Glenn
Past Employee
Positive Alternatives is VERY aptly named.
Working at PA (on the business side) helped me to continually remember that kids are not born "bad" but somehow learn it through following poor behaviors of family, peers, and circumstances. PA usually successfully provides the total "positive alternative" environment to help clients remodel their whole persons to become "good" kids, able then to lead happier and ultimately more successful lives.
As an employee, I achieved satisfaction to have, with Kelli and the Board, significantly improved the company's retirement benefit through indexed investments, much lower administrative costs, and very beneficial vesting rules. The changes quickly increased employee participation rates, contribution amounts, and financial planning for the future, all "positive alternatives" provided by the company for its employees to model. I suspect that the retirement benefit has been a tipping point for some (many?) employees to accept employment and/or remain with PA a bit longer or for the long, long term, to the company's benefit as well and at relatively low cost.
Bree
Current Employee
My name is Bree Lane, and I go by she/they. I started at PA back in February of 2023. This was my first job as a caretaker. When I first started at PA, I didn't communicate well and was very socially awkward. As a kid, I went through a lot, and knowing that I could help kids who were in the same situation made me fall in love with working at PA.
What I love most about PA is that Brenna and Chris have been helping me work through some of my own mental struggles. They helped me navigate through mistakes I had made and taught me how to handle the youth in a better manner. Recently, I was in a car accident, and I learned how to take a step back and let go of control. They have been working hard with me, supporting me through my recovery with a broken leg.
I have had the best support from my fellow co-workers. I have made a family with my co-workers, and they took me in after the hospital so I wasn't alone and had help while I healed. I will always be thankful for my job and for everyone in it.
Amber
Past Client
I want to say thank you so much for what Kelli Kamholz and Positive Alternatives have done in my life when I was a child. If it weren't for Kelli Kamholz and Positive Alternatives, I honestly don't know how I would have turned out as a child and the person I am today.
I had a troubled past when I was very young, and I was put in Positive Alternatives. At first, I did not want help from anyone, so I went there with an attitude where I didn't care what they were going to say to me. But then there were a couple of staff members, like Kelli Kamholz, who helped me understand what Positive Alternatives was about. Mind you, it took me a month or so to open up and let anybody talk to me or help me more. But they kept trying, and eventually, I allowed them to help me. It has made me get farther in life because I have also learned coping skills that I still use today. It wasn't an easy walk, but I had my good and bad days there, like any child would when they have to be in a group home. But honestly, to this day, I can say I'm glad that I was part of the Positive Alternatives experience, and I will always support what they do because if it weren't for them, I don't know where I'd be.
MG
Past Client
I love how one of the staff members brought in their dog during the winter and how another resident and I were outside playing in the snow—it was so much fun! I also love how spacious every room is, and the kitchen is just amazing. They also taught me how to cope with my trauma ✨😊
Anne
Youth Mentor/Case Manager
I have a friend who used to work at PA. She spoke very highly of PA and shared some of the best and worst experiences she went through. I expressed interest in working with youth but wasn't sure what direction to go in. She suggested I apply and see how it goes. I applied and was super nervous. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not, but I was immediately accepted by the staff and made good connections with the residents.
I've now been here for a little over a year and am finding it difficult to think about leaving. PA has become a place that has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I've been through some rough things while at PA, but I've had such good support from co-workers and leadership. I find that PA is very accepting and more than willing to teach new things. I also find that my co-workers and leadership don't get offended and follow through with what they say. They value my personal time and feedback. They have taught me to not be afraid to speak up and how to take constructive criticism. They've helped me grow in my confidence and have created space for me to achieve my goals.
I love the clients I work with. Seeing how they grow over time and knowing that I've impacted their lives is extremely rewarding. I love seeing how everyone's individual personalities are crucial to the individuals who walk through the doors. You're not going to get along with everyone, and you're not going to be the person every resident relies on. But they will find the person they can. Even if it's not me, it's beautiful to see how everyone's differences blend together to make the biggest positive difference in a client's life.
Jennifer
Past Employee
Many may not know that the current River Falls building/home is actually the second River Falls location. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to be the Adolescent Care Manager alongside Kelli Kamholz to start the River Falls location. Interestingly, the first location is just down the street. In the beginning, the staff office was in the laundry room/garage entryway. There wasn't a TV for quite some time, and all we had to get started was a hamburger puzzle. Positive Alternatives made the front page of the local newspaper—mostly because of the town's skepticism about us being there. Thankfully, that attention faded.
I saw many really amazing staff members, some right from the local college, come and go, all of whom truly made a positive difference in the lives of the youth. I saw many youth go through difficult and positive times. I worked with local communities and counties who shared their care for youth who were against the odds. I can only hope I helped change "just one life." For me, the experience was unmatched, and I'm grateful for those good, and sometimes less-than-good, days.
Jon Tomski
Board Member
I have worked with Positive Alternatives as a board member for 6 years and have assisted their clients and professionals through my role in the Wausau School District for 7 years. Over this time, I have found great value in the philosophy, ethics, and service that PA demonstrates every day in its work with our youth. I have worked with many students who have greatly benefited from PA's level of care and, through PA, have utilized the supports and resources provided to flourish in their adult lives. PA has had a profound effect on my school, our students, and the community. PA's past, present, and future accomplishments are certainly worth celebrating at this 50-year mark! Well done, Positive Alternatives!
Jason Mountin
Board Member
I joined the Positive Alternatives' board of directors on February 21st 2021. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last three and a half years serving such an outstanding organization and cause. I look forward and hope to serve PA for many years to come!
The Pertz Family
Positive Alternatives as an organization, but more so the staff – specifically Kelli Kamholz – have been a pleasure to work with. My family has been in the neighborhood of the Amery site since the early 1980s. We own recreational and hobby farm land adjacent to their site. We approached Kelli in 2022 with an idea to purchase some of the land owned by the organization at that time, with the interest of improving it for wildlife conservation and natural resources. The benefit to the organization was continued use of the land for recreation by their residents. We were thrilled by the partnership and the opportunity to work together on something mutually beneficial.
Laura Clark
Program Director
Being a part of the team at Positive Alternatives has allowed me to witness some really memorable milestones for the youth we work with. Some of my favorite memories are being a part of a few "first" for some youth including the first time they ordered food at a sit-down restaurant, their first trip to a waterpark, and their first time camping.
My favorite, and most memorable activity as a staff, was being able to accompany a youth for their first flight and their first professional play. This youth was gifted tickets to see Hamilton in Chicago and we were able to fly down, take the "L", explore downtown, and see the play before flying back in the same day. It was probably the most exhausting day I've worked but it was well worth it to experience all of that with them
