ATLAS of Osceola Co.
955 2nd Ave
Sibley, IA 51249
Ph:712-754-4311
www.atlasofsibley.org
email: [email protected]
Attaining Truth, Love And Self-control
Vol. #502
2015
From the Director’s Desk…
H
e’s 17 now. I can’t believe
it. He’s not the little kid who
walked through our door with his Mom
several years ago. He’s much taller
and his voice much deeper now.
I asked if he’d share some of his
story in a question/answer format.
He was all smiles.
Q: When did you first come to ATLAS?
A: Four years ago when I was thirteen and in 6th grade.
Q: Why did you start coming to ATLAS?
A: My principal said I had to come.
Q: Why did your principal say that?
A: I was getting into a lot of trouble at school and outside of school.
Q: What kind of trouble outside of school?
A: Trespassing, vandalism and stuff.
Q: Were you in trouble at home too?
A: Not really but when I was really upset I would stab
my mattress with anything sharp.
Q: What did your folks think of that?
A: They thought I was crazy and started locking-up
sharp things in the house.
Q: When you came to ATLAS the first time, what did you
think?
A: I was enraged that I had to come the first time but
after that I LOVED it!
Q: Why did you love it?
A: People here paid attention to me. I never got much
attention or had people who showed me they cared.
Q: You’re older now. Why do you still come once a week?
“What is ATLAS?”
“A place to come when
you don’t know where to turn.”
To put it simply, we are here to help those experiencing
distress. Emotional, spiritual, physical or relational issues can turn one’s world upside-down. ATLAS offers
a safe, confidential place to let it all out and then talk it
through. We will listen, encourage and pray with you.
It’s our mission and privilege to love each person,
guide them in the right direction and walk with them on
their journey.
If you are struggling with life—anxiety, addictions, depression, relationships, anything—come talk to us.
We’re ready to listen.
Q: If you had a friend you thought would be helped by coming here, how would you explain ATLAS to them?
A: ATLAS is a great place that can really help you out.
They help you get-over stuff that has happened and
get past it. They can help you not want to commit suicide—or cut yourself. Plus they have free pop and
great snacks.
Q: Anything else you’d like to say about ATLAS?
A: I think differently now than I used to; you helped me
with all that. When I have bad thoughts, I just think
about coming to ATLAS and they start going away.
When I can talk about stuff it helps me clear my mind
and makes me feel way better.
Q: May I use your name with this story?
A: Yup!
Clark and Austin
Clark
A: I need a place where I can relieve stress and say all
the stuff that’s on my mind. I can say anything to you.
Q: You always come early for your appointments. Why?
A: I like to talk to the staff while I wait. . . even if they
drill and lecture me about hygiene or ask when the last
time was I washed my clothes or if I did my homework.
Q: Do you have any special memories of the last 4 years?
A: Lots, especially the field-trips. Like trying on a German WW II helmet when we went to the Ashton Museum and when you’d let me practice driving with your
car. But I wish your speedometer worked.
Q: What’s your favorite memory of ATLAS so far?
A: When Murt told me she was very proud of me for an
art project I brought in and showed her.
A note from prison
Just a small note leng you know that geng
mail from all you guys really means the world to me.
There is no beer feeling than waking up and seeing
your name on the mail-list. A lot of women here
don’t get mail and are jealous that I do. There is no
greater joy than knowing that I’m not forgoen and
am s ll loved from afar. My ATLAS family has been
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(Continued from page 1)
so awesome about sending me cards and just loving
me in general. I feel it. And I know that I am prayed
for cuz even behind these prison walls and fences. . .
I am okay. Please keep the leers and prayers coming. Thank-you and God bless. Angie
P.S. This poem was wrien by a friend of mine in here
who doesn’t get any mail.
“MAIL CALL”
Darkness and loneliness fill my cell
with pain and fear too great to yell.
I wait for the mailman to deliver to me
as I wipe away tears that no one will see.
I pray so sincerely with head raised above,
“Please, God, soon send a letter of love.”
I long to gaze upon pages so dear
with riches to bring my loved ones near—
words of diamonds on pages of gold
a message from heaven as their story is told.
“We love you, miss you, and pray you’ll be free,”
a treasure filled envelope just for me.
Please bring memories of joys I once knew—
family, friends and things I would do.
But the darkness and pain of my cell will prevail
as my name, again, was not called for mail.
“Clyde’s Corner”
A Bird’s-Eye-View
It takes quite a lot to ruffle-myfeathers. But “they” didn’t allow room
for my article on this newsletter. It’s as
though I barely exist. Good grief. My-Sweety isn’t a
bit concerned—she’s more easy-going than I am.
However, when I made my displeasure known, I was
told the ATLAS Wish List was all-mine to share with
all-you. Okay, fine. Then I’ll start the list as I see
fit. . .
PARAKEET SEED, coffee, bottled
water, single-serving chips or Pringles,
30 gal. Hefty trash-bags,
postage stamps.
We’ll probably be over-run with wish-list items
simply because I’m the one in charge of it this time.
Thank-you in advance for proving me right! Let’s
show “them!” There, I’m feeling better already.
Now, time for some preening.
Until next time,
Clyde
Compass Pointe has opened a
treatment site in Sibley! ATLAS of
Osceola has graciously allowed us to use their building as
a site to provide assessment screening and treatment
which includes individual/group sessions. We are excited
to offer services for alcohol, drug and gambling issues
locally.
I’m Carol Hill. I’ve been an addictions counselor
with Compass Pointe since 2013. As some of you know, I
used to work for Family Crisis Center and was the Osceola County advocate for 15 years. I was a Rotarian here in
Sibley and though not a resident, have truly loved being
involved with this community. I have to give a “shoutout” to the S-O school district as being one of the most
pro-active, student-centered school systems I have had
the pleasure to work with!
Compass Pointe recognizes addiction as a primary disease of the brain. The disease of addiction wreaks
havoc in the life of the addict as well as their family and
friends. Recovery from this debilitating and often deadly
disease is a process, not an event. In order to change, an
individual must break through their defenses of denial,
minimization and rationalization. Recovery is possible
when an individual is motivated to change, accept responsibility for their actions and be held accountable.
Once their head clears, they begin to see how substance
use or gambling caused their live to become unmanageable. Through treatment individuals with addictions explore their problem and are given tools to motivate,
challenge and support healthy choices. If you or someone
you know would like to schedule an appointment, please
call Compass Pointe directly at 712-439-1170. I’m so glad
to be here in Osceola County again.
Carol Hill
The board and staff at ATLAS welcome Carol and
Compass Pointe to Osceola County. Carol’s compassionate
approach and vast experience is a blessing to all the clients
she works with. Most importantly, Carol introduces hope.
Where there is hope, healing and recovery can begin.
“Why wasn’t ATLAS here before I got married?”
“You were right; I didn’t go to the strippers last weekend and I lived.”
“Coming here keeps me from killing my kids.”
“Can we do phone-appointments when I’m driving overthe-road?”
“You have a beautiful waiting-room.”
“Twice a month isn’t enough; I need to get with you
once a week again.”