New Heights Mississippi – Spring 2013

Youth Villages spends a Day on the Hill ... 3

Gardens in the Gulf program ‘growing’ ... 6

Family Victories from Youth Villages Mississippi

A clear mission Transitional living program supports most vulnerable population: Mary can attest ... page 4

Get involved! Ways you can help Youth Villages ... 7

Spring 2013

A message from our director Hernando

Many children entering adulthood are at their most vulnerable stage: Our TL program helps ensure they’ll be ready

Tupelo Greenwood

Columbus

Mississippi Jackson

McComb

Imagine just being discharged from state

Meridian

Hattiesburg

custody – no longer a foster child, you’re an

Biloxi

adult and expected to do what adults do.

Get a job. Pay your way. Do it yourself.

Youth Villages board of directors

Most of us look forward to that time as one of independence, trying new things and tak-

Mike Bruns, Chairman

ing advantage of all opportunities. But what if

Bryan Jordan, Vice Chairman

you didn’t know anything about how to be an

Jimmy Lackie, Secretary

adult. Being in state custody or some other

Paul Bower, Treasurer

form of care, you never had the opportunity

Jim Barton Jr.

to learn about getting a job, filling out ap-

Eric Bolton

plications for jobs or school. You don’t know how to get insurance or an apartment. It’s all very daunting, which is why statistics

Marietta Davis Judith Edge

Katja Russell

Nicholas R. Ehlen

show many young adults exiting foster care

Jack A. Eiferman

do not succeed.

Joanna Jacobson

Today we highlight two young women who are succeeding in their own

Rev. Robert Earl Jones

right because of Youth Villages’ transitional living program, which pro-

Karole Lloyd

vides support for teenagers during that vulnerable period of beginning

Mark Medford

independence.

Johnny Pitts

In addition to Mary and Adrienne, we have 30 young people statewide in

Ray Pohlman

the program being served by four specialists. This program is supported

Ronnie Randall

entirely through donations, the majority of which come from our own

Pat Ritz

employees.

Michael Rose

In addition to this valuable service to young adults, we continue to serve

Richard W. Talkov

young people and families in our Mississippi Youth Programs Around

Matthew F. Tarkenton

the Clock program. Through our ongoing partnership with the Division

Scotland Thede

of Medicaid, the MYPAC program is now available as a service under the

David Tyler

mental health state plan, and we are proud to continue to provide these needed services across the state to about 250 young people every day.

Patrick Lawler, CEO

It’s through your support that we will be able to help more young adults like Mary and Adrienne become not only adults with jobs and contributors

Stay in touch online

YOUTUBE LOGO SPECS to society, but loving parents able to provide a future for themselves and

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their children.

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katja.russell@youthvillages.org

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Executive Director of Mississippi 601-572-3727

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News and events

*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.

100 80

87%

79%

87%

Microsoft has awarded a grant of more than $7.4 million in software and technology to Youth Villages, one of the nation’s largest pro-

In school or graduated

20

At One-Year Post-Discharge

No involvement with the law

40

Outcomes

At home with family

60

Microsoft Grants More Than $7.4 Million to Youth Villages

viders of help to children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families.

The grant is part of Microsoft’s YouthSpark initiative, which is designed to create opportunities for 300 million youth around the world.

It will provide software and support on Youth Villages’ residential campuses, supply technol-

0

ogy for young adults being helped through its

The graph above represents the status of Mississippi youth at one year after discharge through March 2013. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 59 percent.

transitional living program and improve the organization’s internal and external communications systems.

A day on the hill Youth Villages staff and youth meet, greet Mississippi state legislators

Staff and youth from Youth Villages Mississippi recently met with Mississippi legislators to let them know how Youth Villages helps children. Fred, pictured at right and above, participates in Youth Villages’ transitional living service and is a YV Scholar. Fred is majoring in computer engineering at Jackson State.

At left, Katja Russell, executive director of Mississippi, speaks with State Rep. Bill Kinkade. In addition to TL services, which are funded through private and employee donations, Youth Villages Mississippi also partners with the state for intensive in-home and foster care services.

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Transitional living

F

or more than a decade, Youth Villages has been working to help foster teens entering adulthood. Through a grant from The Day Foundation, Youth Villages began offering a voluntary transitional living program in 1999, specifically designed to help young people at their most statistically vulnerable point: beginning life as an independent adult after aging out of foster care or other children’s services.

Adrienne needed some help With children in state custody and another on the way, Adrienne didn’t have answers to the questions most children entering adulthood already know.

She didn’t have a job or a home and stayed with friends or family members when she could. She’d lost custody of her children and was leery of counseling and social services.

On top of that, she’s painfully shy and quiet.

“It was hard for her in the beginning,” said Natalie Thompson, Youth Villages transitional living specialist. “But she came around and started to get things going.”

Adrienne, above, worked with Transitional Living Specialist Natalie Thompson to find a place to live, budget her money and begin looking for a job. Adrienne’s also taking steps toward earning her GED.

Before, there was no talk of earning a GED or getting a job. But now, she regularly visits a nearby job center and researches jobs. She’s found an apartment and has enlisted family support for transportation and other needs.

Adrienne was referred to Youth Villages’ TL program through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Transitional living helps teenagers transition to adulthood and meet the requirements of being an adult. While in TL, she became pregnant again and worked on parenting skills and what she needed to do to maintain custody of her child.

“We worked on budgeting money and time and finding resources to make sure my son is taken care of,” Adrienne said. “It was slow going at the beginning, but things are getting better.”

Adrienne has a way to go, but she has taken charge of her life and is working toward a better future. She discharged from the program in December and is looking for a job. She wants to make a home for all of her children.

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“She’s completely different now,” Natalie said. “By the time discharge rolled around, she’d taken the lead on getting things for herself and her son. Something woke up inside her, and I’m confident she will do what she needs to do to succeed for her family.”

Transitional living

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outh Villages’ outcome data show that the program significantly reduces the risk of homelessness, poverty and illegal behavior among the young adults served. Based on outcomes through June 2012, of those who had completed the TL program:

• 86% lived idependently or with family.

77% reported no involvement with the law.

• 83% were in school, graduated or employed.

•

24 months after discharge

TL program adjusts to Mary’s new needs Mary entered the TL program with basic needs; two years later, how is the program helping her?

A lot has changed for Mary during the past few years – new baby, new school, new home and state. But she remains as determined as ever to achieve her goals.

Mary entered Youth Villages’ transitional living program in 2011, and the young mother learned simply how to get things done.

The first year in TL, Mary learned how to budget money and manage her time between college and her child.

She learned how to step out and try

Mary juggles her time between her daughter and family, work, school and personal time. The TL program has helped her for more than two years.

things to improve her life. Her nega-

How is TL helping now?

tive outlook on life was turning inside out. In her words, TL helped her “work to make my life the way I want it to be.

“It’s a little different with Mary,”

With a toddler at home and a job,

said Takashi McCoy, TL specialist.

Mary is focused on creating a stable

situation and I had negative influences

“Since she’s already made significant

home and getting through school. She

holding me back. Getting in the TL

steps in her independence, we work

meets weekly with Takashi and com-

program was a turning point in my

with more specific issues.”

municates more often when needed.

“I was struggling with my personal

life.”

The new focus is on things like

She sets small goals that get her

staying on top of finances and state

closer to larger ones. She’s still set on

and Mary has made quite a few chang-

benefits. Mary explains the relation-

a career in the veterinary field. The

es since then. For one, she relocated

ship as an evolution.

TL program helped her get through

But that was more than a year ago,

to a new state and started a new life.

At first, her TL specialist assisted

a difficult past, and continues to push

She’s still in school and in good stand-

Mary in establishing a blueprint for

ing in the YV Scholars program, which

her future and pushing her to get out

helps her pay for school provided she

and fight for what she wanted – first,

do things,” she said. “But more

meets and maintains academic and

to see a future, then to begin the

importantly, TL has my back. I’m not

community service requirements. But

process of making it happen.

afraid to try new things and strive

as Mary has gained confidence and

“Now, Takashi’s more like a peer,”

ability in navigating adulthood, those

Mary said. “I discuss things with her

basic needs the TL program provides

and she advises me of my options.”

her forward at 20 years old.

“Being in TL has shown me I can

for something more because Youth Villages is there.”

aren’t necessary.

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Volunteers Captain planet: Gardens in the Gulf

Captain Planet Foundation and Youth Villages recently teamed up to help some of the Mississippi families in our programs learn the basics of organic gardening along with healthy eating.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Captain Planet Foundation, Youth Villages staff and families were able to join Pascagoula High School and Martin Bluff Elementary students and faculty to celebrate Gardens in the Gulf Day, learn the science of organic gardening and construct a garden in the school’s own courtyard. Several Youth Villages families attended one of the events to learn organic gardening skills and take the newly acquired skills back to their own yards, where they built organic gardens with the help of materials provided by the Captain Planet Foundation grant.

Tending the gardens can also be therapeutic for the families and youth, leading to better communication and problem-solving skills. The grant has already helped enhance an existing organic vegetable, herb and flower garden at the Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus in Douglasville, Ga.

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Donors 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 327 children we help every day in Mississippi. Please call or e-mail Youth Villages to find out how to help.

Spreading holiday cheer

The following donors made gifts of $50 or more to Youth Villages between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2012. 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 the Youth Villages Development department at 601-572-3750.

YV Builder Best Buy Children’s Foundation

Friend of Youth Villages

Youth Villages Mississippi had hundreds of children and families who needed someone to become their Holiday Hero.

More than 40 individuals and corporate partners stepped up to help, raising more than $3,500 to provide holiday gifts for more than 125 children in Youth Villages programs.

As a Holiday Hero, you can make sure the children receiving help at Youth Villages get to share in some wonderful experiences and build memories that will bring smiles to their faces for life.

Mr. Armstead Brown Mr. and Mrs. James Butler Capitol Resources LLC Ms. Dianne Coleman Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Ms. Jennifer Downey Mr. Jim Ervin Dr. Michael Forster G & S Tax Service Ms. Mary Garner Ms. Claire Giffin Ms. Ina Graham Dr. M. Lewis Grubbs Mrs. Jane Heineke Mr. Clay Hiett Mr. and Mrs. G. Douglas Higginbotham Landmark Data Systems Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald McCormick Mr. and Mrs. Clyde McIntyre Rev. Wilbur Moore Ms. Frances Morrison Mr. Jeffrey Norris Pileum Corporation Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall Mrs. Betty Sanders Skeltons Wine & Spirits Inc. DBA Reservoir Wine & Spirits N. Stewart Mrs. Emily Whitaker

Memorials

“Having the opportunity to be an employee for YV as well as be able to play ‘Santa’ was a gift for me this year. I loved having the chance to truly make a difference in someone’s life without ever having to see the rewards myself. There is a joy in giving to others- that’s why I do what I do as an employee here, but I was able to extend that this year by giving to others in a different way.”

Ashley Teague, Youth Villages MYPAC supervisor, Hattiesburg

Interested in becoming a 2013 Holiday Hero?

Contact André Conway at 601-572-3750.

Ms. Dottie “Nana” Danley Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson

Honorariums

Ms. Lynda Drake Mrs. Lynettee Magee Pryor Mr. Ronnie Randall Ms. Heather Lefler Mrs. Haley Moffitt Mr. Lee Rone Ms. Frances Morrison

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YOUTH VILLAGES The Atrium Building 805 South Wheatley Street Suite 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157 (Address Service Requested)

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 20,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham Oregon: Portland Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.

New Heights Mississippi is published by Youth Villages

Managing Editor: Katja Russell

Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail Carl.Conway@youthvillages.org or call 601-572-3750 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to providing the most effective local solutions to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. We help more than 20,000 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.