Youth Villages | GA Newsletter | Fall 2021

FALL

SPRING

2021

2021

New

HEIGHTS FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES

INNER HARBOUR SCHOOL EXCELS INNER HARBOUR SCHOOL RECEIVES HIGH MARKS!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• GIVING BACK IS FULL CIRCLE FOR HEATHER RIVERA

Mom Makes Monthly Gifts to Support Youth Villages and Remembers the Impact Youth Villages Had on Her Son and Her Family–pg. 4

• DESTINATION THEATRE BRINGS JOY TO INNER HARBOUR Atlanta based outdoor theatre company kicks off first week of school and arts education programming at Youth Villages Georgia with a swashbuckling theatre production–pg. 5

UPDATE

FROM TANYA ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEORGIA It is fall and the leaves are beginning to shift, signaling a time of reflection. This year has brought many changes including a new opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability to add more support for our community-based programs. We have had the good fortune to receive a wonderful report from our recent audit with The Joint Commission on Accreditations for Healthcare Organizations this summer. We received high marks in all areas and are pleased to continue offering services at the highest level for our residential and community-based programs in Georgia.

In this newsletter, you will learn about our excellent review from an accrediting body for the school on our Inner Harbour Campus and the wonderful backto-school event of an outdoor theatre production by Destination Theatre at our outdoor amphitheater.

You’ll hear more about the support we have received for STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math) focused education from Cummins and the ongoing support from Heather Rivera, a mom whose son received our services and has continued to make monthly contributions to our continuous efforts to serve children and families.

We are grateful for every child and family in our care, our amazing staff and each of you who see the value in helping provide mental and behavioral health care to children and families in our communities. We absolutely could not do this work without you and your time, energy and resources, which are greatly appreciated.

May you and your families be safe and well.

GEORGIA ADVISORY BOARD Edwin Cook (Chair) Amy Baillie Don Crampton Bruce Hein Brian Holloway Dara Mann Adrienne Mittons Robert Rearden Robert Snelling Matthew Tarkenton Paul Zachos

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Tanya Anderson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEORGIA tanya.anderson@youthvillages.org 770-852-6238

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DORM SWEET HOME For many college students, the campus becomes like home. For LifeSet participant Zephaniah, college is literally providing him a home.

LOCAL IMPACT

LOCAL SUCCESS

Like thousands of college students across the country, Zephaniah recently started fall semester classes. Although he walked a different path to his college choice—Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in Lawrenceville, Georgia—he got there with a major boost from Youth Villages and LifeSet.

10 out of 11 young people were satisfied with LifeSet services.

Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

One of our measures of success in LifeSet is having our young people living independently in environments that promote their continued growth. LifeSet supports young people ages 17-23 years of age in navigating adulthood and setting them up for success through empowering them in their personal, academic and professional lives.

Story continues on page 6

Youth Villages Inner Harbour School Excels

INNER HARBOUR SCHOOL RECEIVES HIGH MARKS FROM ACCREDITATION BODY AND STE(A)M COMMUNITY GRANT SUPPORT FROM CUMMINS, INC. The Youth Villages Inner Harbour campus school recently went through a Cognia Performance Accreditation and Engagement Review, an accreditation that lasts for years, and received an excellent review.

Our school is focused on project-based learning with a curriculum rooted in experiential education. We have a team of 26 education professionals (teachers, para-pros and administrative leadership) who guide the 128 youth in our care, with careful attention to individual needs.

The report had many complimentary things to share about our school and stated, “running throughout the school’s culture was the distinct sense that relationships and trust are at the heart of progress” and “the collaborative and supportive nature of the institution’s culture leads naturally to a continuous effort to improve service delivery”. We are proud of our educators and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional educational experiences for the youth to support their educational goals.

In addition to the successful review, Youth Villages Georgia recently received a grant from Cummins Inc., a global corporation that designs, manufactures and distributes engines, filtrations and power Cummins logo standards

generation products. Jim Schacht, executive director, corporate responsibility, Cummins Inc. shared, “we applaud Youth Villages’ comprehensive work to support underserved youth and share a common goal of providing educational, life and technical skills to help them navigate difficult situations and the path to adulthood.”

The grant will support STE(A)M which incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through projectbased learning activities into the current curriculum. STE(A)M, which emphasizes team-centered, hands-on learning, helps students become more engaged in their education and obtain the critical thinking and social skills essential for future success.

The grant also provides teachers with coaching, professional development and hands-on STE(A)M training by industry leading professionals. The training is open to all teachers and their support staff.

“We are so grateful to Cummins for this grant,” said Tanya Anderson, executive director for Youth Villages Georgia. “This generous gift will have a major impact on STE(A)M at Inner Harbour for both students and teachers. The Cummins grant is a momentum-builder for our STE(A)M program that helps ensure success for all of our youth.”

The master brand logo The Cummins logo is the primary symbol used worldwide to represent our company, our products and our people. It is a valuable asset that must be protected.

Our brand position is “dependability,” so it is very important to demonstrate consistency and quality in the way we use and display the Cummins logo on all external and internal materials.

Use of the logo standards and logo art will ensure that our brand symbol is used properly and effectively.

Trademark integrity Don’t condense, stretch, reshape, add to or alter the logo in any way.

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Heather Rivera, her son (Jacob Rivera), and daughter (Chastity Rivera)

GIVING BACK IS FULL CIRCLE FOR HEATHER RIVERA MOM MAKES MONTHLY GIFTS TO SUPPORT YOUTH VILLAGES AND REMEMBERS THE IMPACT OUR SERVICES2 HAD ON HER SON AND HER FAMILY How did you become involved with Youth Villages?

“My son was going through a rough period and ended up at Youth Villages. As many bad decisions as he was making at the time, I honestly didn’t believe he would be able to turn it around,” Rivera said. “I visited at least once a month and I remember talking to a volunteer who shared that the key difference in a young person who becomes a contributing adult in society and one who stays in the system is parental/ adult involvement. So I hung in there. I kept coming back. Over a period of time, I actually witnessed the beginning of the transformation in my son.”

What do you think sets Youth Villages Apart in its work with children and families?

“Youth Villages is consistent and persistent. They are able to get through to these kids. There are a lot of very caring people that work there.

It isn’t just “a job” for them, and that makes a huge difference in any type of industry, but especially in something as personal as this. It also gives the kids – and parents, if they are willing to be involved – tools to manage, and a feeling of not being “lost” or alone. Like, it isn’t “just me,” and there is hope.”

Why do you personally support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?

“I was in a really bad place when my son was sent to Youth Villages. “We all were in a really abusive situation, though, at that period of time, I was blind to it...or perhaps swallowed up in it. With my son in the Youth Villages program, I was able to make some drastic life changes and know that he would be safe. So, not only does Youth Villages help bring kids like this out of the chaos and teach them valuable life management skills, but they also help break the chains of overall abusive relationships. Youth Villages is VERY personal to me. I am sure Youth Villages also helps others in similar situations all over the country. THIS is why I choose to support Youth Villages.”

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DESTINATION THEATRE BRINGS JOY TO INNER HARBOUR ATLANTA BASED OUTDOOR THEATRE COMPANY KICKS OFF FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL AND ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING AT YOUTH VILLAGES GEORGIA WITH A SWASHBUCKLING THEATRE PRODUCTION One of the values of Youth Villages is that every child should know joy in each day. This value was fulfilled by the pirate ship loads in August, as the cast and crew of the musical How I Became a Pirate by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman (which is based on the hit children’s book by Melinda Long) graced the outdoor amphitheater stage at the Inner Harbour campus. Destination Theatre is an Atlanta based, global reaching theatre company dedicated to creating excellent and imaginative touring productions for all ages, backgrounds and demographics.

They aim to provide exciting, educational and high-quality theatre experiences in communities across the U.S. and beyond and they did just that at Youth Villages.

In partnership with Cory Phelps and Amy Duffy, cocreators of Destination Theatre, Youth Villages wanted to bring the arts to the youth on campus. “Working with Destination Theatre is the perfect way to bring levity, heart-felt song and dance and the magic that musical theater shares to the children and staff. This was the perfect way to kick off the school year and to integrate the arts into our educational programming,” said Inner Harbour school Principal Lauren Crabtree.

Cast includes Zemirah Davis, Amy Duffy, Destiny Freeman, Colby Johnson, Anthony Nash, and Barry Westmoreland

Long-time Youth Villages supporter, Lynn Merrill, has been invested in connecting the youth at Youth Villages with theatre arts for years. Lynn was instrumental in sharing this project and engaging donors who supported the effort to bring the arts to Youth Villages. With much support, this partnership is being expanded to include theater workshops for the children where they will use their voice, body and imagination for creative expression with the actors from Destination Theatre. There is also the opportunity to engage the youth in our care in creating their own production and having them be the stars of the show. “Our goal at Destination Theatre is to help kids realize their full potential, overcome their fear of public speaking and to spread joy through the art of theatre” says Artistic Director Cory Phelps. “The idea of partnering with YV to make this goal actuality is not only thrilling but brings tears to our eyes as we love serving such an important and impactful organization.”

The youth during the Q&A Talkback portion of the production led by Destination Theatre Artistic Director, Cory Phelps

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LOCAL SUCCESS CONTINUED DORM SWEET HOME

Story continued from page 2

Zephaniah joined LifeSet when he was 18 years old, joining his twin brother, Zachariah, in the program. Zachariah soon left LifeSet and joined the military, but Zephaniah needed the structure the program offered as he finished up high school and transitioned to college.

“I received support from LifeSet that got me away from going down a path that would have led being on the side of the road,” said Zephaniah, who plans to study psychology at GGC. “I was living with someone that was abusive, neglectful and not helpful, and I was putting myself in danger by staying there. LifeSet came in and helped me move to a shelter for youth.”

LifeSet specialist Kathy McDougle added, “His home life was not the best. There was a lot of conflict in the home, and that led to him becoming homeless.”

After McDougle assisted Zephaniah in finding shelter, a final obstacle remained for him to earn his high school diploma—transportation.

“High school was a struggle being homeless and having to take a three-hour trip to school and back,” Zephaniah said. “That was a lot, but they provided motivation and other help with that.”

McDougle said, “That (transportation) was one of the first concerns we had to deal with in helping get Zephaniah to graduate. We did it, and he graduated from high school.”

The focus then turned to college. Again, the anxiety of homelessness arose when selecting a college.

“When we started our college research, one of the main things we looked at was if the school offered housing,” said McDougle. “The biggest thing was finding a college that had housing so we could eliminate the homeless factor.”

Georgia Gwinnett College offered the housing Zephaniah needed, and then it was time to move in. That’s when Youth Villages and LifeSet stepped in with even more support.

“Moving in a dorm is a challenge in of itself,” Zephaniah said. “There were a lot of obstacles when I moved in. Kathy helped me get information about loans to pay for my dorm, where to get the loans and pay off the loans. She also provided a rundown of safety rules I needed to follow in order to stay safe on campus.”

McDougle then reached out and got additional help from current and former Youth Villages employees.

“Where other students were moving in with suitcases, Zephaniah was bringing his items in trash bags,” said McDougle. “I reached out to current and former employees at Youth Villages, and they came through with towels, sheets and hygiene products. Youth Villages stepped up to the plate in this situation and helped him out.”

Zephaniah at college

Looking to make a difference this holiday season?

Help make the holiday joyful for the youth in the Youth Villages Georgia programs by becoming a Holiday Hero today! Individual, group and corporate supporters all welcome – everyone can be a hero!

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WE APPRECIATE YOU – YOUTH VILLAGES GEORGIA DONOR LIST

JANUARY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2021

INNOVATOR 100,000+

$

Tull Charitable Foundation

LEADER

FRIEND 500-$999

$

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cook Mr. Rick Linville

10,000 - $24,999

Mr. and Mrs. Xavier Mann

Atlanta Foundation Cummins, Inc.

Mrs. Heather Rivera

$

PROTECTOR 5,000 - $9,999

$

Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland

BUILDER

1,000 - $4,999

$

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Thornton Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Nancy Williams

$100-499 Mr. Jamal Anderson Ms. Janice Barton Judge Barbara Caldwell

Ms. Brenda Ambrosius

Ms. Julie Doss

Anonymous

Dog River Grading

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Clark Dumas

Mr. Don Crampton Mr. Robb Dillon

Ms. Laura Fry Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Hamilton Mr. Brian Holloway Mrs. Myra Kucera Ms. Patricia Lesko Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions Ms. Penelope McPhee Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Lynn Merrill Mt. Zion United Methodist Women Ms. Hilary Petro R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gordon and Linda Ramsey Mr. Ashwati Sandeep Mr. Diya Sandeep Ms. Sandra Storrar Mr. Larry Teel Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Vandergrinten Mrs. Jolanda Walther Ms. Margaret Whitaker

Frazier and Deeter Foundation Georgia Music Foundation Mr. Bruce Hein Ms. Lauren Hunter Kimberly Clark Matching Gifts Ms. Adrienne Mittons Mr. Robert Rearden, III Mr. & Mrs. Robert Snelling The Reebok Foundation United Way of Greater Atlanta

Employees from Stallings Insurance Agency supporting Back Pack Heroes 2021

Mr. Paul Vetter

We gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful contributions. If you made a contribution during this time but it is not listed, please call Matt Jarrard, Director of Development, GA - 678-978-0520, to have your gift recognized.

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YOUTH VILLAGES

4685 Dorsett Shoals Road Douglasville, GA 30135 (Address Service Requested)

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Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 32,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Searcy, West Memphis Florida: Lakeland Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Indianapolis, Jasper, Jeffersonville, Madison Louisiana: Metairie Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester 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 Georgia is published by Youth Villages ©

2021 Youth Villages, Inc.

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