Jon Wright, Chair
Desiree Allen
Alex Boggs
Preston Butts
Matthew Gabriel
John Goode
Ruby Hancock
Thomas Holmes
John Paul Kavin
Arianna Poindexter
Leslie Tate
Chris Vescovo
Angie Ware
Springtime always seems to come at the perfect moment. The need for more sunshine, green trees and flowers seems overdue after the winter. My favorite thing to see as I drive onto our campuses is our kids being kids. They love being able to run around on our playgrounds, play basketball or run around the track or lake.
Spring allows us time to re-energize after the busy months that the fall and winter bring. We love being able to work so diligently with you—our donors, supporters and volunteers—over those months. Because of you, we can meet the needs of the more than 6,000 kids we serve here in West Tennessee every year.
In this issue of New Heights, we highlight Caiden, one of the incredible kids we are serving in Intercept®; celebrate our 40th annual YV5K; introduce you to an incredible couple who have invested in our work for more than 20 years; and put a spotlight on the 2022 Holiday Heroes campaign.
I hope spring allows you time to reflect on your why—why you chose to invest and be involved with Youth Villages—and I would love to learn about it. We are grateful for your support. Thank you for helping us ensure kids and families in our community have the resources they need to achieve success.
Mike Bruns, Board Chair
William (Bill) T. Giles, Vice Chair
Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Secretary
Gerald Laurain, Treasurer
Patrick Lawler, CEO
Mark Allen
Jes Averhart
Fred Burns
Jennifer Bush
Amy Crate
Candace
Steele Flippin
Chris Hunter
Johnny Pitts
Elizabeth Rose
Gary Shorb
Rev. Rufus Smith
Matthew Tarkenton
David Tyler
Darryl “Chip” Wade
Monica Wharton
WEST TENNESSEE
katie.jones@youthvillages.org
901-251-4813
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Running is often considered a means of improving one’s physical well-being, but for thousands of Youth Villages supporters, it has become a way of giving back.
This past October, more than 1,100 people, including Youth Villages kids, employees, family and friends hit the pavement to celebrate 40 years of the YV5K.
This race has been a staple in the Memphis community as the “longest-running” 5K in the region. For four decades, the YV5K has allowed champions for children and families to run for a purpose greater than themselves.
Many events like the YV5K run out of steam after a few years. However, Amy Linthicum, the race’s founder, and Meribeth LaBarreare, a longtime committee member, said the race is not only moving along but speeding up with each year. The reason? “When you have a passion for it, it’s not hard to keep it going,” said LaBarreare, who joined the YV5K committee when she moved to Memphis in 1987.
Now 40 years later, the YV5K has had a profound impact on not just the youth in our care but also on the services we provide. The race has raised funds for many projects on our residential campuses, including the running track on our Dogwood campus
and the construction of the school on our Bartlett campus. Since its start, the YV5K has raised more than $2.3 million.
Together in 2022, the YV5K presented by MAAR, raised more than $91,000 for thousands of children and families in West Tennessee. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, participants and volunteers for making this year's race one to remember!
SAVE THE DATE!
THE 41ST ANNUAL YV5K RACE HAS BEEN SET FOR NOVEMBER 11, 2023
Many children in our care have had to overcome trauma and heartache that the average person—child or adult—simply could not imagine. To bring some cheer into their lives near the end of the year, Youth Villages holds its annual Holiday Heroes campaign presented by Strategic Online Systems. There is nothing better than seeing ear-to-ear smiles on children’s faces as they unwrap their presents. For some, this is their very first time experiencing such joy or just having something to look forward to. Being able to witness a kid being a kid during this season is what makes Holiday Heroes so special. Through our 2022 Holiday Heroes campaign, our selfless supporters raised more than $68,000 and fulfilled gifts for 1,283 children in Youth Villages’ care throughout West Tennessee. With your continued support, we are bringing joy to the children in our care year after year.
Youth Villages could not have done this without the help of our donors. We are grateful for every organization and every shopper that gave to our Holiday Heroes campaign. One of those organizations is Weather Geeks, an organization run by 16-year-old Cameron Kuykindall. Weather Geeks partnered with Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church and Middle College High School to collect toys and donations for our Holiday Heroes campaign. With Cameron’s hard work, Weather Geeks raised more than $2,000 for Holiday Heroes that provided holiday gifts to many kids in our community. “Youth Villages is a light in our community and is right here in Memphis,” said Cameron, when asked why he chose to support Youth Villages.
TOP: Littler Mendelson Holiday Heroes Wrapping Party. MIDDLE: Memphis Pride Showcase – LifeSet™ Scholar Abby and her specialist Claudia came to thank Memphis Pride Allstars for their support of Holiday Heroes. BOTTOM – Mt. Olive Toy Drive (left
Acts of service from local businesses are appreciated just as much as monetary donations. Desiree Allen, founder of nonprofit “She’s A Victor,” partnered with Texture Studio in Cordova to sponsor a spa day for the young ladies of Youth Villages’ Janie’s House. The young ladies received a day of full service from the staff, including haircuts, braids, manicures and a fully stocked hot chocolate bar. This gave them the opportunity to arrive at their Holiday Heroes party in style!
Whether it is opening gifts, attending a Holiday Heroes party or receiving generous acts of service, our kids will remember these moments forever. These positive memories could not have been possible without your support. It is incredibly fulfilling to see children and young adults experience the joy that everyone deserves.
PRESENTED BY
BARTLETT AREA CHAMBER
BEALE STREET CORVETTE ASSN.
CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
CTD STAFFING, LLC
CUMMINS®
DATA FACTS
ER2
EVOLVE BANK & TRUST
THE EYE CENTER
HUEY’S®
IREM®
LITTLER®
LPI -MEMPHIS
LRK
MCDONALD’S® - JEFFERS AND BLASZCZYK FAMILIES
MEMPHIS PARKS
MEMPHIS PRIDE
NIKE®
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS℠
SIGNET
SOUTHERN SECURITY
TICKET TO DREAM FOUNDATION
TRIUMPH AUTO SALES
THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
WEATHER GEEKS OF MEMPHIS
What do you think sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families?
They have been recognized as the nation’s most promising, resultsoriented nonprofit. If you track the organization’s success rate and the many programs it offers, it’s impressive. Youth Villages keeps coming up with new ways to help children and their families.
Why do you personally support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, he GAVE.” He made the ultimate sacrifice so we should ALL do our part, whether it is giving our time, talent or resources. We also love kids. The children of Youth Villages are not at fault in most cases. They were dealt a bad hand and need direction to lead a successful life. We are all God’s children, so my wife and I feel it is very important to help God’s kids and families who have been less fortunate to have a chance at success.
DANNY AND CHRISTY LEE HAVE SUPPORTED YOUTH VILLAGES FOR MORE THAN 26 YEARS
How did you become involved with Youth Villages?
Youth Villages started out as a customer back in 2001. The more I read through its newsletter and email publications, I was impressed. I was invited to attend its annual employee conference, which was a great experience to see the success rates of all the programs.
Why should someone consider becoming more involved with Youth Villages?
To help children and families in need of direction. One good act of kindness could change someone’s life. It is better to give than receive. Most who will read this have been given a chance in life or have been shown kindness which helped them along the way. It could be you. If you donate either your time, talent or resources to Youth Villages, you can change a child’s and/or family’s lives. The outcomes will bear much fruit.
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.
Caiden’s Intercept specialist incorporated Caiden’s love of art and sculpting into their sessions to help Caiden feel more comfortable with opening up.
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 state told Jade about Youth Villages’ intensive in-home services program, Intercept. They shared that 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.”
The state 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 the state agreed to place her children back in
Jade and her son, Caiden, are grateful to Intercept for bringing their family back together.
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.”
JULY 1, 2022 TO DECEMBER 31, 2022
$100,000+
Anonymous
Crews Family Foundation
FedEx Corporation
Plough Foundation
The Rose Foundation
Speer Charitable Trust
Youth Villages
Employee Giving
$50,000 to $99,999
F & F Construction
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Lackie
Mr. and Mrs. M. Kevin McEniry
$25,000 to $49,999
Institute of Real Estate Management Memphis Chapter
TJX Foundation Inc.
$10,000 to $24,999
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Bill and Amy Rhodes
Bill and Jill Giles
City Auto Sales, LLC
City of Bartlett
DEPCOM Power
Johnny and Kim Pitts
Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance, LLC
Lonestar Freight Liner Group, LLC.
DBA Lonestar Truck Group
Mr. and Mrs. D. Bryan Jordan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Allen
Mr. and Mrs. Myron Mall
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin
Mr. David Jordan
Mr. John Forbis
Radians, Inc.
Southern Security Federal
Credit Union
Strategic Online Systems
Ticket to Dream Foundation
$5,000 to $9,999
America's Local Independent Charities of America
Anonymous Donor
Campbell Clinic Foundation
CTD Staffing, LLC.
Mark and Kay Prudhomme
Memphis Pride Allstar, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Foster
Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson
Mr. Rick Bowers
Mr. Wyeth Greene and Dr. Melody Greene
Mrs. Ann Vining
Pinnacle Bank
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Terminix Rentokil North America
Watkins Uiberall, PLLC
$1,000 to $4,999
Agilix Solutions LLC
Alison and Jim Barton, Jr.
Amazon Smile
Amfas International, Inc.
Beale Street
Corvette Association
Cannon Chiropractic PLLC
CarMax Foundation
Christian Brothers High School
Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.
Delta Asset Management, LLC
Doris and Charlie Pleas III
Dr. and Mrs. E. Arthur Franklin
Emile Borne
Eternal Housing Fund
Eutopia Salon
Evolve Bank
Facebook Donor
Gary Shorb
Idalia Roth Charitable Trust
International Paper Corporation
James Sieben
Jeffers Enterprises, Inc.
John Clark
Judge and Mrs. Robert Childers
Keller Williams Realty
Kiosha Westbrook
Lewis Thomason
Charitable Giving, Inc.
Littler Mendelson, PC
Memphis British Sports Car Club LTD.
Mercer Family Charitable Fund
Mohanad Salim
Mr. and Mrs. Danny Lee
Mr. and Mrs. David Newsom
Mr. and Mrs. Deborah Bookas
Mr. and Mrs. James Hinson
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Smith
Mr. and Mrs. John Linthicum
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Pennington
Mr. and Mrs. Logan Meeks
$500 to $999
Agri-Sales Associates, Inc.
Ann and Jeff Upp
Artisan Custom Homes
ATC Fitness of Bartlett, Inc.
Carmel Verrier
Cortney Young
Crye-Leike Realtors – Mississippi
Duncan Williams Asset Management
Fast Track Realty
FedEx Express
Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce
Henry Williamson
Henry Wynn
Kent and Tamarah Anderson
La Coneccion N/A
Laurmar Group Inc.
Lendermon Sports Medicine, LLC
Mahdi Mohammad
Monte Barrow
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Boggs
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Clements
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Stark
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Waddell
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Steepleton
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Schultz
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lavelle
Mr. Andrew Gibbs
Mr. Bruce Nix
Mr. Charles Carpenter
Mr. Christopher McLemore
Mr. Harry Freeman and Ms. Sara Ratner
Mr. John Price (Horizon of Memphis)
Mr. Jonathan Hackmeyer
Mr. Kevin Graham
Mr. Larry Levingston
Mr. Lee McWaters
Mr. Nathaniel Landau
Mr. Spencer Fullen
Mr. Terry Brimhall
Mrs. Carol Prentiss
Mrs. Estelle Sheahan
Mrs. Jacqueline Cowden
Mrs. Monica W. Jordan
Ms. Mary Swafford
Ms. Monica Wharton
Ms. Natalie Garnett
Ms. Rachel McKinley
Ms. Vickie Walp
Road Runners Club of America
Sunmed Natural Healing of Memphis Inc
The Goddard Foundation
Triumph Auto Sales
VMLY&R Foundation
Walmart #5043
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Pietrangelo
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Groves
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Guizlo
Mr. and Mrs. Sid Phadke
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Simpson
Mr. Carl Barton
Mr. Chris Evans
Mr. David Lotz
Mr. Gordon Bryan
Mr. Jason Gallop
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Shaner
Mr. Lawrence Magdovitz
Mr. Michael Swain
Mr. Richard P. Shaw
Mrs. Dabney Wellford
Mrs. Deborah Hester
Champions continues on page 12
Champions continued
Mrs. Kelly Athow
Mrs. Toni Norcross
Ms. Anne Nesta
Ms. Joyce Sealand
Ms. Linda Payne
Ms. Tamika Dearman
Ms. Wanda Harness
Offspring Solutions LLC
Pfizer, Inc.
Realty Title and Escrow Co., Inc.
Sammy Elkhayyat
Sarah Hurley
The UPS Store – Cordova
The Walter Goga Fund
United Way of the Mid-South UPS Store #0614
Women's Council of Realtors
Yazan Afaneh
Bill Lawler
Mevin Key
Carey James Crye-Leike South, Inc.
David Ferguson
Mr. and Mrs. James Hinson
David Goode
Mr. and Mrs. James Hinson
Jack A. Price
Susan Miller
John C. Marshall, JR
Ms. Alison Wetter
Nancy Shellenberger
Celebrating the partnership we have with Southern Security Federal Credit Union.
Kevin Key
Mr. and Mrs. James Hinson
Robert Atchison
Lynn Coleman Frierson
Johnson City Woman’s Club
Ms. Betty Robinson
Ruth Ann Rowland
Yvonne Drown
Bill’s Place Staff
Jacqueline and Charles Cowden
Chris Vescovo
Donna Parker
David Patrick
Amy Moritz
David Reaves
Leadership Germantown Alumni Association
Dax Ireland
Jeff and Sara Ireland
Donna Kidwell
Kim Kidwell
Eddy and Patty Hatcher
Lady B’s
Garry Kubel Lady B’s
James Andrew Dabney
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stevens
Lisa Copeland
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robeson
Marla and Pat Steepleton
Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Beckwith, III
Mark Allen
Lee Bowman
Mike and Marian Bruns
Mr. Patrick Hampton
Warren & Tammy Davis
Pat Lawler
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Williams
Paul Ireland
Mr. James Holland
Robert and Judy Dawson
Mr. David Dawson
Servando Mireles
Tucker Brock
Stephen Moritz
Lady B’s
The Horton Family Lady B’s
The Lambert Family
Lady B’s
WEST TENNESSEE BY THE NUMBERS FY22
THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL SOUP SUNDAY!
6,418 CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS SERVED
87% AT HOME (WITH FAMILY OR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY)
85% NO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW 86% IN SCHOOL OR GRADUATED
WITH YOUR HELP
WE RAISED MORE THAN $70,000
THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.
Mentor, foster, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the hundreds of children, families and young people we help every day in West Tennessee.
Katie Jones, Director of Development 3320 Brother Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38133 katie.jones@youthvillages.org | 901-251-4813
1. GIVE A ONE-TIME OR MONTHLY GIFT ONLINE AT YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG/DONATE Select West Tennessee under the “Donate To” question.
2. SEND A CHECK IN THE ENVELOPE INCLUDED OR MAIL TO: Youth Villages, Attn: Katie Jones, Director of Development
3. RECOMMEND A GRANT FROM YOUR DONOR-ADVISED FUND THROUGH YOUR FUND ADMINISTRATOR
When granting through your DAF, use this information: Tax ID: 62-1652079 Contact Katie Jones once the gift has been made.
4. GIVE A GIFT OF STOCK Reach out to Katie Jones to receive these instructions.
3320 Brother Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38133
(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.