Youth Villages | OR Newsletter | Fall 2022

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It was a momentous evening last month as we gathered with our community of supporters for our first in-person gathering since 2019. Our Fall Celebration, presented by Tecology, was a resounding success, raising crucial awareness for the needs of young adults aging out of foster care in Oregon. I want to thank all of you who were able to attend and share in this special evening with us.

As I listened to the inspiring story of Mariah Hunt, a former foster youth and recipient of LifeSet services, I thought of the generosity of supporters, like you, who make this transformational work possible. Mariah’s story is one of hope, of a young woman with unbound potential who needed that extra support and guidance during a crucial period in her life.

I spoke at the Fall Celebration event of our $2 million campaign to double the number of youth we can reach with our evidence-based LifeSet program.

Right now, more than 30 young adults are working diligently with their LifeSet specialists to prepare for life after foster care.

These young adults need your support now more than ever.

And with our ongoing challenge grant from Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, gifts up to $10,000 will be doubled to support youth in Oregon.

As you read this newsletter and hear the inspiring stories of youth like Mariah, Elina and Mariana, I urge you to support young adults to achieve their dreams of independence with a financial contribution to Youth Villages.

OREGON ADVISORY BOARD

Charlie Swindells, Chair Ann Mestrovich, Incoming Chair Bill de la Cruz, Outgoing Chair

Jacquelyn Reyes Alonzo

Bethany Bounds

Mariel Combs

David Durocher

Alice Galloway

Ian Galloway

Sister Guadalupe Guajardo

Joan Horstkotte

Elijah Pahl

Pat Ritz

Colby Schlicker

Pete Stofle

Grover

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

andrew.grover@youthvillages.org 503-675-2232

Youth Villages is a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, committed to building strong families, delivering effective services and significantly improving outcomes for children, families and young people involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems across the country. Founded in 1986, the organization’s 3,600 employees help more than 36,000 children annually in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations.

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Cover photo by Nathan

ELINA USES HER LIFE EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS

Elina spent her summer at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., working on projects designed to increase wealth and financial mobility for lowerincome Americans.

She’s influencing policy and advocating for young people who experience foster care. Elina’s come a long way from the child who entered foster care at age 6.

Elina’s father was incarcerated soon after her birth; then, her mother left. She and her younger sibling entered the child welfare system, and it was a rocky journey. After several foster homes, Elina was adopted, but even there she faced abuse.

“I realized that if I wanted a chance at a somewhat normal life, I had to do something,” she said. “So, I did the only thing I knew how to do: I ran away.”

In the middle of her senior year of high school, Elina showed up on the steps of a homeless shelter and put herself back in foster care.

Elina was the keynote speaker at Steven Tyler's GRAMMY® Viewing Party and Gala in Los Angeles. The event raised $4.6 million for Janie's Fund, which supports LifeSet.

Elina and other young women who participated in the LifeSet Scholars program were honored guests at the Gala and walked the red carpet with Steven Tyler.

Elina continues on page 9

Photos by Nathan Schwab

YOUTH VILLAGES HELPS MARIANA PLAN FOR HER FUTURE

When many teenagers enter their junior year of high school, their life pathways are somewhat charted. For some, the path leads to college. For others, a trade or technical school. For still others, finding employment. But often that path is set up starting with the freshman year.

For Mariana, the first year of high school didn’t go well. Her effort in class—if she attended at all—was not there and put her behind. She was so far behind that catching up seemed impossible. Her future options were limited.

“My freshman year, I completely failed,” Mariana said. “I got all Fs and didn’t pass a class. It was because I wasn’t going to school and learning what I needed to learn.”

Mariana’s school issues stemmed from her home life. According to Mariana, her mother had neither the “right mindset” nor the economic stability to raise her and her four brothers.

“I would take care of the family,” Mariana said. “When I wasn’t showing up for school, [the administrators and teachers] were worried and got involved.”

Mariana, who was 15 years old at the time, and her brothers were placed with foster families, and changes were immediate. First adjustment: attend school daily.

Now, with school becoming a daily routine, Mariana’s focus on a future beyond high school looked a little brighter. However, Mariana still needed help to get back on track. Enter Youth Villages specialist Graciela Salamanca.

Graciela mapped out a plan for Mariana to retake the courses she had previously failed. She also helped keep Mariana focused on the grades she needed moving forward. “She’s on track now,” Graciela said.

It was during Mariana’s junior year that her thoughts turned to post-secondary school.

“I started looking at college applications and scholarships, started looking at GPA requirements, what classes I had to take to get a scholarship,” Mariana said. “I looked at my GPA at that point, and it wasn’t good. I began showing effort in my classes. I then started making As and Bs.”

Mariana graduates from high school this June. Graciela has helped her secure an Oregon Promise Grant, which will pay for her community college. According to Graciela, Mariana’s plan is to pursue a career in social work.

Before working with Youth Villages, Mariana’s educational pursuits—and life options— were limited. This support provided Mariana the motivation to not only graduate but also change the course of her life.

“To show everyone, especially my brothers, that although we grew up in a different environment, that doesn’t mean we can’t succeed,” said Mariana of her high school graduation. “I’m going to feel relieved. I’m going to be proud of myself when I hold that diploma. When I was a freshman, I wasn’t going to graduate. Now as graduation day gets closer, I’m realizing that I pulled myself out of that situation, and I’m doing pretty good.”

Mariana (left) standing by Graciela, her Youth Villages specialist who supported Mariana as she worked to get back on track to high school graduation.

Photo by Nathan Schwab

BRIDGING THE GAP FOR FOSTER YOUTH

The Youth Villages LifeSet program serves as a bridge from foster care to adulthood, helping young people reach their goals of self-sufficiency and independence as they prepare to age out of foster care. Without this support, young people can face far worse outcomes than their peers in terms of educational attainment, employment, housing and engagement with law enforcement.

We are so close to our campaign goal of $2 million to more than double our LifeSet program in Oregon. More than 300 local

TIMELINE OF GENEROSITY

OCTOBER

Your gift, matched up to $10,000, can help us reach our goal.

APRIL

$300,000 to goal/ raised $1.7 million.

youth have already benefited from LifeSet. Your support is crucial in helping the next 300 youth on their path to adulthood.

JANUARY

Achieved first $50,000 matching support of Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund challenge grant.

GIFTS UP TO $10,000 WILL BE DOUBLED!

MAY

Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund approved a $150,000 challenge grant to support LifeSet expansion. Raised 50% of campaign goal.

SEPTEMBER

Quietly launched $2 million capacity campaign to increase the number of young people we can serve with LifeSet.

How did you become involved?

Our introduction to Youth Villages was in 2014, after our youngest daughter, Katy, graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from Portland State University. Katy interviewed for a position at Youth Villages Oregon and accepted her first full-time position as a counselor working in their residential facility, eventually moving to become a specialist then supervisor in the Intercept program. Katy learned first-hand the challenges of this work and the importance of supporting local youth with behavioral issues who were often also burdened by dysfunctional family circumstances. She left Youth Villages a few years ago, sticking with her passion to help struggling youth by starting her own private counseling business. Her experience at Youth Villages—and our belief in how critically important this work is in support of youth in our local community—has left a lasting impact on both Katy and us. This served as my inspiration to join the Youth Villages Oregon Local Board less than two years ago.

What sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families?

Over the last few years, I have met many employees through ride-along sessions and in my interactions with leadership as a board member. There is no doubt in my mind that the people of Youth Villages make the greatest difference. Supported by proven, evidence-based results with programs that are practiced throughout the national organization, Youth Villages is truly leading the way to make Oregon a better place for youth. For instance, after working for the past several years with the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Intercept program for youth under 18 years of age has assured that many

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

DAVID AND TERRY DUROCHER

A deeply personal connection to supporting Oregon youth

more youth remain with their families rather than being assigned to foster care. The LifeSet program, designed for youth aging out of foster care, is the primary driver for our fundraising efforts. LifeSet now also has the attention of Oregon DHS, delivering critically important services to address the changing needs of Oregon youth as they transition into adulthood.

Why do you support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?

We have many friends involved in philanthropic efforts to support service organizations that help both youth and adults across the globe. It’s true that there are many countries in the world that are less fortunate than we are here in America. Many want and need help, and we do what we can to assist. That said, we have not lost sight of the fact that Oregon is our home, and our first priority is to have an impact helping youth in our local community.

What would you say to encourage others to financially support Youth Villages?

We have learned from experience that happy and successful youth often emerge from strong families. Although we were blessed to be raised in strong families, many Oregon youth are struggling, and some are in desperate need of support. We are hopeful that others will join us in supporting Oregon youth to help them as they transition successfully to adulthood and become contributing members of our community and society at large.

YOUTH VILLAGES FEATURED ON PBS AND NPR

Youth Villages’ Intercept and LifeSet programs garnered national attention in recent months from PBS Newshour and NPR Saturday Morning Edition.

The two stories honed in on issues facing our young people across the country, including mental health challenges, increase in youth suicides, access to mental health care and the need for comprehensive support for those aging out of foster care at 18.

You can watch the PBS Newshour piece and listen to NPR’s story by scanning the QR codes here.

Jackie with her Intercept Supervisor Sydney Earle.

Elina continued

Elina is completing her master’s degree at the prestigious Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. “Right at my lowest, I was introduced to the LifeSet program,” she said. “Through my group home, I was linked with a specialist who started our first meeting asking about the goals I wanted to achieve. Up until that moment, no one had asked me about what I wanted or needed.”

LifeSet helped Elina begin to think seriously about what she wanted to do with her life. “It provided me support every step of the way. From setting up a checking account to getting connected with quality mental health care... Having such a healthy and sustainable relationship with this program ultimately taught me that I am capable and worthy of connection and compassion and support.”

After graduating high school, Elina became a LifeSet Scholar, where LifeSet participants receive extra support from Youth Villages as they pursue higher education or vocational certification. In the program, Elina was matched with a Youth Villages staff member as a mentor. She completed a four-year degree with a double major in international studies and English literature and double minors in human rights and economics.

“I can say with confidence that without LifeSet, I simply would not have that accomplishment under my belt,” Elina said.

After graduation, Elina thought through what she wanted to do next with her specialist and mentor.

“I realized that I want to be part of the solutions in making our societies more just for the most vulnerable,” she said. As she goes back to school this fall to complete her master’s degree, Elina will continue to receive support from the LifeSet Scholars program.

“I’m forever grateful to those who showed me love even when I felt unlovable and saw things in me that I couldn’t see myself. I’m here because of them,” she said.

IN TOUCH ONLINE

ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN

OREGON CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022

VISIONARY

$50,000 to $99,999

Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund

PILLAR

$25,000 to $49,999

Duncan and Cynthia Campbell Byron and Cynthia Grant Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation Darci and Charles Swindells

The Cousens Trust

LEADER

$10,000 to $24,999

Anonymous Tasca and Paul Gulick

OnPoint Community Credit Union

PROTECTOR

$5,000 to $9,999

David and Ginny Bennett Clark Foundation

Joan Horstkotte

Northwest Natural

BUILDER

$1,000 to $4,999

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Patricia Bradley

CFM Advocates

Mariel and Jason Combs

Gary and Kary Myers Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

Kaiser Permanente

Moda Health

PacificSource Health Plans

TE Connectivity

The Standard

The Standard Foundation

MONTHLY CHAMPIONS

Andrea Barney Patricia Bradley

Sam Bridgnell Candace Elliott Ian and Nicole Galloway Charie Gonzales

Sarah Levine Rachel Parrott

Fred Roach

Colby and Christine Schlicker

Robin van der Hoest Daniel Whitmore

HONORARIUMS

Walter Gertz and Sharyn Merle Gertz Gertz Grandchildren

Byron and Cynthia Grant Duncan and Cynthia Campbell Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

LIFESET CAPACITY CAMPAIGN

LEADERSHIP DONORS

David and Ginny Bennett Patricia Bradley

Mariel and Jason Combs

Duncan and Cynthia Campbell Fund of Oregon Community Foundation Les and Nancy Fahey John Graeter

Byron and Cynthia Grant Tasca and Paul Gulick

Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation

Summer Lea Hillman Foundation Joan Horstkotte

Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund Oregon Community Foundation Steven Reinisch

Pat and Trudy Ritz

Darci and Charles Swindells

The Renaissance Foundation Kenneth Thrasher

OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation

LOOKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

We can’t wait for this year’s Holiday Heroes drive! Save the date for Sat., Dec. 10 for our annual Holiday Cheers, Beers and Volunteers event presented by Tecology! We’ll be wrapping holiday gifts for our youth and celebrating the close of another fantastic year at Youth Villages Oregon.

Rachel Lewis, Development Coordinator rachel.lewis@youthvillages.org | 503-675-2213

youthvillages.org/holidayheroes

YOUTH VILLAGES

PO BOX 368

Marylhurst, OR 97036

(Address Service Requested)

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 36,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities:

Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile

Arkansas: Jonesboro, Searcy, West Memphis (Fort Smith and Little Rock coming soon!)

Florida: Lakeland

Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville

Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis

Louisiana: Metairie

Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville/Jeffersonville (Indiana)

Massachusetts: Boston, Worcester, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn (Cape Space coming soon!)

Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo

New Hampshire: Manchester, Plymouth

North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville, Wilmington

Ohio: Worthington

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa

Oregon: Bend, Portland, Salem

Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.

New Heights Oregon is published by Youth Villages

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