New
SPRING
HEIGHTS
2022
FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES
INTERCEPT RATED “WELLSUPPORTED” ®
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
• LIFESET™ EXPANSION • SHA’KYRA WRITES TO HEAL • DONOR SPOTLIGHT: PAT RITZ
UPDATE
FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Late in 2020, Youth Villages Oregon quietly kicked off a $2 million campaign. Our goal: double the number of youth we can reach with our evidencebased program, LifeSet. Philanthropic dollars helped launch LifeSet in 2016, and while we have seen tremendous gains to increase the state of Oregon’s investment in outcome-driven services for young people aging out of care, this pandemic propelled the need to expand our capacity. I was uncertain of launching a robust fundraising effort during a pandemic, assuming it would take at least three years to raise that level of support. I was wrong. A few incredible individuals and foundations made early, transformational gifts. These tremendous individuals recognized their roles in helping build a bridge for young people in Oregon’s foster care system to cross into adulthood and successfully achieve their goals. Collectively, we have raised 1.7 million to date. Now, we want to invite YOU to be part of this final stretch. Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund has supported our organization for decades. They were one of the first to commit to this effort with a $150,000 matching grant. They believe in the youth we work with, and they believe in each of you to help rise to this challenge. $
Gifts up to $10,000 will be doubled to support youth in Oregon. Your gift is an investment in someone like Amanda Matthews, our LifeSet supervisor, who works with young people like K’laja. Both of their stories are included in this newsletter. More importantly, your gift is an investment in a future of possibilities for a population of youth who deserve endless opportunities. I hope you will consider giving to this effort today.
OREGON ADVISORY BOARD Bill de la Cruz, Chair Sr. Guadalupe Guajardo, Outgoing Chair Charlie Swindells, Incoming Chair Jaquelyn Reyes Alonzo Bethany Bounds Mariel Combs David Durocher Alice Galloway Ian Galloway Robin Henderson Joan Horstkotte Ann Mestrovich Elijah Pahl H. Patterson Ritz D. Colby Schlicker Pete Stofle
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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Andrew Grover EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OREGON andrew.grover@youthvillages.org 503-675-2232
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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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LIFESET EXPANSION
Since launching LifeSet six years ago in Oregon, Youth Villages has become a trusted and valued partner in Oregon’s child welfare system. Private philanthropy has allowed us to provide LifeSet services and positive outcomes to 20 young people aging out of foster care (up to 30 in one year).
In September 2020, Youth Villages Oregon launched a $ 2 million campaign to more than double our LifeSet capacity from 20 youth served on any given day to 50.
TIMELINE OF GENEROSITY Quietly launched $2 million capacity campaign to increase the number of young people we can serve with LifeSet
Achieved first $50,000 matching support of Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund challenge grant
2020
2022
SEPTEMBER
2021
MAY
Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund approved a $150,000 challenge grant to support LifeSet expansion
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Raised 50% of campaign goal
JANUARY
APRIL
300,000 to goal/ raised $1.7 million $
K’LAJA’S STORY K’laja is currently enrolled in Youth Villages’ LifeSet program, an intensive support program designed to help youth actualize their goals of self-sufficiency and independence as they prepare to age out of foster care. Without these supports, young people face far worse outcomes than their peers in terms of educational attainment, employment, housing and engagement with law enforcement—all key focuses of LifeSet. For K’laja, growing up in foster care reflects the dual reality many youth like her face. She can point to passionate and caring social workers who went out of their way to help her be successful. However, the trauma and abuse she faced throughout her childhood—and the constant change she experienced bouncing around different foster homes and residential programs—left her in a vulnerable situation at a crucial juncture in her life. Despite these barriers, K’laja is determined to change her story. Today, with the support of her LifeSet specialist, she is enrolled in college working toward a degree in social work. Her dream is to go on to law school and use her experiences to change the foster care system so that future kids don’t face the same challenges and traumas she did. This is the difference LifeSet makes for youth like K’laja. With support from donors like you, our specialists walk alongside youth, helping them focus on their goals and learn the skills they need to realize them.
AMANDA’S STORY Youth Villages is excited to welcome Amanda Matthews as the new supervisor for the LifeSet program in Oregon. We are grateful to have Amanda lead the LifeSet team as we begin 2022, a year with ambitious growth goals for the program. Amanda brings a true passion for transition-age youth services, dating back to her roots growing up on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. She saw firsthand the systemic challenges facing her community and was driven to make a difference. Amanda attended University of Wyoming, earning her undergraduate degree. She then received a Master in Social Work degree, all while working and volunteering with organizations that advocate for young adults. When Amanda found out about Youth Villages and the LifeSet program, it was an instant fit and she knew this was where she wanted to work. “LifeSet gives intentional social support to advocate for the changes transition-age foster youth want to make in their lives,” she said. “Whether this is in education, housing, money management, or other areas of their life, we act as those adult, peer mentors to help guide and teach them how to be successful in their goals.” Amanda is excited to lead the expansion of LifeSet in Oregon during this crucial junction so more youth like K’laja can receive the level of support they need to be successful.
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(left) Sha’Kyra was thrilled to receive a laptop for school from donors to Youth Villages’ Backpack Heroes program.
Sha’Kyra’s grandparents gained full custody when she was around two years old because her mother was unable to financially care for her. While in her grandparents’ care, she and her grandfather developed a special relationship. She was his favorite, and they loved each other’s sense of humor. When he passed away, her life was turned upside down. The way Sha’Kyra dealt with her grandfather’s death affected her actions both at school and in the home. At school, she encountered a lot of disciplinary incidents and faced bullying on a regular basis.
HEALING THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD Sha’Kyra copes with grandfather’s death, mends relationship with grandmother with the help of the Youth Villages Intercept program Sometimes, the closest people to us—family and friends— don’t understand. They may think they know the situation better than anyone, even the person who is suffering. Instead of helping that person, it may lead to further issues. That’s what Sha’Kyra experienced with the passing of her grandfather when she was 12 years old. Everyone, including her grandmother, Tonya, thought they knew how Sha’Kyra felt and what was best for her. They didn’t, and Sha’Kyra, an introvert by nature, tried other ways—mostly negative—to handle her grief.
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“When her grandfather passed, she suffered trauma and went into depression,” said Devon Martinez, Youth Villages Regional Supervisor who worked with her near the end of her treatment.
Her issues did not get any better at home. Tonya and Sha’Kyra had difficulty communicating, with the grandmother’s outspoken personality a lot of times engulfing her shy nature. This caused her to have more anger toward Tonya and build more barriers of communication between them. She continued to spiral downward. “Her trauma went on further into suicidal ideation and even animal cruelty,” Devon said. Sha’Kyra, 14 years old at the time, was sent to a juvenile counselor who referred her and the family to Youth Villages and its Intercept program, which recently received a “well-supported” designation from the from the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. Intercept is a comprehensive, systemic approach that lightens the load of family stress and instability for parents or caregivers, stepping in to help children with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as every member of the family. Specialists help children and families learn ways to address mental health needs, assist with schools and teachers, promote the family’s financial and housing stability, work in the neighborhood and with children’s peers, and provide 24hour, in-person crisis support to families. Sha’Kyra and her family began the Intercept program in February 2021. While she was getting the help she needed, Tonya wasn’t “all-in” from the start. “Most kids that come to us have already gone through multiple services,” Devon said. “This family had not, and the grandmother was hesitant. Tonya told you the way she felt Sha’Kyra continues on page 11
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
How did you become involved? My wife, Trudy, was asked to join Christie School Women’s Auxiliary by my aunt, Ellen Ritz, when we moved from California back to Portland. During Trudy’s involvement, Christie School was recruiting board candidates, and Trudy recommended me to the board. I joined in 1980 and served on the board for three terms, including serving as president for two years. I stayed involved on real estate issues, even after I completed my board service. In the 2000s, Christie School changed its name to ChristieCare, and in addition to the operational board, added a ChristieCare Foundation board. I was serving as Foundation board Chair at the time of our merger with Youth Villages. I just recently completed nine years serving on the national Youth Villages board of directors.
What sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families? Youth Villages focuses on its outcomes and results. Our organization made early investments into tracking the progress of youth, after completing our programs, to understand their effectiveness. As a result, Youth Villages’ programs are confirmed by results, and if at any time those results are not as strong, we look at our programs and make adjustments. On any given day across the country, there are 7,000–8,000 kids going through a Youth Villages tried and tested program. And we will follow up with them to understand our program impact. That information helps at the state level. We can show them our results, and they can make an investment into programs that have meaningful results for youth and families.
Why do you support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?
PAT RITZ A family legacy and a lifetime commitment to children in our community
States are challenged to invest in new programs and initiatives—despite strong outcomes. Private philanthropy takes the initiative to bring a Youth Villages program to the region until states are ready to make that needed commitment and investment to support kids and families.
What would you say to encourage others to financially support Youth Villages? Every youth and family who experiences one of Youth Villages’ programs has a better chance of success. Our organization and staff are better because of their time spent developing youth and families.
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OREGON CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN JULY 1 THROUGH DEC. 31, 2021 Maybelle Clark Macdonald Maybelle Clark Macdonald (second from left) is seen here at a ChristieCare event. The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund has been a longtime supporter and regional funder, and has offered a $150,000 challenge grant in support of expanding LifeSet to youth aging out of foster care.
Gifts up to $10,000 matched Your gift up to $10,000, including contributions made from your donor-advised fund with Oregon Community Foundation, Fidelity, Schwab Charitable and more, will count towards this challenge grant. Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund has been investing in people and helping improve communities for more than 50 years. We are proud to have partnered with the fund for much of their incredible history, especially with their founder and namesake, Maybelle Clark Macdonald.
VISIONARY
LEADER
PROTECTOR
John Graeter OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation Trudy & Pat Ritz
Dutch Bros Coffee Dutch Bros Foundation Harry A. Merlo Foundation In-N-Out Burger Foundation Kaiser Permanente MAS Family Charitable Foundation Silver Family Foundation The Renaissance Foundation Wheeler Foundation Youth Villages Oregon Employees Our Family Campaign
Airstream Adventures Juan Young Trust June & Julian Foss Foundation Lam Research Keith Legg Providence Health & Services Stimson-Miller Foundation The Holzman Foundation, Inc.
50,000 to $99,999
$
PILLAR
25,000 to $49,000
$
Banneker Partners LLC David & Terry Durocher Summer Lea Hillman Foundation The Cousens Trust
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10,000 to $24,999
$
5,000 to $9,999
$
BUILDER
1,000 to $4,999
$
Leticia Acosta Keith & Sharon Barnes
Churchill Foundation Daniel Fagan Les & Nancy Fahey First Tech Federal Credit Union G5 Search Marketing, Inc. H. W. Irwin & D.C.H. Irwin Foundation Hoffman Corporation Joan Horstkotte Leotta Gordon Foundation Les Schwab Tire Centers Anita & Gerald Lindsay Paula Miller PacificSource Health Plans Steve Reinisch Marcus & Samantha Santangelo
THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.
Chris & Laura Seyfarth Brian Shipley Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Pete Stofle Kenneth Thrasher Elva & Larry Tokarski Micheal & Kay Wells Windermere Foundation Amy Worth
HONORARIUMS Tom & Lori Malone Banneker Partners LLC Duncan
Andrea Barney Patricia Bradley Sam Bridgnell Ian & Nicole Galloway Charie Gonzalez Kimberly Munkres Rachel Parrott Fred Roach Colby & Christine Schlicker Robin van der Hoest Daniel Whitmore
Lisa Latham Sydney Bell Lisa Blair
Partner with Youth Villages as a donor, emerging professional or corporation. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the hundreds of children and families we help every day across Oregon.
GET INVOLVED Financially support Youth Villages Donations | Donor-advised funds | Foundations
Chris Ryan Patricia Bradley Parker Jackson Gibson Graeter
Become a superhero for our youth Backpack Heroes | Holiday Heroes | Birthday Heroes
John Graeter Trudy & Pat Ritz Kathi Snouffer Les & Nancy Fahey Kenneth Thrasher
Become a corporate partner Event sponsorships | Volunteering | Matching gifts
Learn about board leadership positions Local Advisory Board | Ambassador Board for emerging professionals Shauna Lugar, Development Director shauna.lugar@youthvillages.org | 503-675-2256
LIFESET CAPACITY CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP DONORS Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund Mariel & Jason Combs Les & Nancy Fahey John Graeter Byron & Cynthia Grant Tasca & Paul Gulick Joan Horstkotte Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation
BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES
Nicolas Ball
Hayden Santangelo
MONTHLY CHAMPIONS
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Steven Reinisch Trudy & Pat Ritz Summer Lea Hillman Foundation Darci & Charles Swindells The Renaissance Foundation Kenneth Thrasher OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation
Jonathan Whitmore, Development Manager jonathan.whitmore@youthvillages.org | 503-675-2206
STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE twitter.com/youthvillages facebook.com/youthvillages instagram.com/youthvillages linkedin.com/company/youth-villages youtube.com/youthvillages
YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG
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JOIN THE YOUTH VILLAGES AMBASSADOR BOARD!
OREGON AMBASSADOR BOARD Candace Elliott, Chair Gemma Nelson, Vice Chair Sam Bridgnell Ethan Eisenstein Nikki Gardner
Youth Villages Oregon’s Ambassador Board is a group of emerging professionals dedicated to helping young people and families live successfully. Through networking, fundraising, events and community outreach, the Ambassador Board works to facilitate the vision and mission of Youth Villages and create lasting and powerful change in our community.
Sarah Levine
Last year, the Ambassador Board raised funds and awareness for our Backpack Heroes and Holiday Heroes drives in Oregon that supported more than 400 local families.
Ulises Piccini
Megan Neely Rachel Parrott Angela Perry Marcus Santangelo Hana Watari Daniel Whitmore
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 29
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD JOIN OUR BOARD? 10
Jonathan Whitmore | jonathan.whitmore@youthvillages.org 503-675-2206
We’ve missed connecting with you! Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 29, 2022 for a return to in-person events with Youth Villages Oregon. This funfilled evening will be a celebration for massive strides made in helping youth and families be successful.
Sha’Kyra continued
and wasn’t willing to do any mental health things for herself.” Despite a little resistance from Tonya, Sha’Kyra began the sessions, and the family didn’t miss any. The treatment helped her explore and communicate her feelings and provided her with a lot of safety planning. As the sessions continued, Sha’Kyra opened up more and shared about the events on the day of her grandfather’s passing. She also talked about the similarities and differences in the relationship with her grandmother—before and after her grandfather’s death.
BECOME A BACKPACK HERO
For her growth to take the next step, it was recommended to Sha’Kyra that she write about her feelings in a trauma narrative and read it to Tonya. Seven months into the program, she read her narrative to her grandmother. It was Sha’Kyra’s narrative that started Tonya not only believing the program was working but also seeing their relationship mending.
“After months of working with us, it opened her [Tonya’s] eyes about how helpful mental health services can be, and that grief shouldn’t be pushed down... to see how far they’ve come is really cool.” Devon Martinez Regional Supervisor Youth Villages “Sha’Kyra conquered that fear about the relationship with her grandmother,” Devon said. “Tonya listened and said, ‘I didn’t know you felt that way. Thank you for sharing.’ Tonya applied everything she had learned to sit back, listen and trust.” Home life improved, and they started communicating about things happening at home and school. In addition, Sha’Kyra received a new laptop through Backpack Heroes to assist her with virtual classes and homework. In October 2021, a month after sharing her trauma narrative, Sha’Kyra was discharged from services.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE Every child deserves a great education. They’re counting on heroes like you for that opportunity. A new backpack full of school supplies truly can have a profound impact on a child’s learning experience. You can be a Youth Villages Backpack Hero by donating backpacks filled with school supplies or making a financial contribution to support a child in your community.
youthvillages.org
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YOUTH VILLAGES
NONPROFIT ORG
PO BOX 368 Marylhurst, OR 97036
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
(Address Service Requested)
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 Oregon 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.