
Every day is a journey, Matsuo Basho
journey, and the journey itself is home.
Every day is a journey, Matsuo Basho
journey, and the journey itself is home.
For many children we help, the road of life has been anything but easy. Because most of our children have already endured more hardship, trauma and troubles than many adults will see in their entire life’s journey, our programs focus on setting them on the path for a lifetime of success.
We focus on serving children and families effectively while helping to transform child welfare systems. This year, we helped 16,295 children and their families—2,343 more than last year—chart a different course for their lives. You’ll meet some of them in this report. Even with such growth, our programs’ integrity remained intact, with success rates reaching more than 80 percent.
Some highlights of our year include:
◊ Expanding into New Hampshire.
◊ Continued recognition from the White House.
◊ Recognition in a Casey Family Programs case study for partnering with Tennessee to safely reduce the number of children in foster care by 34 percent.
◊ Being named one of the Top 50 Nonprofits to Work For by The Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group.
◊ Receiving employee contributions of more than $850,000 to help with our important work.
We’ve also encountered hardships along our journey this year, with flooding in Atlanta and Middle Tennessee destroying offices and homes. But our Youth Villages team continued to help one another and our families in these challenging circumstances. Their generosity and that of our volunteers, mentors, foster parents and donors is overwhelming.
Helping our children and families step solidly on the road to success takes all of us. With your support, we can do more next year: we can expand into new communities and help more children and families. We can be the force for good, the force for change—the force for families.
Thank you for your help,
Michael J. Bruns Chairman of the Board of Directors Patrick W. Lawler CEO“And think about Youth Villages, which Sonal Shah—the director of my Social Innovation team—visited in Memphis as part of our Community Solutions Tour… In 1994, Youth Villages decided to focus on a home-based model to help children struggling to overcome serious emotional or behavior challenges. Since then, they have seen remarkable results…Imagine if we could help every child with these challenges reintegrate into their community? Youth Villages tells us it’s possible.”
17,000 children problems intensive in-home
“We could not have achieved these gains without the diligence and of partners such as Youth Villages…”
-Dr. Viola Miller, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services speaking about 34% reduction of children in state custody
Villages family counselors have helped more than children with serious emotional and behavioral and their families since it began offering in-home services in 1994.
and vision
Services Commissioner, custody since 2000.
www.YouthVillages.org.
-The NonProfit Times and Best Companies Group
“Youth Villages [is] one of the 50 best nonprofit organizations to work for in the United States.”
these
Villages…”
Kendra’s cheerful personality reveals nothing of what she’s been through —but everything about who she is. Neglected and abused as a child, she eventually came to live with a Youth Villages foster mom. She found stability, put her trust in God and worked hard in school.
“I wanted to build my life. I wanted an education, to go to college,” she said.
Youth Villages matched Kendra with a transitional living counselor. TL, begun in 1999, helps former foster youth like Kendra make a successful leap into independent adulthood. Today, Kendra, 23, is a junior in college and the mother of Genesis, 2. Majoring in social work, she also works parttime helping the elderly. She hopes to graduate next year.
“I have always wanted to help people. I think I can help people solve their problems,” she said.
Garry’s mom loves her son and has always wanted the best for him. The nurse even moved the family to Nashville to give Garry a better chance to start a career in music. Instead, Garry’s behavior spiraled out of control. The teen disregarded curfews, got into fights at school and violated his probation. Finally, his probation officer had enough. She sent Garry to residential treatment at Youth Villages. At first, Garry was resistant to the idea of changing his ways.
“Seeing my mom cry made me want to change,” Garry said. “I never want to make her cry again.”
His Youth Villages counselors and peers also pushed him to make changes. Garry, who has been writing songs for years, began writing songs about his changing perspective and who he wants to be. Now 18, he is ready to move home and resume his goals.
“I want to go to college,” he said. “I want to become a sound engineer and continue to play music.”
Mariah is ready for college and preparing for life as an adult. Many young people who grow up in foster care don’t complete their education or find steady employment. During this critical time, young people transitioning to adulthood may not have the ability to find a job or a place to live or to enroll in college—no one has ever shown them.
Youth Villages Transitional Living Specialist Tia Roberts has helped Mariah reach her goals, including graduating high school and entering college. With this support, Mariah has learned how to communicate better with others and build her self-confidence.
“She gave me the push to believe in myself,” Mariah said of Tia and the TL program. “I cannot think of anything that she hasn’t helped me out with.”
Stormi is settling in nicely. She was only supposed to stay temporarily with Mattie and Alex before she moved on. But she grew to like their home. They also liked her staying there. She sings in the church choir and participates in school activities while maintaining an A/B average. So when talk of adoption started, Mattie, Alex and Stormi considered making the foster arrangement permanent.
“Stormi is an exceptionally intelligent, well-mannered girl,” Mattie said. “She’s doing well in school, and we’re proud she’s become part of the family.”
The adoption became official in August.
“Foster parents and adoptive parents are needed so much now,” said Shelley Richards, Youth Villages adoption specialist. “Mattie, Alex and Stormi are amazing people, and Stormi has thrived in this home. Her physical, emotional and spiritual needs are being met, and we’re glad it will continue on a permanent basis.”
Mersediez and her mom, Michelle, finally have the relationship they’ve always wanted. They laugh, play board games, roll each other’s hair and, most importantly, they talk. But just a few years ago, things were very different.
Mersediez was failing school, was often suspended and ran away from home regularly. Seeking help, Michelle learned about Youth Villages. Youth Villages Clinical Supervisor Tiffany Ross helped mom find safer housing and get the resources she needed. She worked with Mersediez on her anger and future goals. As Mersediez opened up, her grades shot up. She now makes the honor roll and leads her high school band. She hopes to get a band scholarship for college. Sometimes, Mersediez plays the flute for her mom. She plays so beautifully, it can make her mom cry.
“She is a totally different child,” her mom said. “I am so proud of my little girl.”
Linda Burdett remembers never having anyone attend her softball games.
Her father, who served in the Air Force, spent much time away from home. Her mother, she later found out, was struggling with bipolar disorder.
“I know what it feels like to be on your own,” she said.
Two years ago, Linda became a mentor through Tennessee
Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Mentoring Initiative, administered by Youth Villages. She was matched with 13-year-old Laurissa.
Linda and Laurissa spend a lot of time talking. They also show Linda’s dogs at dog shows and participate in competition dog mock hunts. Most importantly, Linda makes sure Laurissa knows she will never be on her own.
“I always tell her that no matter what, I am here for her,” Linda said. “She can always count on me.”
No one expected Moseline to end up in a cap and gown. From the age of 11, when she was removed from her mother’s house due to abuse and neglect, the Everett, Mass., girl struggled. She lived with an aunt for several years, but by age 17 she ended up in foster care because her aunt lost patience and kicked her out. She bounced through a series of foster homes.
“I was just doing whatever I wanted,” Moseline said. “I didn’t follow any rules. I didn’t go to school.”
Edging toward age 18 when state support can end, Moseline was running out of options.
“I might have ended up homeless,” she said. Instead, she was assigned to Youth Villages’ transitional living program.
“My TL specialist asked me what my goals were, what I wanted to do with my life,“ Moseline said. “She helped me see beyond my current situation.”
Moseline has made great progress with the help of Youth Villages staff from our Woburn, Mass., office. In fact, they were the “family” Moseline invited to her high school graduation this spring. Her next goals: college, a good job, a comfortable life.
Alison came into foster care because of truancy and other behaviors, and she struggled in foster homes until she turned 18, where she turned things around both at home and school. She returned to her biological parents’ home and continued to maintain a 3.5–4.0 grade point average at Southeast Prep Academy.
Now in Youth Villages’ transitional living program, Alison is working with a TL specialist on preparing for college and developing interview, employment and communication skills. She’s getting comfortable with the new experiences and is receiving a lot of support from her biological parents.
She’d like to work with animals and plans to study zoology or veterinary medicine in college.
Words are sparse between Tonya and Suzanne. For more than two years, they have enjoyed time together watching movies and visiting museums – doing things together to enrich Tonya’s interests and also expose her to new experiences.
“We’re both introverted, so we don’t talk much,” mentor Suzanne said.
And they don’t have to. Tonya, who sings in her church choir, was able to watch a rehearsal of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers recently. Suzanne set it up.
Youth Villages operates the Tennessee Mentoring Initiative, partnering with the Department of Children’s Services to match mentors with Tennessee’s older foster children. Mentors offer support by serving as a positive role model for children.
“I enjoy the one-on-one connection with Tonya,” Suzanne said. “Tonya’s a delight to be with, and I enjoy being involved as she grows into an adult.”
They were a family in crisis.
Shaun, 16, and his two younger brothers accumulated 47 juvenile charges and missed 61 days of school.
The parents were committed to their children, but Robin, a paramedic, developed a dependence on prescription painkillers after two on-the-job injuries. Mike, her husband, began to drink after being laid off.
The state took custody of the boys. Youth Villages Senior Family Counselor Mary Beth Bailey first worked with the parents. Robin and Mike entered rehabilitation programs. Youth Villages helped pay for Mike’s plumbing license. Robin worked as a home health aide and began college nursing courses.
Bailey helped Robin and Mike return the focus to their children and their home. They established family rules, behavior plans, structure and a reward system.
The judge returned the boys’ custody back to Robin and Mike with conditions…
“I want you to send me invitations to all three of their graduations,” he said.
When Angela White heard about Ellis, she knew her first family reunification case at Youth Villages would be a difficult one. It proved to be her hardest—and most rewarding one. Ellis had spent 10 years in foster care. His mother did not want to raise her son, born with autism and developmental delays. Relatives, teachers and caretakers could not handle his destructive behavior and considered him unable to live in the community. He was too aggressive, they said, and needed to be watched constantly. Still, Angela, a Youth Villages intensive in-home counselor, had hope. Angela did a family search. Ellis’ cousin, Tiffany Young, said she’d give the 17-year-old a try. Together, Angela and Tiffany worked on a consistent behavior plan with rewards and consequences. Over time, Ellis’ behaviors mellowed. After 10 years in foster care, Ellis finally returned to his family. He loves being home. Home to Ellis is “my blue house” with “my Tiffany.”
This is the year Jessica’s world changed.
Just 17, the young Tampa, Fla., girl grew up hard. Sometimes, her family lived in shelters; sometimes, the older children were taken into the child welfare system. Youth Villages Senior Counselor Mandy Carr helped Jessica return home from a residential stay.
Jessica’s mother, Judy, said the counselor helped heal the entire family.
“Mandy was the inspiration that my family needed,” she said.
Spurred by her counselor, Jessica began identifying her strengths and learned to work toward goals. She’s completing a GED course and will soon start at community college. She would like to be a veterinarian. Her mother is a believer.
“Jessica has overcome a lot of hurdles in her life,” Judy said.
“I see her making it now. She’s on task and doing awesome.”
Youth Villages Family Counselor Megan Grabe first met with a depressed and withdrawn Teon in jail. Arrested for unregistered vehicle charges, fighting in school and theft, 14-year-old Teon also got expelled from school. His world lacked structure, and his situation left Teon with a lot of anger. For six months, Megan did intensive counseling with Teon and his mother, Gail, at least three times a week, working with Teon on his decision-making and coping skills, and working with mom to implement a supervision plan and behavior contract. They went to school board meetings to advocate for Teon to get back in school and moved to a better neighborhood. “Gail has an amazing commitment to her son,” Megan says. “She was determined to have him at home and wasn’t going to give up.” Now Teon enjoys hanging out with his siblings at home, attending school and playing basketball in a league.
More than 3,600 individuals, corporations and foundations gave $10,002,993 to help the children and families served by Youth Villages in FY10. Youth Villages’ employees alone donated $850,000 through the Our Family Campaign.
It cost Youth Villages only 10¢ to raise $1 to support children and families. **
Of every dollar spent, 85¢ went directly to programs that support children and families.
*The information reported above is unaudited and reflects the fiscal year July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010. Net asset increase in 2010 is attributed to the merger with Inner Harbour in Georgia. For complete audited financial statements, please visit www.YouthVillages.org or contact the Youth Villages Development Department at 901-251-4807. **Youth Villages uses
FOUNDATIONS GAVE $10,002,993 TO HELP THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVED BY YOUTH VILLAGES IN FY10.
Board of Directors
Michael J. Bruns (Chairman)
Patrick W. Lawler
(Chief Executive Officer)
Ronnie Randall
(Vice Chairman)
Jimmy Lackie (Secretary)
Paul Bower (Treasurer)
Jim Barton Jr.
Eric Bolton
Judge Joyce Broffitt
Kenneth A. Campbell
Lewis G. Holland Sr.
John Hutchins
Joanna Jacobson
Middle Tennessee Leadership Council
Bill Hamburg (Co-Chair)
Betsy Walkup (Co-Chair)
Karen Baker
Judy Caplan
George Cate Jr.
Tarsha Clemons
Mary Cooper
Vaughan DePillo
Bob Grimes
Mary Grochau
North Carolina Leadership Council
Elizabeth Skvarla John White
Massachusetts Leadership Council
George D’Errico
William Foster
Deborah Fung
Robert P. Gittens
Paul S. Grogan
Margaret Hall
Joanna Jacobson
Paul F. Levy
Rev. Robert Earl Jones
Bryan Jordan
Kenneth May
Mark Medford
Jim Parrish
Johnny Pitt s
Ray Pohl man
Jennifer Q ueen
Kenneth Reeves
Matthew F. Tarkenton
David Tyler
Bets y Walkup
To dd Watson
George White
Jeff Harman
Julia Ann Hawkins
Louisa Kennerly
Chris Kimler
Elena Perez
Laura Perkins
Lisa Small
Lele Thompso n (Council Intern)
Pat Wallace
Jeremy Werthan
Carole Wilson
Leigh Young
Melinda Marble
Robert M. Nephew
Mark E. Robinson
Marylou Sudders
Warren E. Tolman
Greg Torres
On The Cover
Quentyn, 9
Writing, Design and Photography
Youth Villages’
Communications Department
Additional Photography
Joshua Anderson
Robin Conn
Brian Adams
Mark Dolejs
Dayna Smith
Printing
Jaco-Bryant Printers
Youth Villages helps children and families live successfully.
Kids’ needs come first… Always.
We believe children are raised best by their families.
We provide a safe place.
We strive to achieve positive, lasting results.
We are committed to our staff.
We are each responsible for providing the highest level of service to our customers.
We constantly improve our performance to achieve excellence.
We create new programs to meet the needs of children, families and the community. We do what we say we do.
To learn more about Youth Villages and how we help children and families in your state, visit www.YouthVillages.org.
Youth Villages | 3320 Brother Blvd. | Memphis, TN 38133 | 901.251.5000