As I have mentioned, I run in, with, and against many winds. I am in a few associations, work with various associations and agencies to help better the lives of others, and work against addictions and other issues that afflict people.

In 2005, I started a new career as an aide and job coach to persons with disabilities. I am currently employed by Todd Steven & Associates (TSA) who provides community assistance and job coaching to persons with physical, emotional, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. These are people ranging from mild autism who need a little guidance and supervision to those with severe Cerebral Palsy or Multiple Sclerosis who need assistance with feeding and changing. TSA is a cutting edge service provider that helps disabled people realize the joys of life many of us take for granted... holding a job and being productive members of society, going to the shopping mall, going to a fast food restaurant for lunch, having an enjoyable swim at the local YMCA or community swimming pool, going for a walk in the park, going to the movie theater. These are all things that until recent years were completely inaccessible to many disabled people. Even with recent changes to overcoming the physical barriers that buildings and transportation were to these people, many of them still need someone to be there with them. Families are not always able to provide all of it and institutions and group homes are certainly limited to how much social activity and job support they can provide to their residents.

Providers such as TSA have trained and equipped people like me and my colleagues to provide life enhancing service to these disabled people who would either be wasting away in an institution or getting by with the limited resources that dedicated group homes could provide them.

Through our assistance, these people have been able to become more independent and productive members of society, taking a huge load off of tax payers, families, and home staff onto themselves with just a little assistance.

It is hard work, emotionally challenging and not always "fun" but it is very rewarding at the end of the day when you get home knowing that you have enhanced a few lives today and taken a bit of the load off of society by allowing someone the opportunity to carry themselves as much as their limits allow.

There is nothing like caring about someone that other people try to avoid because they are "odd" or too much to deal with. In a very short time, I have developed a deep respect for and devotion to these people.

I am a member of various emergency communications units as a volunteer ham operator, GMRS/FRS station, and Citizens Band Radio. Fond du Lac County REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams), Waupaca County RACES/ARES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services / Amateur Radio Emergency Services), SkyWarn (National Weather Service severe weather spotters) ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) and FCARC (Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club).
For more information about my ham radio life, visit W9SBU

At the University (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh), I have been involved in several programs and groups that are focused on peer education of students and enhancing the quality of life for students, faculty/staff and the community. These include the Peer Resource Organization (PRO) and the C.A.R.E Program. PRO is a student peer education program that provides programming and educational activities focused on increasing the quality of student life and promoting healthy choices. C.A.R.E. is the Campus Acquaintance Rape Education peer group on campus and provides educational programs bringing awareness of risks and resources related to rape. I am also a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM). CISM is a response team that provides guidance towards psychological and emotional healing for groups of people who have experienced an unusual trauma. Such traumas would include the death of a classmate, dorm resident, member of faculty/staff or a dorm or house fire that involves the death of someone. There are many other conditions that would be considered critical incidents also: industrial accidents, evacuations, bad traffic accidents and the list goes on. The purpose of CISM is to help people quickly process the emotions and thoughts associated with the incident. This process has been proven to help reduce the risk or probability of Post Traumatic Stress related to the incident and helps people return to the normal routine of life more quickly.

I speak regularly (once a month) at a local AODA treatment center and occasionally at two area halfway houses as a part of my recovery program. I have also presented educational programs introducing Narcotics Anonymous to inmates of a local prison.

I am a Founding Member of Sober Bikers United (SBU). SBU is an international association of people who live and/or support those recovering from alcoholism/addiction and like motorcycles and the fellowship of other bikers in recovery. I have served them as Director, Vice President, President and Web Master.

I am always available as a speaker in classrooms and organizations at the University and grade schools or youth groups in Wisconsin and in the community and as an AA/NA for open meetings.

Contact me if I can help:
Charles Clark

RunningWolf@Wolf-Running.com