UPDATE
FROM YOUTH VILLAGES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I am constantly inspired by the generosity and commitment of donors like you, and the incredible impact you have on our young people and their families.
At Youth Villages, we understand the challenges faced by families and young adults are everevolving, especially in the current economic climate. Our mission is to support them in their times of need, ensuring they have access to resources that will help them thrive.
One key way we achieve this is through partnerships, where together, we provide essential items such as clothing, school supplies, holiday presents and personal care products to our youth. These resources are more than physical necessities. They are tools that empower young people to attend school confidently or engage socially, laying the foundation for a brighter future.
Your support is instrumental in making these partnerships possible. By joining forces with us, you directly contribute to the well-being and success of countless young individuals. You are helping alleviate the stress and financial strain on families, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: building a stable and hopeful future.
We invite you to continue being a driving force for change through initiatives such as Backpack Heroes, where we distributed nearly 600 backpacks across the region, and the upcoming annual Holiday Heroes campaign. Together, we can ensure every young person can “just be a kid,” no matter the obstacles they face.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for empowering young lives to create lasting, positive change in our community.
Matt Stone
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
YOUTH VILLAGES NEW ENGLAND matthew.stone@youthvillages.org 781-937-7917
New England Advisory Board
Amanda Eisel, Chair
Peter Campanella
Ryan Hayden
Fran Lawler
Kristen Lucken
Pamela Giasson Lynch
Amanda Clark MacMullan
Malisa Schuyler
Marc Sorel
Pramila Yadav, MD
Youth Villages is a national leader in mental and behavioral health committed to finding the most effective solutions to help children, families and young adults overcome obstacles and live successfully. Working through direct services, partnerships with innovative public agencies and advocacy, we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare, children’s mental health and justice systems. Our 4,500 employees serve more than 43,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 27 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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EMPOWERING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Youth Villages and CarGurus create a perfect partnership.
Jennifer Sherry, a long-time partner of Youth Villages, is not only an individual contributor but has also encouraged her employers to partner with Youth Villages. When Jennifer joined CarGurus in 2022, she was excited to share the mission of Youth Villages with a brand-new team of supporters. With Jennifer’s inspiration, a partnership between CarGurus and Youth Villages was established.
CarGurus believes in their mission to “give people the power to reach their destination.” Despite being in the automotive industry, the underlying message is the same as Youth Villages’, which is to help children and families live successfully.
This perfect alignment has made for a successful partnership to help children, families and young adults in our local communities reach their destination and thrive. Like any strong partner, CarGurus came into the mix with a can-do attitude of “what’s next and how can we help?”
Since coming on board in 2022, they have supported campaigns such as Holiday Heroes and Backpack Heroes. This past December, one employee rolled up in his truck delivering gifts to fulfill the 51 wish lists sponsored by the CarGurus staff. Giving back comes in all forms, and CarGurus and their staff have truly embraced philanthropy on all levels from in-kind gifts to their Gurus Gives Back matching donation program. This has allowed Youth Villages’ programming to support more
young people in gaining independent living skills.
Through the many ways CarGurus is involved, they are creating long-term change for youth. Their generosity has a direct impact on how a youth greets the new school year sporting their new backpack with hope and confidence. Their philanthropy contributes to a homeless young adult getting services through LifeSet™ and, by working with their specialist, reaching their goal of getting an apartment — a goal they never thought was possible.
CarGurus is committed to being a force behind supporting young people and families across the Northeast. CarGurus and their staff play a critical role in supporting Youth Villages’ initiatives and funding the organization’s ability to serve more youth. It takes a village, and we’re delighted to have CarGurus as a critical member of the Youth Villages family.
A Piece Piece of the Puzzle Puzzle
Intercept Program gives Jay a voice.
For a long time, Stacy had worried her 12-year-old son, Jay, would be removed from her home. Despite Jay being very social, active among his peer group and good at engaging with other kids his age, he was often physically aggressive at home, struggled with substance use, general delinquency and was destroying items in his home.
Jay struggled daily to regulate his emotions. As Stacy watched his dysregulation progress, she also watched her family deteriorate. Although the family had multiple providers in place to help, Stacy felt none were making progress.
When Stacy and Jay were enrolled in the Youth Villages intensive in-home services program, Intercept, the first thing Jay’s clinical supervisor, Roberto, did was create a safety plan for his aggression. He taught the family the ‘exit and wait’ strategy which helps families identify their child’s triggers and warning signs before they become dysregulated so caregivers can intervene proactively and empower him to take space to self-regulate. The exit and wait strategy also is family focused so Stacy; his father, Jay Sr.; and his sister all participated in planning and identifying their warning signs, triggers and safe spaces.
As the family learned to employ their safety plan, they recognized although they could now successfully prevent Jay’s escalations, they were struggling to communicate about problems as a family. Family Intervention Specialist Melissa worked with the family on Collaborative Problem Solving, a strategy that focuses on building skills like flexibility, frustration tolerance and problem solving. They made a concentrated effort to discuss their concerns with Jay and provide him with a voice when they discussed incidents. They included him in the planning when they felt he needed appropriate consequences. Jay responded incredibly well to this. Feeling like his parents finally gave him the voice he was missing, Jay learned to appropriately speak up and share his concerns in an effective way.
“Youth Villages has been the missing piece of the puzzle to our family,” Stacy said. “They have brought us more happiness in the last month of working with them than I ever could have imagined.”
Since participating in the Intercept
program, Jay has not had one incidence of physical aggression, and the family collectively has a better understanding of everyone’s needs and concerns.
“They gave us the tools we needed to help our son,” Stacy said.
Stacy has been fighting and advocating to get Jay the help and support he needed since he was 5 years old and was relieved when she was offered Youth Villages services. Stacy felt that having someone who would see Jay in his home, in his own environment and on his schedule, was critical to his success.
“Without Youth Villages our lives would be chaotic,” Stacy said. “Youth Villages kept my son in the home.”
When Stacy dreams of Jay’s future, she hopes for him to graduate from high school and become a productive part of society. She wants him to have friends and spread positivity and kindness everywhere he goes. After working with Youth Villages, Stacy finally sees this as a possibility.
Jay (far left) and his parents discuss his progress at school with his family intervention specialist and supervisor.
Each year in Massachusetts, about 800 youth age out of foster care. Currently 2,100 young adults, ages 18-22, have voluntarily re-entered the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
As a result, the state faces a significant need for evidencebased, community-based services like the LifeSet program to help these young individuals reach their full potential. Young individuals like Mamie, who at 22 years old has been through more than most people would endure in a lifetime.
As the oldest child, Mamie faced a lot of pressure from her mother. She was expected to help with childcare, contribute financially and essentially fend for herself. This led to a lifetime struggle with depression and anxiety, and it significantly damaged the relationship with her mother.
JOIN THE FORCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE CAMPAIGN
helped Mamie mend her relationship with her mother. Just five months after enrolling in LifeSet, Mamie was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She had to leave her job as a certified nursing assistant and figure out how she could pay her bills and keep her housing.
Meghan was there for Mamie every step of the way. She drove Mamie to and from appointments, helped her advocate for the right treatment, connected her with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and was Mamie’s emotional support system.
“I was excited to finally have someone in my corner. There was finally someone to guide me and teach me the things I needed to know.”
- MAMIE, LIFESET PARTICIPANT
When Mamie left home to live independently, she realized she lacked the guidance and independent living skills needed to be on her own. Through her state social worker, she discovered the Youth Villages LifeSet program, which acts as a bridge to successful adulthood and shows positive impacts in key areas of participants’ lives such as reduced homelessness, increased economic well-being and better mental health.
When Mamie met her LifeSet specialist, Meghan, there was an instant connection. Meghan taught Mamie about budgeting, coping skills to manage her depression and how to apply for and maintain employment. Meghan even
When Mamie stopped leaving her third-floor apartment because the stairs had become too much for her, Meghan and her team helped Mamie find a new, first-floor apartment. They even got together and moved Mamie in one day. “The team was amazing and so fast. I thought it would take me an entire month to move, and they did it all in 24 hours. I don't know anywhere else that would give you that kind of support,” Mamie said.
Mamie is thankful to have Meghan and LifeSet by her side as she navigates independent adulthood and her cancer journey.
“Meghan helps me so much,” said Mamie. “I can go to her without being embarrassed or feeling like she will judge me. They gave me the support that I needed that I wasn't getting from my family. I thank God every day for that."
To learn more about helping us reach even more young adults, visit youthvillages.org/forceforyoungpeople.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT PAMELA ALDSWORTH
Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
How did you get involved with Youth Villages?
My first encounter with Youth Villages was when my dear friend and local board member invited me to the annual gala right after COVID. I had heard her speak about the organization, but really didn’t understand the approach. My husband, Scott, and I were blown away with the families’ stories. The commitment and love in the room was palpable. The Red Kite Night gala is a celebration of the organization’s success for all involved. The pride that the staff exudes during the event represents their commitment.
What’s most important to you about Youth Villages?
Many organizations have a similar objective as Youth Villages. How Youth Villages truly differentiates itself is they combine a proven databased model in conjunction with a high-touch approach. “Teaching a man to fish” is
what ensures success. Giving the youth long-term tools that can help approach challenges and be able to cope are invaluable. One of the voids I have seen at other organizations is they taught one skill and didn’t think about the holistic needs of the individual. An example would be teaching the soft skills you need in college or a professional organization. Without that, the individual feels isolated and does not know how to adjust.
How does your professional/personal life intersect with the work Youth Villages is doing?
I decided years ago that anything I supported or dedicated time to would have to do with education or helping women find their voice. Youth Villages checks both of those boxes. One may not instinctually see the female component in the Youth Villages mission. Youth Villages, of course, helps girls find a better path, but
I also think it gives mothers the tools to take their lives back, gain confidence and believe that they, too, can do more. When you are waking up every day worrying about your child, your needs take a back seat.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young person and/or family we serve, what would you say?
It’s very hard to walk in the shoes of the families. I have such admiration and respect
BY THE NUMBERS
for the work they have done to make their lives better. I guess what I would say is know there is good in the world, and you will meet people along the way that will truly want to help you and take an interest in you. Don’t be shy to seek out those people and ask for time. Everyone needs a lucky break, and that person could help with opportunities. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have women help me in business and become my mentors. Without them, I would not be where I am today.
3,181
Pamela Aldsworth
Lived experience experts from across the country are part of the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth.
AN EYE TOWARD THE FUTURE
Youth Villages, APHSA and Foster Club support a new collaborative to influence better help for young people.
Imagine it’s 2034. What will the world look like for transition-age youth leaving foster care or other children’s services?
The newly formed National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth hopes to influence the answer to that question.
The group is bringing together young adults, lived experience experts, national stakeholders and state/ federal policymakers to co-design a playbook to improve services across the country. The effort is sponsored by Youth Villages, Foster Club and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA.)
Recently, the Collaborative held its first convening after the APHSA National Human Services Summit 2024 in Arlington, Virginia.
“This gathering represents a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to ensure the well-being and success of transition-aged youth in the child welfare system,” said Nick Henderson, a child welfare leader from Stearns County, Minnesota. “We are privileged to bring together
Young adults participated in activities and discussions with child welfare leaders and transition-age youth advocates.
insights from young adults with lived experience, state and local child welfare leaders and national stakeholders to illuminate the path forward.”
The Collaborative includes 10 lived experience experts from across the country: Knowledge Grant of Florida, Jasmine Green of California, Jeremiah Vivekanandan of New York, Brina Williams of Michigan, Charissa Keebaugh of Washington, Shayne McCrae of Kansas, Kari Robles of New York, Natalie Clark of Utah, Maddie LeMay of New Hampshire, and Dina Santos of Florida.
At the first convening, the young adults led panel discussions with child welfare leaders from California, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Texas and Virginia who are a part of the Collaborative.
Clark, from Utah, had some advice for state leaders and stakeholders.
“Start paying close attention to what the young people are saying, typically we’re onto something when we’re sharing with you,” she said. “Question under-utilization of the resources that currently exist, and invest in lived experience positions within your areas of influence.”
Everyone agreed effective services to families were needed to reduce the number of young people aging out of care in the future. Services that strengthen and support families can help children safely avoid any out-of-home or foster care placement.
Young people suggested some actionable steps states and agencies can take immediately:
• Provide cultural competency training for staff and caregivers.
• Implement anti-discriminatory practices to ensure access to appropriate services regardless of a young person’s background or identity.
• Recruit more diverse foster families, so families can be found to match with a young person’s needs and goals.
• Foster community connections and allow youth to engage in decision making.
The Collaborative has two additional virtual meetings and will conclude with an in-person meeting at the Achieving Success Convening in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November.
For more information on the Collaborative:
Shaquita Ogletree shaquita.ogletree@youthvillages.org
Ivy-Marie Washington ivymarie@aphsa.org
Celeste Bodner systemchange@fosterclub.com
NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN
INNOVATOR
$ 100,000+
Anonymous
Frieze Family Foundation
The Mellen Fund
One8 Foundation
VISIONARY
$ 50,000 to $ 99,999
Anonymous
Anonymous
Cummings Foundation
Sandy and Paul Edgerley
Gendron Family Foundation
Barbara and Amos Hostetter
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Stephanie and Brian Spector
PILLAR
$ 25,000 to $ 49,999
Anonymous
Anonymous
Abrams Family Office
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Kelly Simpson-Angelini and Marissa Matthews
Amanda Eisel and John Becker
The Kraft Group
Kristin and Paul Marcus
LEADER
$ 10,000 to $ 24,999
Anonymous
Pamela and Scott Aldsworth
Mickey and Bob Atchinson
CarGurus
Nina and David Fialkow
Karen and Robert Forlenza
Hamilton Company
Charitable Foundation
Yvonne Hao and Mark Wu
JPMorgan Chase & Co
SBLI Charitable Foundation
Ashley Stolba and Garret Weston
Van Oossanen Family Fund
Elise Zoli and Jon Cosco
PROTECTOR
$ 5,000 to $ 9,999
Mandy and Seth Berman
Susan and Stephen Burbage
Monica and Peter Campanella
Kimberly and Grady Clouse
Beth Clymer
Cogan Family Foundation
Boston Children’s Hospital
Bulfinch Strategies Group
Rekha and Ryan Hayden
Mark Healy
Sarah Hodges and David Balter
Claire Johnson
Pete Kadens
JAN. 1 – JUNE 30, 2024
Yvette Lowenthal
Pamela and Kent Lucken
Pamela and Tom Lynch
Marisela Marrero
Kathleen and Jeffrey Mortimer
Kristin and Steve Mugford
Nutter, McClennan & Fish LLP
Pillpack Alumni
Rockland Recovery Centers
Fred and Judy Schmid
Charitable Foundation
Ian and Rochelle Siegel
TD Charitable Foundation
TJX Foundation, Inc.
David Travers
Kate Walsh and Dr. Erik Garpestad
BUILDER
$ 1,000 to $ 4,999
Berkshire Bank
Katie Burke
Peter Butterfield
Cecilia Chao
Jessie Collins
Holly and John Cook
Daniel Curtin
Liraz and Raz Evenor
Eastern Bank
Charitable Foundation
Tracey and David Frankel
Monika and Jaipal Gandhi
Nancy and Robert Go
Allison Elizabeth Gray
Janna and Jonathan Greene
Kate Gulliver
Julia Gwynne
Matthew Harris
Jana and Clarence Hinton
Jeffrey Huang
Erin and Rohan Kapoor
Casey Leonetti
Denise and Edmund Lydon
Amanda Clark MacMullan
Market Street Retail South LLC
Kelly Corbett McIntosh and Peter Butterfield
Karen and Jeffrey Miller
Jacqui Miller
Jennifer Muldoon
Monna and Ajay Nanavati
Melissa Ocasio and Geo Santiago
Christina and Alex Pardy
Leslie Perlow and Joshua Coval
Nischit Ranganath
Jennifer and Jason Ryan
Robin Powered
Maribel and Aaron Sandoski
Ms. Helen Chin Schlichte
Elizabeth and Matt Scholder
Malisa Schuyler
Sentinel Benefits & Financial Group
Jane Shih
Anita and Rishi Shukla
Jewel Burks Solomon
Martha and Mike Sullivan
Shikha and Gaurav Tuli
Wendy and Andy Vincent
Danielle Wang
Dr. Pramila Yadav
Heroes Highlight Heroes Highlight
“Working with Youth Villages is an incredibly meaningful experience because they do so much to keep at-risk kids together with their families and support them through their childhood. It feels so good to stop hopelessly watching societal inequities from the sidelines, instead rolling up your sleeves and helping with positive change.”
AMANDA WALL-GRAF DESIGN DIRECTOR, KIDS FOOTWEAR - CONVERSE
...and you can sign up online today to participate. With the growing demand for Intercept and LifeSet services, we need your help to provide holiday gifts for nearly 1,000 young people in our programs who have the highest need. You can shop for a personalized wish list or make a donation online. It costs approximately $150 to fulfill one youth’s wish list. For many of these children, these will be the only presents they receive for the holidays.
Become someone’s Holiday Hero today!
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES
There are many ways you and your company or organization can get involved. Become a volunteer, host a drive at your office, attend an event, or sponsor a young person through Holiday Heroes. Your support will directly impact the hundreds of young people we serve every day in New England.
GET INVOLVED
Donations & donor-advised fund/foundations
Katie Dilly, Director of Development
Katherine.Dilly@youthvillages.org | 617-680-9034
Events & general support
Mackenzie Giuffre, Development Manager
Mackenzie.Giuffre@youthvillages.org | 781-258-3275
Volunteering & corporate partnerships
Sam Tyler, Development Coordinator
Samantha.Tyler@youthvillages.org | 781-937-5219
instagram.com/youthvillagesma_nh facebook.com/youthvillages
linkedin.com/company/youth-villages x.com/youthvillages
youtube.com/youthvillages
YOUTH VILLAGES
12 Gill Street, Suite 5800
Woburn, MA 01801
(Address Service Requested)
Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 43,000 children and their families each year from the following cities and states:
Alabama: Auburn
Arizona: Phoenix
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Little Rock
Florida: Lakeland
Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville
Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis
Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville
Louisiana: Metairie
Maine: Portland
Massachusetts: Boston, Marlborough, Springfield, Raynham, Woburn
Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo
U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT 1324
New Hampshire: Manchester, Plymouth
North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville, Wilmington
Ohio: Dayton, Worthington
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Oregon: Bend, Portland, Salem
South Carolina: Columbia, Rock Hill
Rhode Island: Providence
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris
Washington, D.C.
New Heights is published by Youth Villages
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