TL study concludes ... 3
Publix volunteers at Inner Harbour ... 6
Family Victories from Youth Villages Georgia
Youth and staff celebrate African dance ... 4
Fall 2014
‘Get to living’
Yalisia takes small steps toward successful future — page 5
AmeriCorps comes through
Multiple AmeriCorps groups celebrate 20-year anniversary with Inner Harbour Campus renovations - page 4
A message from our directors
GEORGIA BOARD
Matthew F. Tarkenton* Chairman
Julie Seitz Co-chair
David M. Albano
Tanya Anderson and Kate Cantrell
Transforming the lives of Georgia’s children
There are many changes occurring both at Youth Villages Georgia and in the
Kenneth A. Campbell Robert F. Clayton Rick Crain Marietta Davis* Robert A. Douglass J. Todd Giles Lynn Goldman Archie L. Jones Jr. Karole Lloyd* Dara Mann Robert L. Rearden III
state as well. Tanya Anderson recently took the position of director of residential
Carolyn Stefanco
services, and brings a wealth of experience and talent to help ensure Youth
David Tyler*
Villages-Inner Harbour is helping children live successfully.
*member of Youth Villages’ national board of directors
Changes in Georgia’s child welfare system haven’t changed what we do to help children, but it could possibly mean more opportunities for Youth Villages to help young people like Yalisia. Somehow able to walk, Yalisia survived a drug overdose by getting to a hospital
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
emergency room. She’d been homeless for years, doing drugs and prostituting
Bryan Jordan
herself. She was getting by however she could, doing whatever she could, but
Chairman
wondered if it could be better. She told herself that if she made it through the
Bill Giles
hospital, she would change. Her first steps of change occurred at Youth Villages-
Vice Chairman
Inner Harbour.
Matthew F. Tarkenton
There, she regained her self-esteem. She was able to understand why she’d
Secretary
done things in the past and why she can’t do them now. Most importantly, she
Paul Bower
set lofty goals for the future — to help others, especially others like her. She’s
Treasurer
inspired staff and youth alike on campus because of her drive and optimism.
Marietta Davis
In addition, our partnership with DFCS and DJJ has allowed us to continue our services and possibly even expand some at Inner Harbour. We also welcomed a new AmeriCorps volunteer class to Inner Harbour.
Judith Edge Nicholas R. Ehlen Jack A. Eiferman
AmeriCorps and the many other Atlanta area businesses have donated their
Bill Giles
time and expertise to helping our youth and help keep our campus pretty.
Willie Gregory
Your time and effort help more youth like Yalisia be successful. From campus
Joanna Jacobson
beautification to mentoring, when youth see how much the community cares,
Karole Lloyd
they also see begin to see a productive place for themselves in that community.
Mark Medford
Thank you for supporting Youth Villages.
Johnny Pitts H. Patterson Ritz Michael Rose Richard W. Talkov
Tanya Anderson Director of Residential Programs-Georgia 4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135 770-852-6238 tanya.anderson@youthvillages.org
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Kate Cantrell Director of Programs-Georgia 4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135 770-852-6298 kate.cantrell@youthvillages.org
Scotland Thede David Tyler Chip Wade Chairman Emeritus: Mike Bruns
*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.
Program Success
As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
TL STUDY CONCLUDES WITH FAVORABLE OUTLOOK OF PROGRAM
GEORGIA PROGRAM SUCCESS
moving into adulthood
The first results from a randomized study of Youth Villages’ transitional living
100
services point toward a valid
80
67%
0
In school or graduated
20
69%
No involvement with the law
40
88%
At home with family
60
IMPLEMENTATION FINDINGS FROM THE YOUTH VILLAGES TRANSITIONAL LIVING EVALUATION
evaluation of the program, said Michelle Manno, research associate with MDRC, the
Michelle Manno Erin Jacobs Julianna Alson Melanie Skemer
national social research agency
March 2014
conducting the study. “Our report shows that the transitional living program in Tennessee has been implemented as we would have expected,” she said. MDRC’s implementation and participation findings are published in a 124-page report, Moving Into Adulthood. The first impact results from the study should be
The graph above represents the status of Georgia residential youth at one year after discharge through June 2014. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 52 percent.
available in mid-2015. Those results will show if the program is effective as compared to usual services for former foster children in Tennessee.
HATCHER MAINTAINS QUALITY AND SERVICE Alisha Hatcher began working at
requirements, including unannounced
Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus
site visits and comprehensive reviews
in 2007 as a teacher counselor. Now, as
of youth and employees records,
assistant director of Room, Board, and
among others.
Watchful Oversight - Georgia, Hatcher
“Room, Board and Watchful Over-
works with the state agencies that
sight is a level of care that has the
Hatcher at her desk.
refer the children.
greatest growth potential and opportu-
program that serves young people
The groups have different expec-
nity,” said Tanya Anderson, director of
with problem sexual behavior. Once
tations, and Hatcher has to juggle
residential programs for Youth Villag-
implemented, the number of youth
those with the demands and needs of
es-Georgia. “These programs serve
served may increase to 45 in the
troubled young people.
challenging youth, with heavy regula-
RBWO programs.
“We collaborate with our contracting agencies to meet the immediate needs
tion and oversight by state agencies.” At Inner Harbour, three group
“Not only has Alisha managed to keep our existing programs in good
of the children,” Hatcher said. “But we
homes serve youth ages 13-18. Hatcher
standing with these regulatory agen-
also discuss the long-term barriers to
has managed Georgia’s RBWO pro-
cies, but she is also adding on a new
each child’s success and work togeth-
grams for more than a year, and has
program which focuses on serving
er to help ensure they don’t impede a
changed much of the structure and
youth with problem sexual behaviors,”
child’s progress toward success.”
environment of care to better serve
Anderson said. “I love working with
children.
Alisha. She is straightforward and gets
Agencies evaluate Youth Villages’ programs according to their own
Hatcher is also overseeing a new
the job done.”
Fall 2014
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AMERICORPS ALL ABOUT SERVICE AT INNER HARBOUR Youth Villages AmeriCorps
organizations through projects on
alums, members of FEMA Corps
service Fridays, in addition to act-
Bayou 3, Hands On Atlanta
ing as first responders for disaster
AmeriCorps and Clayton State
relief in the state of Georgia.
AmeriCorps joined the Youth
Recently selected as Volun-
Villages AmeriCorps for its 20th
teer Team of the Year for the
anniversary service celebration
Boys and Girls Club of Metro
focusing on campsite renovations.
Atlanta and as a finalist for both
Since 2000, the Youth Vil-
the America’s Service Commis-
lages AmeriCorps program has
sions’ Innovation and Leader-
provided literacy and life skills
ship Award and the Corporation
tutoring, after school and summer
for National and Community
programming, service learning,
Service’s Service Impact Award,
and classroom assistance to stu-
Youth Villages AmeriCorps em-
dents at the Youth Villages-Inner
braces a strong ethic of service
Harbour Campus. Youth Vil-
and commitment to support
lages AmeriCorps also supports
each other and the children
local nonprofits and community
served by Youth Villages.
DRUMS AND DANCE
Something ‘fishy’s’ going on here
Youth and staff at Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus participated in an end of summer celebration of African dance. Boys and Girls groups participated in African dance classes with teachers Ali Camara and Marietou Cise. This was the 8th year of the summer of African dance, and both teachers agreed that it was the best so far. Drumming groups and dancing groups got up on stage and showed off the skills they learned over the summer.
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The Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus staff participated in a 3-day fishing tournament and fish fry. Octavius Darby caught the largest fish, which weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces.
The Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus is one of Georgia’s largest psychiatric residential treatment programs for seriously emotionally disturbed children and youth. Serving young people throughout the Southeast since 1962, the Inner Harbour Campus merged with Youth Villages in the fall of 2009. The campus includes a lake, a sports field, running track and playgrounds for recreational activities.
YALISIA ADJUSTED HER VISION FOR THE FUTURE Homeless teen decides to ‘get to living’ Yalisia was neglected as a child and lived with a guardian for years. When she was 13, she met a young man and thought they were going on a date, but he assaulted her. The resulting shame, coupled with low self-esteem and confidence, made her run from her guardian and the state’s children’s services. “I was homeless,” Yalisia, 18, said. “I was drinking, doing drugs and doing whatever I had to do to make it.”
Yalisia holds up her vision board, an exercise where she outlined her old self on one side and her new self on the other side.
She was abusing MDMA, known as Molly, in addi-
living.”
breakthrough.
outlined who she was versus
tion to marijuana, alcohol,
She told hospital staff
and prostituting herself to
she wanted help, and was
old life and a way to go for
told her story to a room of
pay for drugs and to find
referred to Youth Villages-
the future,” Ivory said. “She
teary-eyed behavior profes-
places to sleep. She called it
Inner Harbour.
saw the correlation between
sionals, moved by her story
her behavior and her ad-
of survival and heartened by her resolve.
freedom.
“Yalisia was willing to
“Yalisia saw an end to her
whom she wants to be. She
“I was lonely, desperate
receive help when she first
dictions, which explained
and needed places to stay,”
came here, but she wasn’t
why she continued in that
she said. “I felt neglected,
enthusiastic about it,” said
spiral.”
but I also thought I was free.
Ivory Smith, therapist at
That lifestyle got ahold of
Inner Harbour. “She was
Seven Challenges, a drug
me.”
somewhat uncertain of her
and alcohol treatment
future and she was de-
program for adolescents.
health care as well as help-
pressed.”
She noticed the support
ing teens who need a place
from staff and peers. She
to stay.
She overdosed one evening and stumbled to a local hospital emergency room. “I knew I’d overdosed and
She was also craving her
“I’m a big dreamer,” she said. “I want to do things for
Yalisia went through The
myself, but I also want to help others.” That includes a career in
old way of life. The transi-
researched Job Corps as an
“I’d like to foster teens in
I had to get to the hospital,”
tion to rules and structure
option to earn a living while
the future,” she said. “I want
she said. “I was suicidal. I
was a significant change for
completing her GED.
to give older kids a chance
was like, ‘God, if you get me
her, but after a few months
through this, I will get to
of work, Yalisia made a
Yalisia completed a vision board, a project where she
Fall 2014
continued on page 6 n
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Thank you for supporting Youth Villages. The following donors made gifts of $50 or more to Youth Villages between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2014. The board of directors and staff of Youth Villages gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful contributions. If you made a contribution during this time but it is not listed, please call 770-852-6259. YV Pillar $25,000 to $49,999
Friend of Youth Villages $50 to $999
Sara Giles Moore Foundation
Mr. David Albano Mr. Everrett Bailey Barnes Distribution - Atlanta Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Barnes Ms. Katya Battle Mrs. Rosario Bentley Dr. Roger Berkow Robert Berto Ms. Grace Biggs Booster Ms. Rene Busque Mr. Orlando Cabrera Gretchen Chadwick Ms. Ruth Collett Mrs. Bettie Combs Mr. William Custer Ms. Joan Denton Ms. Zana Dillard Douglas County Chamber of Commerce EarthShare Chapters Georgia Mr. Thomas Eaton Mr. Fred Evans Ms. Margaretta Gardiner Mr. Greg Genske Mr. and Mrs. Peter Goerig Mr. Clifton Goolsby Dr. Anthony Grasso Ms. Sue Hamrick Mrs. Verna Hauser Mr. Billy Hendrix Msgt. Harry Hengel, USAF Ret. Tonya Henry Sylvia Hill Ms. Frances Hipkins Mr. Bert Hixson Mr. Greg Hodges Mrs. Russell Hostetler Mr. Kevin Hurley Mr. Derek Jacoby Mrs. Carolyn Jenkins Mrs. Bryan Johnson Mr. Archie Jones John Jones Mr. Stanley Jones and Mrs. Barbara Cleveland Mr. David Kahn Ms. Nancy King
YV Leader $10,000 to $$24,999 Credit Suisse Mrs. Ermee Dixon John and Mary Franklin Foundation The Sartain Lanier Family Foundation
YV Protector $5,000 to $9,999 Ms. Karole Lloyd
YV Builder $1,000 to $4,999 Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Campbell Mr. Edwin Cook Ms. Marietta Davis Mr. Robert Douglass Mr. Dennis Esposito Mr. J. Todd Giles Ms. Lynn Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Goodendorf Ms. Susan Hendricks Mr. Eddie Hudson Ms. Michelle Leyden Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lubert Ms. Esmeralda Lucas Majestic Realty Foundation Ms. Dara Mann Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Mr. Mark O’Mara Mr. Ty Rhame Mr. David Seckinger Ms. Julie Seitz Turner Foundation Inc. Mr. and Mrs. David Tyler United Way of Greater Atlanta Mr. and Mrs. Paul Weeks Ms. Cindy Wollstein
YALISIA IS PLANNING FOR A FUTURE from page 5
and a safe place to stay.”
“She has to deal with the
Elke Kraushaar Ms. Effie Lea The Ledlie Group Mr. Edwin Levine Ms. Deborah Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lewis Dr. Dorothy L. Lord Mr. Nick Marshall Ms. Mary McGuire Dr. Mechelle Miller Ms. Misha Minesinger Ms. Adrienne Mittons Mt. Zion United Methodist Women Mr. and Mrs. Robert Noe Mrs. Madeline Norris Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Okey Ms. Kathryn Peabody Mr. Al Petrangeli Ms. Carole Pierpont Mr. Dan Piroli Mrs. Debbie Price Mrs. Janet Psychas Mr. Ruben Rabadan Mr. Robert L. Rearden III Mr. Jeff Reed Mr. Thomas Regan Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Reini Mr. Derek Rinaldo Ms. Katherine Robinson Mrs. Phyllis Rodbell Mr. Robert Salles Mr. Ted Scovill Mr. James Sherman Mrs. Ruth Sherred Mr. and Mrs. Chris Stanford Sara Stempfel Jean Stephens Ms. Jamie Steuer Ms. Carol Sullivan Mr. R. Michael Tancill Ms. Elaine Tarkenton Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Tarkenton Tull Charitable Foundation Mrs. Donna Turner UPS Foundation Inc. Ms. Alice Veasman Mr. David Wakeland Walmart Foundation Ms. Patricia Walsh Ms. Jill Yaracs Youth Service America
moments?’” Yalisia’s also improving
Publix volunteers help out at Inner Harbour Publix employees spent a day at Youth Villages-Inner Harbour painting and mulching our campus playground, and grilled some delicious hamburgers and hot-dogs for campus staff and youth for United Way’s Day of Caring.” This is the second time Publix employees visited Inner Harbour to help beautify the campus.
level of expectations for herself, turning what could
her interpersonal skills
have been a tragedy into a
and learning about healthy
triumph.
relationships and healthy
“I didn’t think Ms. Smith
reality of what happens if
boundaries. It’s a long way
and Youth Villages would
self-esteem and confidence,
she goes back to those old
from who she was eight
help me this much,” Yalisia
as well as preparing herself
places,” Ivory said. “When
months ago when she was
said. “Since I’ve been here
for those occasions when
she feels lonely or insecure,
admitted to Inner Harbour,
everyone has done noth-
she’s tempted back toward
we challenge her, we ask,
the only place that would
ing but help me. I have a
the life she once led.
‘What do you do in those
take her. She’s set a new
future now.”
She’s still working on her
6 Fall 2014
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JOIN OUR EFFORTS Become a force for families There are numerous ways to help. Mentor, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the children we help every day in Georgia. Please call 770-563-
WATSON RETIRES AFTER 36 YEARS
4985 or e-mail troy.robinson@ youthvillages.org to find out
Troy Robinson
how to help.
Beverly Watson recently celebrated her retirement from the Inner Harbour Campus after serving Youth Villages for 36 years. She has worked in various roles and departments, including switch board operator, medical records, administrative assistant, intake/social service coordinator, director of admissions, managed care contracting and marketing/agency relations. She most recently served as a regional representative in the marketing department at Inner Harbour.
Thinking of a planned gift? Whether you’re planning such a gift as writing a will or setting up a trust for Youth Villages, we have a portion of our website devoted to donations and planned giving. It contains information that may be valuable to you. Simply go to youthvillages.org/planned-
Steve Benskin
giving and you’re there. You will find an introduction to planned giving and a category titled “How Can I ...,” which lists all the vehicles included in a plan, including wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock or gifts of
YOUTH VILLAGES HELPED BY THE KING OF HARTS’ LOUIE TEE
real estate. In addition, there is a section on “why do I need a will,” a glossary of terms, an estate intention form and much more. For information, please contact Steve Benskin at 901-251-4820 or
kingofharts.com
e-mail steve.benskin@youthvillages.org.
Youth Villages is grateful and honored that Melissa Joan Hart chose us as the charitable partner for her new boys clothing line, King of Harts. Proceeds from the collection’s Louie Tee will support Youth Villages programs.
Stay in touch online
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Hart, star of the television show Melissa & Joey, recently launched King of Harts with
watermark
her husband, Mark Wilkerson. Proud parents of three young sons, the pair were inspired to create a line of “cool, durable
stacked logo (for sharing only)
and quality boys clothes.” Hart was the child star of Clarissa Explains It All and teen star of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
www.youthvillages.org
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YOUTH VILLAGES 4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135 (Address Service Requested)
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 22,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami Georgia: Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville Oklahoma: Tulsa Oregon: Portland Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.
New Heights Georgia is published by Youth Villages Please e-mail james.waddey@youthvillages.org or call 770-852-6259 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective local solutions to help children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families live successfully. We help more than 22,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders.
Atlanta Douglasville
Georgia
Emily Acker
Kate Cantrell
YOUTH VILLAGES CHRIS CRYE MENTORING PROGRAM Patrick W. Lawler Chief Executive Officer pat.lawler@youthvillages.org 901-251-5000
Lori Casey
Senior Intensive Care Coordinator Lowell Community Service Agency
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Become a force for families There is no better time to be in fundraising than during the holidays! To see the outpouring of generosity from corporations and individuals alike is always humbling. This season, I have been truly moved by the selfless acts of kindness of our supporters.
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BLUE HED HEADLINE 2 BRIEFS HED
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Because of the help of so many, more than 70 struggling families were able to put their stressors aside and create joyful holiday memories as a family.
Kristin Wright, Development Manager 781-937-7931, kristin.wright@youthvillages.org
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Message from our state manager PHOTO
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continued on page 7
CLINICAL TRIAL FOR TL YOUTH from page 3
SAME LINE DECK SMALL HED RED LIST COPY (donor)
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YV IN THE COMMUNITY
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Holiday Heroes bring cheer to families