Youth Villages | OR Newsletter | Spring 2023

UPDATE

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In fall of 2020, we launched a $2 million campaign to double the number of youth we can reach with our evidence-informed program, LifeSet. It was thrilling to reach our goal just a few months ago with a tremendous amount of momentum from this community.

While there is much to celebrate, we recognize this funding was the first phase of an ambitious effort. The next phase involves increased public support:

• A growing commitment from the state of Oregon to invest in evidencebased programs that help youth successfully transition out of care.

• Strategic partnerships with other advocacy and provider groups to eliminate any cracks where young adults are dropping away from services.

• Expanding education and career learning opportunities, while also connecting youth and young adults to their peers.

Each of these initiatives involves you. You helped us raise the funds, and now help us keep these young adult populations at the forefront of our community. Consider writing or calling your local legislator in support of youth aging out of foster care. Volunteer at a monthly peer-to-peer skills builder for youth aging out of foster care. Join our Friend in Need email list so that we can share urgent, in-kind needs for youth and families in our programs.

We are not taking our foot off the accelerator until all youth have the tools, resources and supports they need to excel as independent adults.

OREGON ADVISORY BOARD

Charlie Swindells, Chair

Ann Mestrovich, Incoming Chair

Bill de la Cruz, Outgoing Chair

Jaquelyn Reyes Alonzo

Bethany Bounds

David Durocher

Alice Gallowaye

Ian Galloway

Sister Guadalupe Guajardo

Joan Horstkotte

Elijah Pahl

Pat Ritz

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 3,600 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?

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

Andrew Grover EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OREGON andrew.grover@youthvillages.org

503-675-2232

CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION

THE BRIDGE FROM FOSTER CARE TO ADULTHOOD

Youth Villages Oregon launched a $2 million fundraising campaign to expand our reach to youth aging out of foster care with evidence-informed LifeSet. Here’s why:

TIMELINE OF GENEROSITY

JANUARY 2023 GOAL REACHED

OCTOBER 90% raised toward $$2 million goal.

HALF OF OLDER TEENS WHO LEAVE FOSTER CARE AGE OUT VS. BEING REUNITED OR CONNECTED WITH A FAMILY.

A THIRD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME AND PLACED IN FOSTER CARE MULTIPLE TIMES.

HALF HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE OR MORE FOSTER CARE PLACEMENTS.

JANUARY

Achieved first $50,000 matching support of Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund challenge grant

A THIRD EXPERIENCED A GROUP HOME OR INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENT DURING THEIR MOST RECENT FOSTER CARE STAY.

LESS THAN A QUARTER OF YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVE SERVICES TO HELP THEM WITH EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR HOUSING.

Young people aging out of foster care have so much potential, but without family support, many transition-age foster youth struggle to meet even basic adult needs and expectations.

We believe this is a solvable problem. And so do you. You helped raise $2 million and achieve our financial support goal to provide LifeSet to more youth!

Now we focus on the next phase of this campaign: State of Oregon investments in evidence-informed programs that help youth successfully transition out of care; strategic partnerships to eliminate cracks youth fall through; education expansion and career learning opportunities for youth aging out of foster care.

Please see list of campaign donors on page 10.

DECEMBER

Launched final public phase of campaign to reach goal by year end

SEPTEMBER

Quietly launched $2 million capacity campaign to increase the number of young people we can serve with LifeSet

MAY

Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund approved a $150,000 challenge grant to support LifeSet expansion

Raised 50% of campaign goal

JAQUELYN FINDS HER VOICE THROUGH SUPPORT FROM LIFESET

Imagine traveling to another country alone. No family or friends. Next, imagine not speaking the language or knowing the culture. Not knowing what to do, where to go.

Now imagine it’s not just a trip. It’s a new place to live, to grow up. It’s a new world— literally and figuratively.

That’s what Jaquelyn faced when she immigrated to the United States as an unaccompanied minor at the age of 16. She didn’t speak English. She had no family to count on for housing. Jaquelyn didn’t know who or where to turn.

“It was really hard,” Jaquelyn said. “I didn’t feel like I had the connections and support to be successful in a different culture. There weren’t any case workers who spoke my language and could guide me through the system and be successful.”

Shortly after she arrived in the U.S., Jaquelyn went into foster care. She had two placements over her three-plus years in the system, though it never felt like home. “It was challenging for me because I was still learning a new language in a completely different culture,” Jaquelyn said.

Jaquelyn started taking steps to become more familiar with living in the U.S. and began by taking English as a Second Language classes. When the ESL classes weren’t keeping up with the pace at which she wanted to learn, Jaquelyn went to the local library and used its resources to pick up English faster.

While in care, Jaquelyn worked with her immigration lawyer and the Oregon Department of Human Services, but her plans hit roadblock after roadblock.

“I felt like there were a lot of misconceptions about what is a good kid in the foster care system, and who needs support,” Jaquelyn said. “I was seen as someone who didn’t need much support because I wasn’t a stereotypical troubled kid.”

For much of the time, Jaquelyn was bounced from caseworker to caseworker, and she never felt like anyone understood her needs. They didn’t ask her. “My social workers

Jaquelyn Reyes Alonzo, LifeSet Scholar and Oregon Advisory Board Member

changed so often that, at one point, I didn’t know who mine was. The system wasn’t set up for me to be successful,” Jaquelyn said. After unsuccessful attempts to connect with other programs, one of Jaquelyn’s caseworkers put her in touch with Youth Villages and its LifeSet program.

“At first, I didn’t have much faith in this new program,” Jaquelyn said. “I had talked with so many people before, and so often, they assumed I was doing fine, that I didn’t need more help. But I did.”

Jaquelyn entered LifeSet, and Katya was her specialist. The difference in support was immediate. It gave Jaquelyn a voice.

“Katya was a consistent person around me, which was a huge difference,” Jaquelyn said. “She challenged me and believed in me.”

LifeSet serves as a bridge to adulthood for foster youth aging out of care. The primary avenue LifeSet uses to help youth transition to adulthood is goal setting, which can take different paths from obtaining a driver’s license to getting a job or attending college. For Jaquelyn, her goal was to attend college, but she needed financial help—another obstacle in front of her goal.

“The services offered by LifeSet are important because they are youth led,” former LifeSet Supervisor Amanda Matthews said. “We try to serve as more of a mentor who can walk with

them along their journey, going with them step-by-step.”

Due to her immigration status, Jaquelyn couldn’t apply for many scholarships and loans. Although frustrated with hitting walls, Jaquelyn, with Katya’s help, kept on going. They met more often, doing exhaustive research on scholarships and assistance. Then, they got a break.

“We heard about a full-ride leadership scholarship called Act Six,” Jaquelyn said. “It’s a highly competitive scholarship. Katya helped me so much preparing for the interviews and getting me to feel good about how it was going.”

The news came in an email. “The day we were going to hear I was so nervous that I couldn’t open the email. Katya opened it and told me I got it. I was so happy.”

Once in college, Jaquelyn became a LifeSet Scholar, which helped her get a laptop for classes and a stipend. Being a LifeSet Scholar also provided Jaquelyn a leadership mentor.

“Youth Villages and LifeSet are so important,” Jaquelyn said. “I don’t think people realize all the family privileges that most people have that foster youth don’t have. Just having one adult, one mentor can literally change someone’s life outcome."

Now, Jaquelyn’s focus is on her future. The college senior, now 24, is looking to attend law school with the hope of advocating for children who need help like she did.

“Having experienced foster care as someone from a different culture, I want to help make the system better for kids,” Jaquelyn said. “These children are human beings who are being impacted. They have goals, like I did. They (children) need to be viewed through their potential. I want to be a part of changing that.”

Jaquelyn (third from left) and other LifeSet Scholars with Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler, at the Janie’s Fund 2022 GRAMMY® Viewing Party.

Dutch Bros employees from Portland & Gresham posing with school supplies they donated for Backpack Heroes in 2022.

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.

LIVING OUT VALUES THROUGH PHILANTHROPY

A CONVERSATION

WITH DANIEL HATFIELD, FOUNDER & CEO AT TECOLOGY

How did you become involved?

I was first introduced to Youth Villages when a close friend invited me to one of the nonprofit’s events where they shared about the LifeSet program and its work to help young adults in foster care safely transition to adulthood. Over the last couple of years, I have got my business involved as a corporate sponsor. Our first event was a virtual social in 2020, and then, this year, we were a presenting sponsor for the Fall Celebration and Holiday Heroes campaign. I am proud that Tecology and my staff are involved with Youth Villages, and that we can live out our values by helping this work continue.

What sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families?

Youth Villages has a clear mission: to help kids and families be successful. Working to keep kids in safe homes and supporting youth aging out of foster care as they transition into adulthood are not easy tasks. But both are vitally important to the health of our community. Youth Villages has an outstanding track record on both issues.

Why do you support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?

Tecology has always been a company that gives. It reflects who we are as individuals and as a team, and it’s how we want people to know us. We want our brand to be associated with work in the community that we’re proud of, and Youth

Villages’ mission is one that resonates strongly with our team. We’ve always believed in putting our profits where our hearts are, and getting to support this work, getting our team involved in the Holiday Heroes campaign and other volunteering efforts are reflective of that mission. For years now, we’ve redirected almost the entirety of our marketing budget to philanthropy, and we’re proud of the positive return that has had on our community and with our staff.

What would you say to encourage others to financially support Youth Villages?

There are clear gaps in services for so many young people and families that organizations like Youth Villages are actively working to fill. It is on us, as a community, to make sure we use our generosity to elevate their work. You won’t find a better investment than Youth Villages, and I know you will be just as proud to partner with them and support their work as we are.

Tecology staff at its Vancouver, Washington office for a Holiday Heroes wrapping party. Tecology was the presenting sponsor for Youth Villages Oregon’s Fall Celebration and Holiday Heroes campaign in 2022.

SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN A TANGIBLE AND MEANINGFUL WAY.

Need

When a young person or family in our programs has an urgent need that can be met through in-kind donations, we send this to the Friend in Need list.

Why is this important?

More than 90% of youth and families served by Youth Villages Oregon live at or below the federal poverty line. By joining the Oregon Friend in Need email list, you become part of a crucial safety net for young people. Life can take unexpected turns, and when a crisis hits, it can be hard to know where to look for help and, even harder, how to focus on therapeutic work. This network has provided needed technology, gas cards, groceries, baby clothes, referrals to community resources and more, keeping youth and families secure while we continue to provide excellent services and mental health support.

JULY 1, 2022 TO DECEMBER 31, 2022

OREGON CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN INNOVATOR

$100,000+

Pat and Trudy Ritz

VISIONARY

$50,000 to $99,999

Providence Health Plan

The Swigert Foundation

PILLAR

$25,000 to $49,999

James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation

Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation

OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation

Spirit Mountain Community Fund

Summer Lea Hillman Foundation

The Standard Foundation

LEADER

$10,000 to $24,999

Dutch Bros Coffee

In-N-Out Burger Foundation

Herbert A Templeton Foundation

A. Killough Foundation

Ritz Family Foundation

The Renaissance Foundation

Tecology

Wheeler Foundation

Youth Villages Oregon Employees

Our Family Campaign

PROTECTOR

$5,000 to $9,999

David and Ginny Bennett

Clark Lewis Family Foundation

Jackie Gordon

Carla Jensen

Keith Legg

Gary and Kary Myers Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation

Pete Stofle

BUILDER

$1,000 to $4,999

Leticia Acosta

Airstream Adventures Northwest

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

James Atkinson

Barran Liebman, LLP

Patricia Bradley

Churchill Foundation

Mariel and Jason Combs

Terry and David Durocher

Scott Eisenstein and Kelly Ritz-Eisenstein

Cathie Ericson

Daniel Fagan

Les and Nancy Fahey

First Tech Federal Credit Union

Hoffman Corporation

Robert and Terri Hopkins

Joan Horstkotte

Scott and Teresa Learn

Anita and Gerald Lindsay

Elizabeth and Jesse Milan

Nancy Horstkotte Memorial Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

Northwest Natural R&H Construction

Steven Reinisch

Marcus and Samantha Santangelo

Brian Shipley

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld

Family Foundation

Kenneth Thrasher

Mike and Kay Wells

Windermere Foundation

Amy Worth

Lynzie and Marco Zawadzki

MONTHLY CHAMPIONS

Andrea Barney

Jennifer Cadiente

Sarah and Steven Cantor

Candace Elliott

Nicole and Ian Galloway

Charie Gonzales

Sarah Levine

Rachel Parrott

Fred Roach

Christine and Colby Schlicker

Robin van der Hoest

Daniel Whitmore

LIFESET CAPACITY CAMPAIGN

LEADERSHIP DONORS

David and Ginny Bennett

Patricia Bradley

Mariel Combs and Jason Yamamoto

Duncan and Cynthia Campbell Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

Terry and David Durocher

Les and Nancy Fahey

John Graeter

Byron and Cynthia Grant

Tasca and Paul Gulick

Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation

Summer Lea Hillman Foundation

Joan Horstkotte

A. Killough Foundation

Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund

Oregon Community Foundation

Providence Health Plan

Steven Reinisch

The Renaissance Foundation

Pat and Trudy Ritz

Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld Family Foundation

The Swigert Foundation

Darci and Charles Swindells

Marta and Ken Thrasher

OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation

YOUTH VILLAGES

PO BOX 368

Marylhurst, OR 97036

(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.