Youth Villages | MA Newsletter | Spring 2023

CAIDEN’S STORY

CAIDEN’S MOM, JADE, FINDS SUPPORT AND HOPE THROUGH YOUTH VILLAGES

New HEIGHTS

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• INTERCEPT ® EARNS NATIONAL ATTENTION

• EMELY FINDS EVEN MORE SUCCESS

• DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

JENNIFER MULDOON, SBLI

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD CHAIR

On behalf of the Youth Villages Board of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, I want to send a warm welcome to you and yours. Spring brings a time of reflection and is a time of year when I tend to focus on growth opportunities and development. In my role as Board Chair, I look at it from the perspective of: “Where has Youth Villages been and where are we going?”

In FY22, Youth Villages helped 2,309 children, families and young adults through the LifeSet™ and Intercept® programs. However, the need for these evidence-based programs in the Commonwealth and state of New Hampshire continues to rise. This year, we saw a 24% increase in demand for our LifeSet and Intercept services. Youth Villages needs your help to impact the lives of more young people.

I invite you to join us as we kick off The Force for Young People Campaign to raise $16.2 million over the next three years for our LifeSet program. With your help, we can give more young adults access to the life-changing services of LifeSet. These young adults don’t have a consistent support system to rely on, and YOU can help by giving them the gift of a good start. Be a force for young people and give today at youthvillages.org/forceforyoungpeople.

On behalf of the Youth Villages of Massachusetts and New Hampshire Board, thank you for your commitment to the Youth Villages mission.

Massachusetts & New Hampshire Advisory Board

Amanda Eisel, Chair

Peter Campanella

Amy Crate

Ryan Hayden

Joanna Jacobson

Beth Klarman

Fran Lawler

Kristen Lucken

Pamela Giasson Lynch

Yvette Lowenthal

Mark O’Donnell

Malisa Schuyler

Marc Sorel

Wendy Vincent

Pramila Yadav, MD

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.

How are we doing?

Amanda Eisel

BOARD CHAIR

YOUTH VILLAGES MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE

We’d love to hear feedback from you, so we can continue to improve and give you content you enjoy.

Use this QR code to complete our survey.

SUPPORT FROM YOUTH VILLAGES STAFF

The Our Family Campaign (OFC) is Youth Villages’ annual employee giving program, which serves as an internal resource for supporting the Youth Villages staff, children and families, as well as LifeSet young adults. For more than 20 years, OFC has given staff the opportunity to give back to our mission.

Every September, Youth Villages launches an organization-wide call to employees for donations to OFC. Here, the staff are given the opportunity to support their fellow peers in times of need, as well as the families and young adults with whom they work.

Some of the ways in which OFC campaign funds are used throughout the year are for staff and individuals in our LifeSet program who are leaving domestic violence situations, need support to cover medical bills and assistance for individuals affected by natural disasters and other crises.

“My first thought was, ‘Why me? Why my family?’. But it could not have come at a better time. We used those funds to help my family buy special thickeners for my son’s bottles, gas to get to his appointments, parking at the hospital when we stayed there for days, as well as formula, diapers and meals during those long days. I didn’t realize how much we needed that help at the time and to not to have to worry about all that meant so much to me and my family.”

– Coryn R., Recruiting Supervisor, Woburn, MA

When a fire destroyed an employee’s kitchen, OFC funds were used to help replace ruined appliances. When a

staff member’s son was faced with unanticipated health issues upon birth, OFC funds were used to help lessen the financial burden.

The challenges of the past few years have not only caused significant difficulties for many of the youth and families we serve, but also for members of our staff and their families. This year, employees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire contributed more than $125,000 to help support their co-workers and LifeSet participants. Nationally, across the organization, OFC raised more than $1.4 million this year! We are so grateful to all our incredible staff and their commitment to the Youth Villages family and mission.

Want to see what this year’s incredible Spring Celebration has in store? There’s still time to get your tickets. Join us on May 4 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. Visit youthvillages.org/ springcelebration to get your tickets today.

With the support of LifeSet, Emely is thriving.

Emely finds even more success

With Spring Celebration just around the corner, we wanted to look back at last year’s incredible featured speaker, Emely. This time last year, Emely was in LifeSet, had just started a full-time job and was close to becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college. Emely reached so many milestones in LifeSet, but she was just getting started. We are thrilled to share an update on Emely, where she is today and the new accomplishments she is celebrating.

When you met Emely, she was living in a multi-family home where she had experienced years of abuse. With the help of LifeSet, she was working hard to change her circumstances and get herself on a better, more fulfilling path. Last May, Emely graduated from a two-year program at North Shore Community College and is now in her second semester at Salem State University studying international business. She was accepted into the Youth Villages LifeSet Scholars program, which means she will have support from Youth Villages throughout her entire college career.

Today, Emely is thriving. She has moved out of her traumatic living situation and into her own dorm room. Emely continues to sing and perform at her family’s church services and recently took a trip to the Dominican Republic. Emely finally feels like she has a firm grip on her future and is determined to live her best life. We can’t wait to see what’s next for her!

How did SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance) get involved with Youth Villages?

Strengthening our community is very important to me and SBLI. Youth Villages provides services to the most critically impacted families, children and young adults in our area, across New England and through their national programs, making our partnership a great fit.

Following a personal connection, I reached out to Youth Villages and we realized great opportunities for SBLI to partner with them.

SBLI: HIGHLIGHTING PARTNERSHIP

JENNIFER MULDOON, SVP HUMAN RESOURCES

What is the inspiration to continue supporting Youth Villages?

SBLI and Youth Villages are very much aligned in our missions to support our community and improve the lives of families, children and young adults. Our employees connect both emotionally and personally with the families that Youth Villages serves. They are genuinely excited and motivated to get involved with projects and events.

How has your experience and involvement with Youth Villages taken shape over the years?

Backpack Heroes was the first event we started with. In the beginning, my team would collect supplies and drive them over to the Youth Villages offices in our company van. Over the years, our partnership has expanded.

This holiday season, we offered the Youth Villages team use of our auditorium during the Holiday Heroes campaign. It was such a joy to see the space overflowing with generous gifts from donors, and our employees had a wonderful time volunteering at packing and sorting events.

What do you want people to know about SBLI’s involvement with Youth Villages?

Since 1907, SBLI’s mission has been to support and protect our policyholders and their families through easy, lowcost life insurance. And like Youth Villages, we want to make a positive impact in our community.

We are strongly committed to furthering the well-being of those in need and so glad to partner with an organization dedicated to doing the same. We are excited to continue our partnership into the future.

SBLI staff and family members came together on a Saturday to volunteer for Holiday Heroes.

Jennifer Muldoon, SBLI

Caiden’s Intercept specialist incorporated Caiden’s love of art and sculpting into their sessions to help Caiden feel more comfortable with opening up.

CAIDEN’S STORY

On a rainy spring day, an Intercept specialist received a voicemail from Jade, a 23-year-old mother whose son, Caiden, was in our

“Thank you so much for coming here today and always supporting me through this whole thing. I told my case worker that even when our case closes, I 100% recommend you for other families where parents are in addiction. I truly believe if it wasn’t for you, I would not be getting my kids back. I am so truly thankful for Youth Villages, and there has been

a complete change from when we started working with you to now. You gave my family a chance. I appreciate you very much!”

Jade had Caiden when she was 16 years old and struggling with addiction. She was homeless and unemployed and could not take care of her child. Caiden was placed with his grandmother. Over the next few years, Jade was in and out of rehab and had two more children, who also were placed with their grandmother. Determined to become the best mother she could, Jade was ready to take the necessary steps to get her children back. The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) told Jade about Youth Villages’ intensive in-home services program, Intercept. DCYF shared this program

would help stabilize her children in their grandmother’s home while also helping Jade with her goals and regaining custody of her kids.

“I thought Youth Villages was just going to be another headache,” Jade said. “I was told they were very strict; services were intensive, and they would see us more frequently. I didn’t want to work with them. But I wanted my kids back, so I was willing to give it a chance.”

DCYF gave Jade one year to complete an extensive list of things to accomplish before they would consider reuniting her with her children. Jade worked hard to become and stay sober, find a job and secure a place to live.

Jade made incredible progress through the Intercept program, and DCYF

Jade and her son, Caiden, are grateful to Intercept for bringing their family back together.

agreed to place her children back in her care. Jade was nervous to have all three of her children in her home for the first time, but Youth Villages continued to work closely with the family even after they came home. Their Intercept specialist worked with Caiden on his mental health struggles, including ADHD, and made sure he had the proper support both at home and at school. They worked with Jade on how to safely and calmly deescalate difficult situations among the children and getting everyone into a regular routine. Youth Villages made sure the family had all the essential items and resources they needed to ensure success and even provided tips on how to organize their new home and prevent clutter.

The Youth Villages team says Caiden and his siblings are incredibly happy to be home with their mom. They love spending time playing outside as a family and every day, they go to bed excited about what the next day will bring.

“Everyone at Youth Villages is so caring,” Jade said. “[The team] puts so much into their jobs. They care about us, and I truly love them.”

A NEW ‘LINE’ OF HOPE, HELP

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the often-stigmatized topic and to educate others on the warning signs and how to get help. People, young and old, can be saved with knowledge and intervention.

Recent studies, though, show the U.S. still has a long way to go in this area. Reports reveal the declining mental health of the population in the United States, especially among children and teenagers. According to the Census Bureau, over two-thirds of Americans live in areas lacking mental health professionals. In addition, four in five teens who attempt suicide gave clear warning signs according to The Jason Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing youth suicide.

While warning signs are evident, family and friends may not know the direction to take—or number to call—to get help and care. Now, the way to access help for those struggling with mental health challenges has been made simpler.

In the summer of 2020, the U.S. began transitioning from its 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number to 988 to call or text for around-the-clock crisis care. By July 16, 2022, all telephone service and text providers were required by law to activate the 988 number.

“It was federally recognized that there was a need for people to more easily access services when experiencing a crisis and that led to 988 being rolled out on a federal level,” said Raquel Shutze, program director for Youth Villages Specialized Crisis Services.

Once a call or text is made, the individual is connected to a call center with crisis professionals who can assist and provide intervention at whatever level is needed. According to Shutze, the calls and texts—at times—are passed to a mobile crisis provider in the area.

The 988 number provides an access point for care no matter where the individual is in the U.S.

“The 988 number gives us a universal language across the country as a way to access help when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, much like 911 is used for emergency services,” said Brittany Farrar, regional director for Middle Tennessee programs. “If someone is in a different state from where they live, they don’t have to look up a local or state crisis number. Instead, 988 gives them an access point that no matter where they are in the United States.”

The 988 number is gaining traction in the U.S., as more are using it as a first step for mental health care. In turn, the increase in 988 calls brings in a Youth Villages community-based program—Intercept—that, according to Farrar, helps those in midst of a crisis to remain safe and stable in their home and community.

“It’s important that, as we increase those entry points to reach help, we also have more accessible community-based services like Intercept that are proven effective to work with this population,” Farrar said.

Check out the Youth Villages social media accounts in May for more about Mental Health Awareness Month.

After three days of waiting in the hospital, Intercept for Emergency Diversion took Haley home and gave her the treatment she desperately needed.

INTERCEPT PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL ATTENTION

The Youth Villages of Massachusetts Intercept for Emergency Diversion program gained national media coverage earlier this year from National Public Radio (NPR).

Due to the lack of available psychiatric beds, thousands of youth struggling with mental health issues are forced to wait in hospital emergency rooms. Only four agencies offer an alternative to inpatient psychiatric care in Boston, including Youth Villages.

Twelve-year-old Haley faced a similar challenge. When her mother, Carmen, woke up at 2 a.m. to find Haley missing from her bed, she knew her daughter was in danger. Haley had been engaging in risky behaviors and was sneaking out of the house at night. Her inappropriate use of social media and past suicidal ideation due to bullying at school had Carmen very concerned for Haley’s safety.

Once she located Haley, she drove her to the nearest hospital emergency department, where Haley spent the next three days on a gurney in a hallway, waiting for treatment. A caseworker at UMass Memorial Medical Center contacted Youth Villages, and Haley’s family met with a supervisor in the emergency department. Once Haley was admitted to the Youth Villages Intercept program, treatment started immediately. Haley’s specialist went to the family’s home and conducted

safety sweeps and provided counseling for the whole family. Haley was able to be treated at home and met with her specialist three times a week to work on coping skills, emotional regulation and online safety.

“Among the 536 children and teens who’ve opted to try home-based counseling instead of psychiatric hospitalization in Massachusetts, 82% have not returned to an ER with a mental health concern,” Martha Bebinger of WBUR/ NPR said.

Studies have shown a great deal of success in keeping the youth in their environment, amongst peers and with family. Since being admitted, Haley has made tremendous progress. She can now set boundaries and successfully regulate her anger in times of distress. We were honored to be highlighted on NPR!

MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

LEADER

$100,000+

$10,000 to $24,999

Fran Lawler

Lovett-Woodsum Foundation

Yvette Lowenthal

Jessica and Josh Lutzker

Kristin and Paul Marcus

Amanda Eisel and John Becker

Karen and Bob Forlenza

Jason Hayes Foundation

Hemenway & Barnes LLP

In Memory of Maureen Hern

Nutter, McClennen & Fish LLP

SBLI

Jill and Michael Stansky

Jennifer and Seth Stier

Egil Croff

Dalio Education

Herbert Dike

Havas Media

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals

Janice and Ralph James

Pamela and Tom Lynch

MFS

Jenny Mak and Rob Swartz

$50,000 to $99,999

Sandy and Paul Edgerley

$25,000 to $49,999

Peter Mulderry PROTECTOR

$5,000 to $9,999

Anonymous

Anonymous

CarGurus

Cogan Family Foundation

Jacqueline Corbelli

Cummings Foundation

BUILDER

$1,000 to $4,999

Anonymous

Arnold Worldwide

The Boston Foundation

The Ronald G. Casty Family Foundation Convertiv

Monna and Ajay Nanavati

Matthew Seed

Sentinel Group

Siena Engineer Group

Wilson Sonsini

Mari Taylor and Tony Drenzek

Pam and Ben Watkins

Pramila Yadav, MD

Youth Villages Leadership Council

Intercept for Emergency Diversion was started in March 2021 to prevent long waits in emergency departments for mental health treatment. Almost 90% of Youth Villages diversion families have not re-entered the hospital after receiving our in-home services.

LAST CALL FOR TICKETS

There are many ways that you and your company or organization can get involved. Become a volunteer, host a drive at your office, attend an event, join our Leadership Council or sponsor a young person through Backpack Heroes. Your support will directly impact the hundreds of young people we serve every day in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

YOUTH VILLAGES

12 Gill Street, Suite 5800

Woburn, MA 01801

(Address Service Requested)

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: Little Rock, Searcy, West Memphis

Florida: Lakeland

Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville

Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis

Louisiana: Metairie

Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville/Jeffersonville (Indiana)

Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, Raynham, West Springfield, 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.