decreased throughout 2012 as other less expensive options were pursued. As a result, RGH ceased operation as an adolescent group home in December, 2012 and was absorbed into the Adult Services Programs of Marathon Youth Services, becoming an Adult Family Home now known as Reynolds Place, and accepting its first adult residents in February, 2013.

Since 1995, Marathon Youth Services has been led by an executive director and a very competent staff.  Programming for kids, families and adults continues and has been greatly enhanced, ever changing to meet the needs of the individual and our community.  This includes the continuing services of a Master's Level therapist who provides services to our adult clientele, as well as service to other community referrals for children, adults and families.  Many other program enhancements have continued to meet the ever changing demands of our community.

Our primary initiative now expands on our service paradigm to include services to  developmentally disabled adults.  We now proudly operate several facilities to serve this population; Hamilton House, Prospect Place, Reynolds Place and Seventh Street Suites. We also provide supportive services to adults living independently or with family through a Supported Home Care Program.

With the changing emphasis of programming, from kids and families to adults with developmental deficits and counseling services to the community at large, a name change became appropriate and took effect January 1, 2014.  Now know as Marathon Residential and Counseling Services, Inc., emphasis will continue to be the provision of quality services to our resident population and the greater Wausau/Marathon County community.

The future is indeed bright for Marathon Residential and Counseling Services.  Have a look around, and please share your thoughts with us.  We'd love to hear your comments, and will be happy to entertain any inquiries.