Letter From The Executive Director Of The Academy At Swift River

I hope the summer finds you well and in good spirits! After a month and a half in office as the Executive Director of Academy at Swift River (ASR), I thought it was important that I communicate with you about our work here in the hill country of the Berkshires. While there have been some leadership changes in the past few months, the incredible staff here have continued to provide student-centered services that are effective and life-giving. "New Beginnings in New England" is not just a catch phrase but a very real and tangible experience for the young people and families who become part of our community. Comments expressed by moms, dads, and students at the graduation three days after my arrival all spoke to the dedication of our staff and the growth experienced by the graduates!

While some of you have known me from my previous independent school work (Dublin School, Maine Central Institute), there are those among you for whom I need to introduce myself and speak about my vision for ASR. Previous to school work I was involved in ministry for twenty one years, which included pastoral counseling, parish work, retreat ministry and college chaplaincies. Administration, management, marketing, development, and student life have all been part of my professional work over the years, which also have allowed me to partner with all constituencies involved in educational settings.
My first encounter with ASR came through a young man named Matt. Nine years ago Matt became my advisee at Dublin School after completing his program at ASR. As a confident, self-assured and self- advocating student, Matt impressed both students and faculty and quickly became one of our best student leaders. Matt is now a very successful investment banker in southern NH.
Since Matt's graduation from ASR, our school has grown and matured in a number of ways. For almost 5 years the basis of our program utilizes the researched-based model of Prochaska's Stages of Change. We offer an individualized program tailored to meet the needs of the student and their family, thus allowing students to navigate their academic and therapeutic journey in their own time frame.

What have I noticed in my first few months at ASR? I've seen great students who desire change for the good. I've noticed staff who care deeply about what they do and who go beyond the call of duty, often coming in on days off to run an activity or program. These kinds of things excite me as I work to support our students, staff and program. Our residential, clinical and academic programs are working hard to be almost seamless in their combined efforts to serve our students. We have added two additional community meetings per week to "showcase" student and staff talent in music, poetry and the arts. Our new Athletic Director, Olympian Shelly Szkutak, is developing a program that meets the wellness needs of all our students that will educate them and keep them physically fit.

In addition to the emotional, academic, and social fitness aspects of ASR's program, I am hearing from students and staff of the need for greater attention to spirituality in everyday life. Students have recently built a Zen meditation garden and our on-site Recovery Coach has proposed small group/solo outdoor experiences where students could use "space and time" to re-connect with themselves and with the powerful experience they had in wilderness programs. And, as part of our focus on Health and Wellness, I will be offering a course or group to study spirituality as a way to view the world, how one fits into it, and how it can nurture healing and transformation.

Every community is larger than its individual members. Change is bound to happen when individuals come and go, but the strength of a program is in its ability to continue the course that works well. ASR's "course" has been successful as a well researched and clinically proven program that helps kids and families rediscover, renew, reconnect, relearn, rekindle, reunite, and return! With your help, I would like to make ASR the best therapeutic school in the country.

If you have not been to the hill country of the Berkshires we would love to see you visit with us. If you have not been here for a while, please consider a re-visit.
I would be happy to speak with you at any time if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach me at: 413-634-3105 or jmarquis@swiftriver.com.

Thank you for your kind attention; I look forward to our future collaborative work.

John Marquis
Executive Director