SPRING 2022
New
HEIGHTS FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES
LIFESET™ WINS BIG ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE MELISSA JOAN HART DELIVERS HER PRIZE FOR YOUTH VILLAGES IN PERSON
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
• INTERCEPT® RATED “WELL-SUPPORTED” • ELIJAH FINDS HIS FOREVER HOME • GENERATIONS OF VOLUNTEERS
UPDATE
FROM YOUTH VILLAGES REGIONAL DIRECTOR I feel like every letter I have written over the last several updates from Youth Villages starts with something pertaining to COVID-19, and this newsletter is no exception. As we started the new year, Omicron was surging, case numbers were increasing and community spread was still an ongoing concern. We continued to adapt our services so that our children and families were safe and, yet, still receiving the critical care they needed from our dedicated staff. Even as we continue navigating this pandemic, we still see success stories every single day. Inside this newsletter, you’ll read about foster parents continuing to take kids into their homes, and how many of these fostering situations are turning into adoptions—kids are getting forever families when family is needed most. You’ll also read about our dedicated Youth Villages staff—in their compassion, their time and financial support. Our amazing staff are one major reason our organization sits apart from other nonprofits doing similar work in our community. As we approach Foster Care Awareness Month in May, we desperately need two things: we need to certify more foster homes and we need to hire more staff to handle our ever-increasing demand to best serve our communities. On average in Tennessee, there are approximately 7,500 children in foster care and around 350 children in full guardianship (available for adoption) who don’t have an identified adoptive home. Approximately 1,000 children age out of care in Tennessee every year. If you or someone you know is interested in fostering, or if you simply want to provide support to a family who is fostering, please reach out. You can find more information on foster care and career opportunities at Youth Villages on our website, youthvillages.org. On behalf of our staff, advisory board, children, families and young people we serve, thank you for supporting our mission in Middle Tennessee.
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Brittany Farrar REGIONAL DIRECTOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE PROGRAMS brittany.farrar@youthvillages.org 615-250-7322
YOUTH VILLAGES MIDDLE TENNESSEE ADVISORY BOARD Meghan Markie, Chair
Shannon Millen
Elaina Brintnall
Dominique Haywood Miller
Scott Brisson
Chris Patterson
Paul Dent
Helen Roudi
Vaughan DePillo
Bailey Saunders
Sara Eatherly
Tony Sharpe
Jason Egly
Lisa Small
Meredith Forehand
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
Matthew Gann Bill Hamburg* Beth Jones Nate Kenney Shannon Lapsley Sarah Mickle
Shayleen Stuto Betsy Walkup* Pat Wallace* Michelle Warren Jeremy Werthan*
*Honorary board 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 3,400 employees help more than 32,000 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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YOUTH VILLAGES INTERCEPT EARNS “WELLSUPPORTED” RATING FEDERAL FUNDING WILL EXPAND PROGRAM TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The Youth Villages Intercept program model recently achieved an important milestone earning the “wellsupported” rating from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. The rating allows states to receive federal funding to pay for our effective in-home program that strengthens and restores families and reduces the need for foster care or out-of-home care. Intercept is one of only 12 models in the country to receive this highest rating. “Nearly 30 years ago, Youth Villages made intensive inhome services the foundation of everything we do,” said CEO Patrick Lawler. “This endorsement is a testament to the work of thousands of family intervention specialists and will enable the expansion of the program through direct services and implementing agency partners to help more children and families across the country.” Every year, more than four million families across the country find themselves at a difficult crisis point that could cause a child to be placed in foster care or an out-of-home treatment program. Family intervention specialists intercept struggling families, helping them find their way to wellbeing with behavioral and emotional health interventions for the child and systemic support for every member of the family. Last year, Intercept helped more than 10,000 families in 13 states. Youth Villages began intensive in-home services in 1995, through initial funding from the Plough Foundation, and the Intercept program has become an integral part of positive change in child welfare systems in the states where it serves.
The rating is based on two studies led by Dr. Fred Wulczyn’s team from the Center for State Child Welfare Data at Chapin Hall at The University of Chicago. The studies found that Intercept had positive impacts on preventing placement in foster care and helping children achieve permanency quickly if out-of-home care is necessary. The evaluations concluded: Placement: Intercept reduced the chances of out-ofhome placement by 53% following the first maltreatment investigation. The effect of Intercept was sustained at six and 12 months after Intercept services ended. Permanency: Compared to a matched comparison group, after controlling for how long they were in care, the odds of achieving permanency were approximately 24% higher for the Intercept group. Placement–A Second Look: Examining a more recent sample of youth, Intercept reduced the chances of outof-home placement by 37% following a maltreatment investigation. Note that the observation window was shorter for this study, which may partially account for the difference in findings. The Clearinghouse—established by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—conducts objective and transparent reviews of research on programs and services intended to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements. It determines what services can be funded under the Family First Prevention Services Act.
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Melissa Joan Hart visited with staff and LifeSet youth at our Nashville office after her major win for Youth Villages on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Guests also enjoyed a special cake commemorating her win.
CELEBRITY WINS BIG FOR YOUTH VILLAGES Actress, producer and director Melissa Joan Hart, known for her role as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, made some magic for Youth Villages last fall. Hart competed on the game show Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and chose Youth Villages as her nonprofit beneficiary. “It was such a joy,” Hart said. “It was such a fun thing to be a part of. First of all, I always lose on game shows. Growing up I was asked to do a lot of Nickelodeon game shows and Jeopardy!, and I always lost. So, this time I went in very prepared.”
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“I always love anything that is for the betterment of children’s lives—anything that is going to help children have a better chance at success,” Hart said. “The money is going to LifeSet, which is to help children aging out of foster care, mainly ages 17 to 22 years old. It’s basically bridging that gap between childhood and adulthood.” Hart, who now resides in Nashville, spent an afternoon in December at the Middle Tennessee Youth Villages office celebrating her winnings and connecting with the young adults who will benefit from her generosity.
Hart’s preparation paid off, as she was awarded the largest prize in the show’s history by solving the million-dollar puzzle: BRAN MUFFINS.
Current and former LifeSet participants and their specialists enjoyed a luncheon with Hart that included sharing stories, a lot of selfies and a custom-made “Wheel of Fortune” cake.
An advocate for the LifeSet™ program, Hart’s winnings ($1,039,800) will be used to support young adults aging out of state custody across the country.
“The work they do is so important in our country,” Hart said about Youth Villages and the impact of the LifeSet program.
A FOREVER HOME FOR ELIJAH
Elijah and Caleb not only found best friends in each other, but ‘forever brothers.’
Alisa and Brian fostered several kids through Youth Villages starting in 2017. They also have a son, Caleb, who is 8 years old. Their intention was to adopt, but for several reasons, their foster care placements didn’t pan out for adoption. However, in 2021, their Youth Villages adoption specialist called with the news that she found a perfect fit for their family—8-year-old Elijah. “They’re basically the same boy,” Brian said of Elijah and Caleb. “I’m thrilled that we seemed to have found true brothers.” After six months of fostering, Elijah was officially adopted in early November, just in time to spend the holidays with his new family. Christmas 2021 was Alisa and Brian’s first year with two children in the home. “I can’t stand the thought of me saying ‘no’ and a child not having a place to go,” Alisa said. “It is exciting to assure Elijah that he is part of this family, and it’s never going to go away.” Even during peak community transmission of COVID-19, Youth Villages has continued to offer Zoom training and support for foster and adoptive families.
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Lilly Lapidus shops for Youth Villages’ annual school supply drive, Backpack Heroes.
GENERATIONS: YOUTH VILLAGES VOLUNTEERS LISA SMALL’S AND KIM LAPIDUS’ YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE NASHVILLE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR JEWISH WOMEN (NCJW) BROUGHT THEM TO YOUTH VILLAGES ALONG WITH KIM’S DAUGHTER, LILLY, TO EXPAND THEIR OUTREACH. For years, the NCJW volunteered at the Middle Tennessee residential facility, Deer Valley. Through their volunteering experiences, Lisa and Kim became life-long advocates for Youth Villages. Lisa joined the Youth Villages Middle Tennessee board in 2004. She worked as a teacher before she had kids and as a tutor after she had kids, so she was knowledgeable about the needs and struggles of kids and young people. Youth Villages was relatively new to the Nashville area in 2004. Lisa spent a lot of time spreading the word about what the organization does, sharing stories and educating the community on how Youth Villages is different from other nonprofits and children’s programs. Lisa was intrigued by the evidence-based programming, the 24-hour access families and children have to their counselors, and the passion team members have for the Youth Villages mission. She learned that a large percentage of Youth Villages team members donate a portion of their salaries back to the mission during the annual Our Family Campaign, further demonstrating that passion. As she rolls off the board this year, Lisa still plans to help fundraise and bring awareness for the work Youth Villages is doing in Middle Tennessee and across the country. After the Deer Valley campus closed, Kim, like Lisa, wanted to keep volunteering with Youth Villages. She is exceptionally passionate about both Backpack Heroes and Holiday Heroes fundraising.
“As a teacher... you’re mentoring, helping kids deal with issues at home. At Youth Villages, they have a solution to a problem that has gone unsolved for who knows how long.” Lisa Small, Middle Tennessee Advisory Board Member
“I like the idea of collecting more than money, of providing tangible items for kids who otherwise may not have access to things they need for school,” Kim said. Her seventh-grade daughter, Lilly, was moved by her mom’s involvement. Last year for her Bat Mitzvah, Lilly selected Youth Villages and specifically Backpack Heroes as her service project. She sent out emails and posted on social media to collect either money or school supply donations for a total of $1,300. Lilly and Kim went shopping for school supplies, using coupons and finding sales to make the most of the money. She also donated a percentage of the money she was gifted from her Bat Mitzvah. Lilly ended up donating $1,800 in school supplies. The number 18 is significant in Hebrew, where it is representative of life.
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN JULY 1 THROUGH DEC. 31, 2021 Lilly Lapidus presents Assistant Development Director Greg Schott a $ 1000 check making her the youngest Champion for Children in Middle Tennessee. Lilly donated money she received from her Bat Mitzvah to the LifeSet program.
INNOVATOR 100,000+
$
Anonymous
VISIONARY
50,000 to $99,999
$
Anonymous Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation
PILLAR
25,000 to $49,000
$
TechnologyAdvice Vic and Liz Kennedy Thomas The Memorial Foundation The Tennessee Titans Foundation
LEADER
10,000 to $24,999
$
Anonymous Carlson Family Foundation Dell Mrs. Laura Stasko NaviHealth, Inc. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee The HCA Foundation Thomas & Company
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*If you made a contribution during this time (above $1,000) but it is not listed, please call 615-250-7200.
Donors continue on page 10
MIDDLE TENNESSEE EMPLOYEES RAISE OVER $ 100,000 Middle Tennessee Youth Villages employees opt to “give back” to their organization by donating a portion of their paycheck each month to assist with the programs they provide and to assist fellow co-workers who might be in crisis. Nationally, Youth Villages’ employees gave back $1,333,128 to the Our Family Campaign last year.
The Development team, (left to right) Julie Abbott, Greg Schott, Rae Ryan and Lyndsay Wilkinson, presents the Our Family Campaign to the rest of the staff every September.
One of the most unique qualities about Youth Villages is that not only is it a charitable organization, but the staff is incredibly charitable as well. For more than 21 years, Youth Villages’ staff has generously funded the Our Family Campaign (OFC) by donating a portion of their paychecks to support the programs they provide to the community or to assist fellow teammates who might be experiencing crisis or have had a personal hardship. This is no small campaign. In Middle Tennessee alone, more than 80% of employees gave back $114,358 to this year’s campaign. Even during uncertain times and pandemic conditions, Youth Villages employees are dedicated to the work they do, as well as the health and wellness of their co-workers. It’s truly a family!
Why do they give? Here’s what our employees are saying: Jennifer Harris: I’ve worked with Youth Villages for a little over 16 years, and I’ve contributed to OFC every year that I’ve worked here. In the beginning, I gave because I knew what an impact it made to be able to OFC continues on page 10
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Donors continued
OFC continued
PROTECTOR
help the families we worked with. As I grew with the organization, I was able to see its direct impact on our employees who were going through some of their worst times. Most recently, I give because I understand that OFC is indicative that Youth Villages is a different kind or organization; we believe in our mission so much, that we contribute to it in all the ways we can. OFC is just one attribute that sets Youth Villages apart.
5,000 to $9,999
$
Advance Financial Foundation Dr. David Trenner Junior League of Nashville Fishel Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Speyer
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Swann The Arbor Rouge Foundation The Jones Fund Ticket to Dream Foundation
BUILDER
1,000 to $4,999
$
Mr. Jon Baumgarten Mrs. Cassidy Bentley Todd Cyphers Caterpillar Financial Charity Golf International, LLC Churchill Foundation DBH Distributing, LLC Mr. Paul Dent Mr. Jason Egly EWI of Nashville Mr. Ken Fitzpatrick Julian Fox Mr. Stephen Francescon Mrs. Lee Frantz Mr. and Mrs. Harris Gilbert Mr. and Mrs. William Hamburg Hannah Constructors, LLC Mr. Andrew Hawkins LeeAnn Hill Jackson®
Eva and Ricky Johnson Mrs. Heloise Kuhn Ms. Katherine McElroy McLeroy Foundation Mr. Miller Orr Esen Ozgener Robert Penick Jason Plunkett Rogers Group, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Clark Rollins Ms. Amy Stoianowski The 4th Wall, LLC The Churchill Foundation The Dale Family Foundation Lewis Thomason Charitable Giving, Inc. UBS Financial Services
HONORARIUM AND MEMORIALS
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Todd Austin Tony Austin Gina Birdsey Taylor Christian Brewer Tijuana Claiborne Jaala Cox ECNL Boys Leander F. Tina Hunt Frost Lilly Lapidus
Amanda Madonia Jenny Matthews Lonny Miller John Roberson Jen Ruggieri Joyce Smotherman Jim Thomas Deborah Waller Linda Ward Reid Ward
Christal Baker: I participate in OFC because I am able to see first-hand where the money is going and how beneficial it is to both staff and the youth/families we work with. So many of our youth have already been through so much, and I feel like if I’m able to help with something even as simple as even a few bags of groceries, it is worth it to me. Also, a few co-workers who I know personally have had some pretty tragic events happen in their lives and OFC funds were able to be used to assist them. One of them had just purchased his first home with his perfectly healthy wife when she had a stroke that left her hospitalized for several months. Another co-worker’s husband was involved in a tragic car accident that left him temporarily paralyzed, and she needed a little extra support. While I am thankful that nothing of this severity has happened to me, I am grateful that these funds would be made available to support me in a time of need as well. Maria Nicole Swann: Over the years I have been involved in many situations where the ability to give OFC dollars to our employees and families who are in need has been so meaningful. No one wants to imagine that they would be in a situation where the need to use these funds, but having them available is a true example of how we are a family and can support each other in times of need.
Foster Hope With A Village Behind You. LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTER PARENTING.
888-MY-YV-KID youthvillages.org/foster
THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.
EVENTS
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the hundreds of children we help every day in Middle Tennessee.
GET INVOLVED Support Youth Villages Rae Ryan, Director of Development rae.ryan@youthvillages.org | 615-250-7207
Donor-advised fund or representing a foundation June 27, 2022 Please stay tuned for more details on our 11th year raising valuable funds for the LifeSet program. For more information on participation and sponsorship, contact Lyndsay Wilkinson at Lyndsay.Wilkinson@youthvillages.org
Greg Schott, Assistant Director of Development greg.schott@youthvillages.org | 615-250-7262
Fundraising events or becoming a corporate partner Lyndsay Wilkinson, Assistant Director, Development and Communications lyndsay.wilkinson@youthvillages.org | 615-250-7278
Volunteer opportunities Julie Abbott, Community Development Manager julie.abbott@youthvillages.org | 615-250-7266
STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE Kicking off May 4 | 6 p.m. The Big Payback is a 24-hour day of online giving to support area nonprofits. Youth Villages, with support from Pierce PR, will participate in tandem with the Middle Tennessee Advisory Board to raise much-needed funds to expand the YVScholars program to give LifeSet participants the opportunity to continue their educations.
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YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG
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YOUTH VILLAGES
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3310 Perimeter Hill Drive Nashville, TN 37211
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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, Fort Smith Florida: Lakeland Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis, Madison Louisiana: Metairie Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn 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 Middle Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Prefer not to receive a printed newsletter? Email cynthia.vanelli@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-5000. To also receive a digital copy of our newsletters and join our email list, sign up at youthvillages.org/stay-informed.