Orion Area Youth Assistance caseworker Tom Swieboda is new to Lake Orion, but he’s no stranger to the Youth Assistance program.
Swieboda, who started work in the CERC on April 11, spent nearly eight years working for Youth Assistance in Ferndale, where his office was in the high school.
Before that, he worked for Oakland Family Services in Pontiac, and prior to that Boys Republic in Farmington Hills.
‘I did my undergraduate work at the University of Michigan, and I earned my master’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan,? said Swieboda, who grew up in Detroit with three brothers and one sister.
‘I started at Boys Republic in 1979 and I was there for 10 years,? he said. ‘It’s a residential treatment facility for emotionally-impaired males.
‘I wanted to do something more preventive though,? Swieboda said.
So he took a job with Oakland Family Services, where he worked for seven years before joining Youth Assistance in 1997.
Youth Assistance is an Oakland County-wide program, sponsored by the Circuit Court Family Division as a partnership with the local school districts and municipalities.
‘I love working with families,? said Swieboda. ‘I like getting in there and listening. There’s always a reason for their behavior…We’re there to try to find that reason.?
Swieboda believes if you can catch a child early enough you can really make a difference.
‘We take referrals from ages 6-17 years,? he said. ‘I do short-term counseling with the kids and their families. If we feel they need to go long-term, we will refer them to someone.?
Swieboda said the Orion Youth Assistance Board of Directors is currently looking for more volunteers, and at more fundraising ideas.
‘We’re going to start a tutoring program,? he said. ‘Maybe provide more in parent education.?
Swieboda visited Lake Orion before taking over as caseworker, when he was a part of the computer committee for Youth Assistance.
‘I came out here and helped the caseworker who was here then with (the computers),? he said.
Swieboda and his wife Jennifer live in Auburn Hills with their 10-year-old son, Sean.
‘I live 10 minutes away, I love it,? Swieboda said.
From the time he was a young student himself, Swieboda knew he wanted a positive direction for his life that would have him helping people.
‘I love making that connection and helping students feel good about themselves,? he said.
‘It’s always exciting to see volunteers become involved and do the work, helping in their community.?
Swieboda calls his role as caseworker a ‘dual? one.
‘Technically, I am a consultant to the volunteers and the board,? he said. ‘I also do family counseling. I always wanted to be a counselor, and listen to people.?
Swieboda seems to have passed that trait onto his son Sean, who Swieboda said is often the one to declare ‘family time? at home.
‘He plays baseball three days a week, and he does Tae Kwon Do. This summer he’ll be swimming,? added Swieboda. ‘I spend a lot of time with him.?
According to Swieboda, OAYA’s program is growing and he believes it is on the brink of an expansion.
‘We’re getting the word out,? he said. ‘It’s open to anyone in the community. They can volunteer once a year or once a week. We can tailor it to fit their time.?
Swieboda said the staff has been ‘awesome,? and that the board has been very welcoming to him.
‘They’re all very involved and always thinking of ways to help,? he added.