Orion Family Services

09/28/2012

Question of the day - 9/28/2012
What would you do today if you knew you could not fail?

09/28/2012

Top ten ways to create and increase your support network!

1. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and say “hi” when you can
2. Go to the local library on the same day at the same time and start smiling at the other “regulars”
3. Make a list of people you like talking to and plan to call each one at least once a week
4. Have coffee or tea at a local coffee shop and become a once a week “regular” there
5. Look for local groups on topics like parenting or social activities that you would enjoy doing
6. Identify people who handle things the way you want to and start talking to them
7. Invite friends over for a movie night, game night or a play date
8. Explore the social options at the local churches or community centers
9. Join the Parent association at your child’s school
10. Facebook, Twitter, Forums, chat rooms, texting and blogs are also great ways to learn and stay connected, but face to face contact is still the best!

If these things don’t work or you find yourself still feeling alone and isolated, consider calling a professional therapist and making an appointment for a session. Sometimes isolation is difficult to break through on our own! Therapy can help a person find their way.

08/22/2012

Are you a techie? a geek? seriously wired? owner of a smartphone or pad? Check out the following mental health focused apps:
Face Melter, Mood tracker, Breathe2Relax. Some are for Iphones and some for Androids.

08/21/2012

Orion's In Home Safety Services program is lookng to hire.
Interested?
Curious?
Call 608/270-2511 and ask for Cathy. We hope to fill the position(s) by the end of September. Training is provided.

08/13/2012

Social enterprise at Orion is in it's second year!! Want to get involved? Check out our website at orionfamilyservices.org and email Hugh Meyers or Teri Davis.

The brightly colored little picnic tables, some handpainted with polka dots and cartoon characters, may look like children’s furniture. But they’re also the tangible fruits of a social-enterprise effort developed by Orion Family Services, with the help of CHHSM’s consulting services.

07/31/2012

Thank you to all the people who donated school supplies to Orion at the game in the Appleton area! Our group home kids and in home families really appreciate it. Watch for an article on the web page coming soon with more details on this generous event.

06/28/2012

If you need help saying no, follow these tips!

We all smooth over the truth and bend in our standards from time to time in order to reduce conflict and make relationships work. But when pleasing others becomes a habit you may find yourself resentful, which ultimately damages your relationships.

06/22/2012

Do you like constant change and never knowing what's next? Routines can help provide structure and security for kids.

Humans are afraid of many things, but "the unknown" edges out everything except death and public speaking for most people.

06/21/2012

Need help coming up with fun things to do with your kids this summer at low or no cost? Start with these great ideas!

When you work at home you need practical ideas for kids entertainment, things for kids to do by themselves, particularly summer activities. But, parents, you know what they say about all work and no play, right? So don’t let the kids have all the fun. Try out a least a few of these 100 ideas for ki...

04/24/2012

Orion Family Services recently participated in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Nonprofits Communiversity series to present their Parent Skill Builder program. View the presentation online here.

See a presentation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison featuring Orion Family Services team members!

03/28/2012

Orion’s Parent Skillbuilders program aims to stabilize children by working with their parents to identify and build upon parenting strengths and repair areas of concern. One family shares their growth.

Before receiving help from Orion Family Services, the Williams home was dark and damaged in more ways than one. Maggie Williams had her hands full as a single working mother of boys ages 3, 7 and 10.