Maine Township Wins Two Awards at State Conference

Maine Township recently brought home two more awards
from the annual conference of Township Officials of Illinois (TOI).
They are the 2016 Youth Staff Award, and 2016 Youth Leadership Award.
The Township was acknowledged in multiple categories for its many
outstanding services that enhance the lives of all residents, according
to Carol A. Teschky, Township Supervisor.

Singled out for recognition from staff and volunteers from among more
than 1,400 Townships across Illinois at ceremonies Nov. 15 in
Springfield, Kristina Oltrogge, a family therapist with MaineStay Youth
& Family Services, received the 2016 Association of Illinois
Township Committees on Youth (AITCOY) Staff Award, and Jacki Kaiser, a
volunteer mentor with MaineStay, received the 2016 AITCOY Youth
Leadership Award.

"Thanks in great part to the dedication of our elected officials and
township staff especially in MaineStay our work is regularly recognized
by our peers around the state for being innovative and of high quality,"
she said.

Oltrogge’s passion for helping youth is clearly evident by the great
outcomes she has achieved with her therapy clients. Using her gift of
creativity, she can quickly adjust her approach to best suit the needs
of her clients. She connects incredibly well with youth of all ages,
even those with particularly challenging issues. Perhaps the greatest
testament to her effectiveness as a clinician is that many of the
children with whom she works have encouraged their friends to see her
for help as well. In addition to therapy, Oltrogge is also involved in
leading an anxiety group and helping to run MaineStay’s summer camp for
at-risk youth.

Highly organized and intrinsically motivated, Oltrogge has
contributed to the operation of MaineStay and often takes on duties not
included in her job description. Whether Oltrogge is engaged in direct
service or working behind the scenes to help support other MaineStay
programs, she gives one hundred percent of her energy and demonstrates
an inspiring level of commitment.

Kaiser, a senior at Maine West High School, has been an active
participant in the Future Leaders peer mentoring program at Maine
Township. As a mentor in this program, Kaiser has acted as a positive
role model and has helped build confidence, self-esteem and social
skills among the younger program participants.

An excellent student, active in marching band, band, and choir at
school, Kaiser exemplifies a very balanced approach to life unusual in
someone so young. Her engaging personality, selflessness and dedication
have had a tangible impact on many.

For more information about Maine Township and its MaineStay Youth & Family Services department, call 847-297-2510 or visit www.mainetownship.com.

Caption information:

Maine Township officials and staff attended the Township
Officials of Illinois (TOI) conference last week and picked up two
statewide awards. Here, l to r, are Clerk Gary K. Warner, Trustee
Kimberly Jones, Highway Commissioner Walter Kazmierczak, Kristina
Oltrogge, Trustee Peter Gialamas, and Supervisor Carol A. Teschky.