New Heights East Tennessee - Fall 2011

Searching for families ... 3

Sharing stories of success at CEO breakfast ... 7

Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee

Aszelee’s plans After 10 years in foster care, she’s ready to do her own thing page 4

Life of service

Knoxville foster family continues helping children after cancer tragedy page 5

Charting Youth Villages’ successful outcomes ... 3

Fall 2011

Johnson City Morristown Knoxville

A message from

Chattanooga

Our director

YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clarksville

Committed to improving the lives of children

Paris

Dyersburg Jackson

Memphis

We all know people from our past who changed our life.

It’s the person who leaves an indelible impression on us, causing us to change our focus and accelerate toward an achievement or goal. Sometimes that impression is very specific. Other times, maybe he or she created an environment where we were comfortable and secure enough to pursue an interest.

Larry was one of those people, and he left an impression not only on the youth he helped, but also on those of us who worked with him.

East Tennessee recently lost a fierce advocate for children. Larry Plaisance is highlighted in this edition of our newsletter. A foster parent for teenage boys, Larry and his wife, Nancy, didn’t shy away from difficult youth. They embraced them, and provided a safe home for more than 30 youth during the past decade or so. Ironically, it was Larry’s cancer diagnosis that led to the family becoming foster parents. And in this time of grief, the family, including the three youth living in the home, has become closer.

Foster parents will tell you being a good foster parent isn’t easy. Foster youth remember the bad homes, but thrive in the good ones. And Nancy and Larry’s home was just that. It was a place where youth were comfortable being themselves, a place where the past didn’t matter, only the present and the future.

Larry and Nancy were committed to helping children. There was doubt whether Nancy would continue as a foster parent after Larry’s death. But Nancy and her biological son are committed to continuing what was started years before.

Nancy told her youth, “When you’re family, you stick together.”

In that spirit, the legacy of Larry continues in this family and these youth, who pursue their future knowing first-hand the love, respect and commitment that one can give to another. And that giving can change lives.

Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org

2

Cookeville

NashvilleBruns, Chairman Mike Dickson Ronnie Randall, Vice Chairman Columbia Linden Jimmy Lackie, Secretary Paul Bower, Treasurer Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Kenneth Campbell Terry Cross Marietta Davis Nicholas R. Ehlen Lewis Holland Sr. John Hutchins Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Bryan Jordan Karole Lloyd Mark Medford Jim Parrish Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Jennifer Queen Pat Ritz Matthew Tarkenton Scotland Thede David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO

CONTACT US Chattanooga 5741 Cornelison Road 6400 Building Chattanooga, TN 37411 phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880 Johnson City 3915 Bristol Hwy #101 Johnson City, TN 37601 phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550 Knoxville 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475 Knoxville, TN 37923 phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580 Morristown 225 West First North Street, Suite 302 Millennium Square Building Morristown, TN 37814 phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180

Program Success

(Z H UH[PVUHS SLHKLY PU [OL ÄLSK VM ILOH]PVYHS OLHS[O @V\[O =PSSHNLZ OHZ TLHZ\YLK outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

STATE PROGRAM SUCCESS 100 80

While most schools start in August, July in Youth Villag-

Outcomes 85%

84%

children in our programs have the supplies they need to

92%

return to school.

Because of the support of area individuals and organizations, Youth Villages’ Back Pack Heroes Program

In school or graduated

No involvement with the law

0

At home with family

20

es’ East Tennessee offices is a busy time helping ensure

At One-Year Post-Discharge

60 40

MORE THAN $4,000 RAISED FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The graph above represents where children are one year after being discharged from Youth Villages’ programs, including residential treatment, group homes, foster care and/or intensive in-home services. Youth may receive multiple services while enrolled. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 55 percent.

YOUTH VILLAGES MERGES WITH OREGON’S CHRISTIE CARE ChristieCare of Oregon and Youth Villages celebrated their merger June 1 during ceremonies at the organization’s Lake Oswego campus.

was once again successful, with $4,325 raised toward the purchase of school supplies and backpacks for 169 East Tennessee youth. Many donors chose to to shop for the supplies themselves then donate the filled back pack.

A special thanks to the many Youth Villages team members who shopped for the supplies on behalf of our donors, and an additional thanks to our donors: Sam & Jerry’s Market &

Bailey Insurance - Mike

Deli – Jerry Hinson

Bailey

Mary Lewis

Knoxville Association

Chelsey Snider

of REALTORS©

Katie Bondurant

Michelle LaRose

Mary Sharp

Ashley Hollendar

Taking IT Home – Leonard

Ashley Brooks

Knight

Greenbank - Joel Crippen

Ben Grace

Fleenor Security Systems -

Digital Consultants - JR

Beth VanDyke

Charles

Whitney McKee

Entrepreneurial

Melissa Jackson

Transitions - Robert Wilson

Nathan Johnston

The new organization, called Youth Villages-Chris-

Fay Bailey

Valeria Smith

tieCare of Oregon, offers intensive in-home services to

Lori McKelvy

Katherine Reynolds Bible

families in Clackamas and Washington counties, while

Martin & Loretta Brown

Study Group -

continuing ChristieCare’s 150-year history of providing

Sarah Hicks

Alison Anderson

residential and other services to troubled children and

Karen Wooten

Katie Connell

youth.

Rony Gracious

Caty Hodges

“What we need in Oregon are proven, cost-effective

Anne Teasley

Julia Landreth

alternatives to more expensive foster care and residen-

Cross Park Realty

Lindsay Frazier

tial services, as well as prevention services that allow

Partners - Konda Burnett

us to preserve and strengthen families before they fall

Broyles Florist, Inc. - Sara

apart,” Saxton said. “That’s exactly what we are now able to offer to Oregon’s children and families.”

Engel Acadia Healthcare – Clay McCoy 3

AFTER 10 YEARS IN FOSTER CARE, ASZELEE’S READY FOR INDEPENDENCE Aszelee’s working things out.

It’s a long process, but not one she’s unaccustomed to – she likes to be prepared. And she’s positive; she keeps reminding herself that in the end, her efforts will pay off.

Not long ago, Aszelee turned 18 and closed out 10 years in foster care throughout East Tennessee. In late May, she graduated from high school.

Months before, she faced the question most foster children face as they age out of state custody.

Now what?

“When I was 17, it hit me that I was about to

Azelee’s graduated high school and is focused on college and beginning an independent life.

get out of foster care

“Before I met Aszelee we spoke on the

It’s unusual for someone to be that

phone and I knew I would enjoy work-

focused.”

and I didn’t have any options,” she said. “I had

ing with her.”

Aszelee did the research and found

Aszelee’s drive to better her situation included a summer visit to ex-

to find a place to stay,

housing and transportation resources

tended relatives out of state. Aszelee

get insurance, a job, and

she could use. She came up with a

has a network of friends and former

plan that started with finishing high

foster parents for support. She had

I had to finish school. I

school and then getting into college.

some good, but many bad experiences

She’s working on applications and

in foster care.

didn’t know what was

financial aid now. She would like to

“Foster care was difficult,” she said.

pursue performing arts in college.

“It didn’t prepare me for anything. I’m

available. I was a little overwhelmed.”

Youth Villages began transitional liv-

probably more driven sometimes be-

ing for youth aging out of state custody

cause of my situation, but I had to find

in 1999. Through a grant from The Day

resources myself. I had to get out and

She was also angry. Aszelee was

Foundation, Youth Villages helps these

look around to find out what to do.”

placed in foster care in 2001. She was

children get a good start on adulthood

She wants to teach and also be a

physically aggressive and had difficul-

in the crucial years between age 17

foster parent in the future. She wants

ty coping with frustrating situations.

and 22. Transitional living special-

youth to know what’s available so they

“Before, I used to lash out in anger,”

ists help young people learn to deal

don’t find themselves in the same situ-

Aszelee said. “But now I keep remind-

with the minor and major problems

ation at 17.

ing myself that I have a plan and I

that come with adulthood. They help

Aszelee said she’s “keeping her eyes

have to remember that I’ve got to

participants find housing and health

on the prize,” as she works toward her

make things better for me.”

services, learn how to access trans-

goals – getting out, getting a degree

After many foster homes, she was

portation, meet their basic needs and

and helping others.

referred to Youth Villages’ transitional

work through educational and career

living program in September 2010. She

goals.

relocated to the Knoxville area.

“She’s so resourceful,” A’lana said.

“It was into the school year, so we

“When we meet, she thinks things

first worked toward finding a school,”

through, comes up with a plan and

TL Specialist A’lana Rodgers said.

says, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do.’

4

And in the future, should another youth much like her be placed in her care as a foster child? They shouldn’t worry.

They’ll have a plan. They’ll work things out.

LEGACY OF CARING LEFT FOR FAMILY AND FOSTER YOUTH “Whatever happened before, it won’t

“When you’re family, you pull

happen here.”

together.”

L

arry was a salesman for more

Larry passed away last summer. His

than two decades when he was

last years were spent helping foster

diagnosed with cancer. He wasn’t able

teenage youth and assisting his young-

to keep his job through the treat-

est son, Devan, with a mixed martial

ments. Unable to work, he confessed

arts training center. The foster chil-

to his wife, Nancy, that he would go stir

dren also helped with the business,

crazy if he didn’t find something to do.

some even participating in the classes.

Nancy, a medical coder, heard a spot

Devan runs the center, trains and

about Youth Villages and the need

fights professionally.

for foster parents on a local Christian

Just a few short months after Larry’s

radio station.

death, his imprint is left on the youth

“I told him about it and he called,”

he helped and the children he raised

she said. “I guess the rest is history.”

with Nancy. Devan returned home to

There are three boys in Nancy’s

“We got the kids nobody else want-

home, ages 16, 17 and 18. They all have

ed,” he said. “Dad was strict, but he

difficult pasts. They’re just three of the

was fair and honest.”

more than 30 teenage boys Nancy and

help.

“I couldn’t ask for better parents,” Devan said. “Mom and dad were al-

Larry told the youth when they first

ways taking care of people, and there

Larry have fostered over the years. Lar-

came to the house that everyone was

was always someone at the house

ry, the oldest of eight children, wanted

treated the same. The first priority

when I was growing up.”

to help the toughest ones. Larry and

was safety and security.

Nancy’s biological children didn’t mind.

“I’d show them their room and

“The teenage boys, that’s who Larry

sometimes they’d come right back

At the heart of their success were Larry and Nancy’s complementary strengths, and love.

wanted to help,” Nancy said. “They

out, sometimes they’d stay in there

seemed to be the best fit for us. We

for a while,” Nancy said. “Then we’d

that he was very strict, but fair and

fostered juvenile justice children for

tell them, ‘You’re safe here. Whatever

consistent with all the children,”

a very long time. Some of them were

happened to you is in the past, and it

Nancy said. “He wouldn’t lie to them.

very difficult.”

won’t happen here.”

Granted, we had older boys, but they

Devan, their youngest biological son,

“What made us a good team was

respected him for the way he treated

was more succinct. continued on page 6

ROBERT PREPARES FOR COLLEGE Robert’s had a big summer.

He attended a leadership forum at Disneyworld, attended his high school prom, became a Christian and graduated high school. He’s also narrowed his college choices for the fall.

Robert has been staying with Nancy and Larry for the past few months. Their home had a big effect on him.

“Before, I wasn’t really confident,” he said. “But they accepted me and I felt more at ease. I could be myself.”

Larry recently passed away, and Robert’s more committed to helping the family stay successful, including helping Robert with his TL specialist, Cassie

continued on page 6 5

LARRY from page 5 them.”

“She’s the best mom I’ve had,” one

thought about fostering children many

and most important, letting them

years before, but they wanted to wait

find their own way while having a

until their children were older. Devan

safe place to stay. Larry’s passing has

was a senior in high school when Larry

brought the family closer, but it’s also

was first diagnosed. Now the family is

strengthened Nancy’s commitment to

stronger and more committed to one

helping children.

another.

foster youth said.

“I don’t think they know how much

“These kids are like brothers to me,”

“Mom’s better at sugar-coating

they really help just being here and

things,” another said. “She’s very

Devan said, acknowledging the three

helping to get through this time,” she

comforting and motherly. She listens,

youth in their home. “They help out

said. “We’re just plain old people. But

doesn’t judge and genuinely cares

with the martial arts center and help

so many kids need somebody to be

about you.”

around the home.”

good to them and be there for them.”

The family spoke often about the

Devan’s move back home has been good for the children and her, Nancy

inevitable.

“We knew cancer would eventually get Larry, and I knew the children

In addition to the family, Larry will also be missed at Youth Villages.

said.

“What an honor it was to know him

“It’s just the same as any home,” she

and serve with him,” said Julie Bau-

were wondering what would happen,”

said. “They tried me a little bit to see

man, treatment foster care supervisor

Nancy said. “I brought it up one day

what they could get away with, but De-

in Youth Villages’ Knoxville office.

and told them odds are Larry’s not go-

van’s stepped up to help. They really

ing to live a long time, you never know,

love Devan.”

Hilary Campbell, placement specialist for the East Region, said: “After

but I’m still going to be a foster parent.

Nancy’s oldest son is in the Air

“I’m not giving you kids back. When

Force. Nancy said Larry was a tire-

one of the boys in Larry and Nancy’s

less advocate for the children, going

care how he was doing. He said, ‘OK

to court on their behalf, cooking for

… well, not good … I mean, I just lost

them, helping them, coaching them

my dad.’”

you’re family, you pull together.”

Many of their former foster children come back to visit. Nancy and Larry

READY FOR COLLEGE AND INDEPENDENCE from page 3

learning of Larry’s passing, I asked

recently began offering ad-

the TL program. She filled

ditional support for youth

in for another employee by

in the transitional living

transporting Robert a few

program who plan to go to

months before.

“We hit it off right away,”

with the family business, a

a good start on adulthood in

mixed martial arts school

the crucial years between

Cassie and Robert visit

Cassie said. “We found that

run by Devan, Larry and

age 17 and 22. Transitional

regularly and talk nearly

we have quite a bit in com-

Nancy’s youngest biologi-

living specialists help young

every day. Robert also

mon. When Robert came

cal son. But Robert’s circle

people learn to deal with the

credits his foster home for

to TL, we didn’t have to go

of help doesn’t end with

minor and major problems

getting him on this path to a

through that orientation

his family. Robert’s par-

that come with adulthood.

brighter future.

period because we already

ticipating in Youth Villages’

They help participants find

transitional living program.

housing and health services,

the world,” he said. “We do

Cassie Mitchell is his TL

learn how to access trans-

everything together. Six

specialist.

portation and meet their

months ago I wasn’t like I

structure in place, Robert is

basic needs. Counselors

am now.”

excited about his future.

“Cassie’s the biggest

college.

“It’s the best home in

Robert’s spent many years

knew each other pretty well.”

And with a support

“I’ve gotten a lot out of the

help,” Robert said. “We’re

teach life skills like budget-

working on time manage-

ing, menu planning and

ment skills and researching

grocery shopping. Young

He was adopted once

colleges. She’s helping me

people in the transitional

before, but his adoptive

for me. The support I’ve

with financial aid paper-

living program set education

parent terminated rights.

received from home and

work for school.”

and career goals.

He has a history of physi-

from Cassie has allowed me

in foster care.

past six months,” Robert said. “It’s been a lot of firsts

cal aggression and other

to do it, to stretch out and

transitional living program

of the second group of YV

behaviors. Cassie met

do things I didn’t think I’d

in 1999 to help children get

Scholars. Youth Villages

Robert before he enrolled in

be able to do.”

Youth Villages began a

6

Robert is also a member

JOIN OUR EFFORTS

Become a force for families

There are numerous ways to help.

Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to our programs.

Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the more than 450 children we help every day.

Please call or e-mail me to find out how to help.

Thinking of a planned gift?

There are as many different ways to support Youth Villages as there are needs for your support. If you are new to the concept of planned giving, please click Donate on www.YouthVillages.org and then go to the Planned Giving website for information on wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.

Gary Johnson

Resources there include definitions, wording for wills,

Development Manager

stories of how instruments are created and much more.

865-560-2075

You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to

gary.johnson@youthvillages.org

see what a planned gift would mean in your unique circumstances. For information, contact Gary Johnson at 865-560-2075 or e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org.

Join our networks www.facebook.com/youthvillages

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www.youthvillages.wordpress.com

Youth Villages hosts CEO breakfast Youth Villages in Knoxville recently

in foster care and how Youth Villages has

hosted a CEO breakfast at Sequoyah Grill

helped her since aging out of state custody,

in Bearden Village. Bryan Jordan, CEO

including finding a job, a place to live and

of First Horizon and Youth Villages board

many other requirements of independent

member, spoke to 20 of Knoxville’s promi-

living.

nent leaders about responsible community

Attendees were also shown how they

investment. Youth Villages CEO Pat Lawler

could help Youth Villages through a dona-

also showed a brief video of Youth Villages’

tion or volunteer opportunity.

work to help at-risk children. In addition.

Youth Villages Transitional Living Specialist A’lana Rodgers interviewed Carom, a young adult in the TL program. Carom shared her story of growing up

7

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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

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New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Managing Editor: Gary Johnson Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org or call 865-560-2075 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective proNYHTZ HUK ZLY]PJLZ [V OLSW LTV[PVUHSS` [YV\ISLK JOPSKYLU HUK [OLPY MHTPSPLZ ;OL WYP]H[L UVUWYVÃ&#x201E;[ VYNHUPaH[PVU WYV]PKLZ a fully integrated continuum of services, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care and adoption, mentoring and a transitional living program for young adults aging out of foster care.