Youth Villages | WTN Newsletter | Fall 2021

FALL

SPRING 2021 2021

New

HEIGHTS FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES

HOPE TO DREAM BED GIVEAWAY ASHLEY HOMESTORE AND THE MEMPHIS TIGERS MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• GENEROSITY IN ACTION

6-year-old gives back to Youth Villages kids–pg. 3

• MEREDITH AND GREG MARTIN Donor Spotlight–pg. 5

• MEMPHIS TIGERS CONTINUE TO GIVE TO YOUTH VILLAGES –pg. 7

UPDATE

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, WEST TENNESSEE As I look back over the last fiscal year and all that our frontline staff have done to help families and kids in West Tennessee, I am awestruck.

We experienced an 8% increase, helping over 4,971 kids in our community who benefited from our services.

We would not be able to meet this increasing need without your support. Your generosity and compassion allows us to improve outcomes for kids and young peopl and helps them to achieve the successful futures that they deserve. We are incredibly grateful for the difference you make in the lives of those we serve. With your help, we raised over $2.65 million to assist more children, families and young people!

In this edition of New Heights, we will highlight a couple who continues to invest in our work, the story of our youngest Champion for Children and feature one of our first partner events we have held in over 15 months. We are looking forward to holding our two signature fundraising events in person in the coming months, and hope that you will join us!

We are incredibly grateful for the impact you make on the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your commitment to our mission. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of children and young people, you can make a gift at youthvillages.org/donate.

WEST TENNESSEE ADVISORY BOARD Desiree Allen Alex Boggs Preston Butts Matthew Gabriel John Goode Ruby Hancock Arianna Poindexter Leslie Tate Christopher Vescovo Angie Ware Jon Wright

YOUTH VILLAGES NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS James D. Lackie– Board Chair William (Bill) T. Giles– Vice Chair Vanessa Diffenbaugh– Secretary Gerald Laurain– Treasurer Patrick Lawler – CEO Mark Allen Fred Burns Mike Bruns– Chairman Emertius Jennifer Bush Amy Crate Jack A. Eiferman Candace Steele Flippin Johnny Pitts Elizabeth Rose Gary Shorb Rufus Smith Matthew Tarkenton

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Katie Jones DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, WEST TENNESSEE KATIE.JONES@YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG 901-251-4813

David Tyler Darryl “Chip” Wade

GENEROSITY IN ACTION

6-YEAR-OLD GIVES BACK TO YOUTH VILLAGES KIDS Quincy Barlow may be the youngest Youth Villages donor this year. When he turned 6 in April 2021, Quincy decided to give instead of receiving for his big day. When asked why he chose to give back to other kids he said, “It’s alright. It’s OK. Don’t let your troubles get in your way.”

Quincy’s birthday donation drive garnered $1,600, and he collected more than $600 in clothes and toys, which were donated to youth in our community-based programs.

Quincy was inspired by his late father, Pastor Quinten Barlow, Sr. “What inspired us is in 2017, my husband passed away,” said Danielle Barlow, Quincy’s mother. “He was a big giver and loved to help the community.”

This may be the first time Quincy is lending a helping hand to others, but he said it won’t be his last. We are thankful for Quincy and his generosity!

Danielle Barlow, Quincy’s mother; Qunicy Barlow; Patrick Hampton, WTN Development Operations Manager

YOUTH VILLAGES JOINS THE 29:11 PROJECT, UOFM BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO ASSIST TWO LIFESET PARTICIPANTS IN GETTING THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS OFF TO A STRONG START. College move-in day for students is an exciting event filled with dreams and new friends.

However, the day can also be stressful. That’s where Youth Villages stepped in and partnered with the 29:11 Project and University of Memphis Black Alumni Association to help twin LifeSet participants, Jalen and Jennifer, with their move-in at the University of Memphis (UofM). story continues on page 4....

AT HOME

WITH FAMILY OR INDEPENDENTLY

IMPACT OUTCOMES

LOCAL SUCCESS

4,971 total youth served in West Tennessee in 2020

NO TROUBLE

WITH THE LAW

IN SCHOOL

OR GRADUATED

86

%

88

%

94

%

at 12 months post discharge

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Continued from pg 3...

The idea began when the 29:11 Project’s, Adalyia Parker, looked to help two youth in foster care starting school at the UofM. Parker’s influence comes from her mother who was a foster parent during her adolescence, as well as from relatives that are committed YV employees. “My mom cared for foster kids when I was growing up, so it has a special place in my heart,” Parker said. “My cousin works with Youth Villages. I sent her an email to ask if there were any students who were graduating and going to the University of Memphis. My cousin connected me with Lydia.”

Lydia Lackey-Noble, volunteer and donor engagement coordinator for West Tennessee, worked with LifeSet to help identify two students.

“I reached out to LifeSet to pair them with two students,” said Lackey-Noble. “They just so happened to be twins.

We didn’t plan it, but it happened that way.”

The next step was shopping.

“We asked specific questions about what they would like for their rooms,” Lackey-Noble said. “We emphasized that this is a space for them. Jennifer sent us more than 30 Amazon links of everything she wanted in her room. We went off those links for both rooms.”

Among the dorm-room purchases were vacuums, hand soap, laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, dinnerware, towels, laundry baskets, chest of drawers, storage cubes, pillows, desk organizers, alarm clocks, bedding, desk lamps, laptops, mini fridges and more.

“As former students at Memphis, it’s great for us to give back,” said Brandon Henderson, UofM Black Alumni Association president. “We’re making sure they have all the tools necessary to be successful.”

Once the items were purchased, the countdown was on for the move-in day. Youth Villages, 29:11 Project and the UofM Black Alumni Association spearheaded the effort, and Jaden and Jennifer were there to pitch in.

“This is a great start for me in college, knowing that I have everything I need,” said Jennifer, who plans to study nursing. “Moving to college can be frustrating, but this has helped me so much.”

Jalen, who wants to study computer and electrical engineering, added, “It’s great that we have been blessed by this so we can begin the school year strong. It’s awesome that I don’t have to worry about this.”

The move-in and dorm room items were only the start. The organizations also helped the siblings obtain financial assistance to attend the UofM, in addition to giving them gift cards for other essentials.

“The focus of this wasn’t only the physical items; it’s the connections,” Lackey-Noble said. “Let’s get them set up with the alumni association, other groups on campus. It’s how we can help them succeed in school beyond the first weeks. We’re getting them involved.”

Jalen (standing) and Jennifer (sitting) celebrate their UofM move-ins with their older brother, Jimmy, who is a senior at the school.

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Jalen (fourth from left) and Jennifer (fifth) celebrate their UofM move-ins with representatives from the university’s Black Alumni Association, Youth Villages and the 29:11 Project.

Greg and Meredith Martin at home with their Youth Villages Red Kite Society beveled glass commemorative artwork.

“Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference,” said Kathy Calvin. “Our donors make a difference every day in the lives of the youth we serve. They are the lifeblood of our organization, and we could not do our work without them.”

Meredith and Greg began giving in 2014 after receiving a piece of direct mail from us. It featured a story of one of our female youth who was admitted into our care after attempting to take her own life. This young woman’s journey and success touched their hearts.

After that initial piece of mail, they started doing more research on all we had to offer outside of our residential programs. They immediately gravitated to our LifeSet program. “I remember being so impressed with what Youth Villages was doing by helping these kids get set up for life,” said Meredith.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT Meredith and Greg Martin

When asked what they feel sets Youth Villages apart from other organizations, Greg said “it’s your statistics of success. And how you keep expanding and growing and people seek Youth Villages out for your partnerships. That speaks volumes as to what you’re doing.”

Greg went on to share that “a teacher told Meredith one time that she was her son’s biggest advocate. And I think that’s what Youth Villages is. You’re the kid’s biggest advocate. You speak for them. In so many programs and what you do, there would be many lost kids without you guys.”

Greg and Meredith then went on to discuss why others should get more involved with Youth Villages. “I think kids are so important. It’s an old cliché, that they are our future, but they are. There’s a lot of kids who need help. You guys do all you can but you can’t do more until more people help and support,” Greg stated.

Meredith went on to share, “It’s so easy to watch the news or see something on social media and complain about the world, or be outraged. How about instead actually do something and give to an organization that’s creating change? And changing things for the better. That’s what Youth Villages is doing.”

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Ashley HomeStore Hope to Dream Bed Giveaway In July 2021, 41 Youth Villages’ kids were the recipi-

For Memphis Tigers Assistant Coach Anthony Jones

ents of new beds because of the generosity of Ashley

the bed reveal hit home. “Being a native Memphian,

HomeStore. Ashley partnered with the Memphis

from the Westwood community, I’ve had friends that

Tigers football team to host a mini football camp and

have grown up without beds. Growing up, you get a

then surprise the kids with their beds complete with

chance to see what it’s really like and we’ve been very

bedding and pillows. Our kids were filled with happi-

fortunate and blessed to provide that. Hopefully, no

ness as they began searching for beds they would get

child goes without a bed,” Jones said.

to call their own; a bed that will inspire them to make their dreams a reality.

Lauren Hamsley, spokeswoman for Ashley HomeStore, said “Hope to Dream is such an incredible program and we at Ashley HomeStore are thrilled to partner with Youth Villages to help provide a basic need many of us take for granted! Good, healthy sleep is so important to the growth and wellbeing of a child.

It can propel them forward in so many ways. We’re here to help meet this need in our community and to give hope that fuels their dreams for tomorrow.” This marks the sixth year Ashley HomeStore has presented a Hope to Dream event with the University of Memphis Football team. Since its inception eleven years ago, the national Hope to Dream program has provided a fresh, new bed to more than 11,000 children. Hope to Dream believes that every child should have a good night’s sleep and a bed to call their own. They believe

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that by helping a child sleep well, they are poised to lead a healthier, more productive life.

Savannah O., smiles big after her bed reveal.

Kingston M., Youth Villages bed recipient enjoys attention from the Memphis Tigers Youth Villages is grateful to Ashley HomeStore for sup-

We are so incredibly appreciative of the Tigers for

plying beds to kids in our care. We know many kids

volunteering their time and energy, and look forward

don’t have that, and we’re thankful to be teaming up

to future events!

to make sure more kids in our community do.

Memphis Tigers continue to give to Youth Villages Youth This wasn’t the first or last time we have partnered with the University of Memphis Athletics Department.

Over the last six months, the Tigers have been actively

Would you like to volunteer with Youth Villages like the Memphis Tigers? When you volunteer with us, you create a direct, positive impact on the lives of young people being helped through Youth Villages and supplement funding for programs. In addition to individual volunteers, we welcome corporate, church

volunteering on our residential campuses.

and volunteer groups to participate. All of your efforts

Whether it was an obstacle course, flag football game,

of helping children and families live successfully! To

or team-building exercise led by our recreational therapy team, these activities meant the world to our

are deeply appreciated and help us fulfill our mission learn more please visit: https://www.youthvillages.org/get-involved

kids. Not only did they have a great time, but they also learned hard work, perseverance, and committed themselves to always strive for excellence and ask for help when needed. But of course, the volunteer experience goes both ways. We often say that adults learn just as much if not more from our youth, and this was particularly true of Morris Joseph, defensive line for the Memphis Tigers, who recalled, “I think they impacted us more than we did them because just hearing their stories and seeing how happy they were for us to come out here.”

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University of Memphis Volleyball players Elizabeth Orf and Addyson Huber show girls at the Rose Center the proper volleyball stance.

WEST TENNESSEE REGION CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN JANUARY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2021

LEADER

10,0000 to $24,999

$

Anonymous Employee Giving Jersey Mike’s Konica Minolta Business Solutions Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation Ms. Sandra Watson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin NexAir, LLC The PeyBack Foundation TJX Foundation Inc. United Way of the Mid-South

PROTECTOR 5,000 to $9,999

$

Bluescope Foundation, N.A. Boyle Investment Company Lakeland Lions Foundation Linkous Construction Co., Inc. Memphis Area Association of REALTORS Strategic Online Systems Watkins Uiberall, PLLC

BUILDER

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUTH VILLAGES. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF OF YOUTH VILLAGES GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THESE THOUGHTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS.

INNOVATOR 100,000+

$

1,000 to $4,999

$

Allen & Hoshall Amazon Smile America’s Local Independent Charities of America Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc. Delta Dental of Tennessee

Anonymous

Greystone & Company HQ Trivia Rangers Cottage, LLC

PILLAR

25,000 to 49,999

$

$

AutoZone Cummins First Horizon Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Randall IF YOU MADE A CONTRIBUTION DURING THIS TIME BUT IT IS NOT LISTED, PLEASE CALL 901-251-5000.

International Paper Corporation Kele, Inc. Lynch Chevrolet-Cadillac of Auburn Mr. and Mrs. Danny Lee Mr. and Mrs. Gary Shorb Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Pennington Mr. and Mrs. Louis Loeb Mr. and Mrs. Robert Loeb Mr. Benjamin Payne

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Mr. Brian Owens Mr. Harry Freeman and Ms. Sara Ratner Mr. John Fisher Mr. Michael Harris Mr. Nathaniel Landau Mr. Wyeth and Dr. Melody Greene Mrs. Diane Jones Mrs. Sharon Goldstein Ms. Danielle Barlow Ms. Linda Payne Pinnacle Bank The UPS Store - Cordova Ticket to Dream Foundation

FRIEND OF YOUTH VILLAGES 500 to $999

$

Charles Stricklin Crye-Leike of Arkansas, Inc. Clara Vescovo Mr. and Mrs. Lee Glasgow Darian S. Chasteen Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.

John Marshall Loretta Susan Wyatt Mr. James Barton Mavis Snyder Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Copeland

EWR, Inc. First Polestari of Marion Mr. and Mrs. David Young Mr. and Mrs. James Gattas Mr. and Mrs. Jon Wright Mr. and Mrs. Sid Phadke Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rieman Mr. Ken Kloker Mrs. Dabney Wellford Ms. Joyce Sealand Ms. Marya Green Ms. Siobhan Stack Shanaman Family Foundation

MEMORIALS

Doris Lee Baer

Ms. Sara Morris Mrs. Laurie Sewell Mr. and Ms. Jerle Davis Anne Coggins Pat’s Pro Cut Cathay Fleming Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.

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HONORARIUMS Anne Ross Ms. Lynn Farrar

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireland Mrs. Holly Trowbridge Dorothy Jean Brown Ms. Teresa Shukla Dottie Cherry Ms. Connie Warren Dr. Tim Goldsmith Mr. and Mrs. James Williamson

Bryan and Kimberly Jordan and Mithilesh Shukla Ms. Teresa Shukla Nancy Menzies Ms. Linda Ross Ray Moise Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc. Renee Fair Haney Crye-Leike South, Inc

Family Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lawler Chloe Alexander Katie Kirkpatrick Cindy Lynch Ms. Mable Barringer Cliff Reyle Charity Gift Certification

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sadowski Earnest Pappas

Crye-Leike South, Inc

Jimmy and Margie Lackie Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lawler

Brother International Corporation

Sandra Ballard Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireland

Joshua Francisco Ms. Wilanda Francisco

Edward House Mr. and Mrs. Joe Don House

Sean “Bull” Thompson Ms. Carolyn Starnes

Mark Jackson Jr. Mr. Mark Jackson

Eric Bonito Mr. Richard Bonito

Shelia Rector Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireland

Everette D. Sims, Jr. Ms. Teresa Shukla

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireland

Ms. Diane Cox Diana Dedmon Mr. and Mrs. Danny Buring

Jennifer Kriesel

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rast Stephen Abston

Jill Terry

Ms. Teresa Shukla

Mr. and Mrs. Danny Lee Mrs. Libby Wyatt

Susan Wyatt Great Oaks Church of Christ

Joanne Kimble Ms. Teresa Shukla

Ms. Bridget Head Mr. and Mrs. Davis Curtright Mrs. Cindy Johnson

Joe Nikolson Crye-Leike of Arkansas, Inc.

Tom Kimbrough Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.

John Hardin Crye-Leike of Arkansas, Inc.

Family Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lawler

Mrs. Catherine Davis Hester Boyd, Sr.

Michael and Marian Bruns and

Staci Gentry Wolford

Jane and Tommy Borgognoni Andy Yarborough

Mrs. Megan Facer

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robeson

Robert Dearing Cigna-Memphis

Wilma Rose Greenlee

Mrs. Libby Wyatt

Patrick Lawler Mr. H. Larry Hilbun

SAVE THE DATE

Join us and become a holiday hero for kids in our community this holiday season!

Sign-up to be matched with a youth in our community or donate today!

2022 Want to make a year-end gift to help impact Youth Villages’ work?

Give a one-time or monthly gift online: youthvillages.org/donate You can designate West Tennessee under the Donate To drop down section

Send a check with your one-time gift made out to Youth Villages

Mail to: Youth Villages Attn: Katie Jones, Director of Development 3320 Brother Boulevard Memphis, TN 38133 Recommend a grant from your Donor-Advised Fund through your fund administrator.

When granting through your DAF, please use the following information:

Tax ID: 62-1652079 Mailing address: Youth Villages 3320 Brother Boulevard Memphis, TN 38133 Please reach out to Katie Jones to let her know once the gift is made at Katie.Jones@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-4813

Give a gift of stock or from your IRA Please reach out to Katie Jones to receive these instructions at Katie.Jones@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-4813

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YOUTH VILLAGES

3320 Brother Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38133 (Address Service Requested)

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES

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 West Tennessee is published by Youth Villages ©

2021 Youth Villages, Inc.

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