New Heights Georgia Newsletter - Fall 2014

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.”

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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

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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

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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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www.facebook.com/youthvillages

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.

HEDLINE 3 RED RED PULLQUOTE

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

LEDE STORY HED FAMILY VICTORIES

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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

Stay in touch online youthvillages.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/youthvillages www.facebook.com/youthvillages www.youthvillages.org

Holiday Heroes bring cheer to families