Youth Villages | NC Newsletter | Spring 2024

SPRING 2024

New HEIGHTS

FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES

• DONOR SPOTLIGHT: YOUNG FAMILY ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: LIFESET™ GIVES HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

• MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

• GROWING STRONGER SUMMIT COMING SOON

UPDATE

FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Every spring, we get to witness the beauty and strength of nature while we watch flowers, plants and trees grow. It’s a reminder of how grateful we are for your incredible support. Your generosity has been instrumental in our initiatives to grow our communities stronger by increasing our resources to help youth and families live successfully throughout North Carolina.

Last year, we launched Growing Stronger, a threeyear campaign to increase our efforts throughout the state by amplifying our community support. We are thrilled to announce that, because of your contributions, we’re now serving more than 920 youth on a daily basis in North Carolina. This is a landmark moment, and we are just getting started. Our goal is to serve 1,000 youth each day by the end of 2024.

We couldn’t make these transformative advancements without you. This year, we gained more than 40 new Champions for Children who have pledged their support for three years to ensure the sustainability of our work. We also are engaging partners in new creative ways to enrich the lives of our young adults in our LifeSet and Scholars program, and we are finding ways to become a major thought leader in our communities.

May holds a special place in our hearts at Youth Villages. It sheds light on two very important issues we care deeply about: foster care and mental health. To help raise recognition for National Foster Care Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we are hosting our first Growing Stronger Summit with national author and advocate David Ambroz. We encourage everyone to read David’s book and join us for the Summit in Charlotte this May.

During this season of growth, we extend our heartful gratitude!

Paul Enderson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NORTH CAROLINA

paul.enderson@youthvillages.org

865-560-2548

NORTH CAROLINA ADVISORY BOARD

Taylor Vaugh, Chair

Erika Carney, Vice Chair

Bradley Curelop

Cheddi Johnson

Kelly McKinnon

Ross Pope

Lee Robertson

NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE LOCATIONS

Asheville

Boone

Charlotte

Fayetteville

Greensboro

Greenville

Louisburg

Raleigh-Durham

Waynesville

Wilmington

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 other high-performing agencies and advocacy, we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare, children’s mental health and justice systems. Our 4,000 employees serve more than 39,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 26 states and D.C. 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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MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

YOUTH VILLAGES WORKS TO SYSTEMATICALLY CHANGE FOSTER CARE OUTCOMES

There are close to 15,000 youth in foster care in North Carolina, many more who have interactions with the Department of Social Services (DSS), and more than 500 youth each year aging out of the system.

Neglecting to support our state’s youth not only has a tremendous impact on the individual development of these young people but also on our society. Research suggests that every youth who ages out of foster care unassisted costs taxpayers and their communities about $300,000 per youth. That’s about $150 million in North Carolina and about $8 billion (about $25 per person in the U.S.) nationally. By supporting Youth Villages’ services, the vicious cycle of poverty and mental health crisis can be broken to give young people a brighter tomorrow with transferable skills, self-confidence and resources to thrive.

In North Carolina, Youth Villages does not offer foster care like we do in other states. Instead, we focus our efforts on making systematic changes to decrease the number of children going into the different child welfare systems like foster care. We also support youth who age out of foster

care by ensuring they have the proper support they need to be successful in our communities.

Youth who have touched the foster care system face many challenges that most young people never have to deal with. They are more likely to experience homelessness, more likely to be incarcerated, and have higher incidences of mental health crises. In addition, their support system ends when they become what we legally define as an adult, leaving them isolated and underprepared to navigate their lives independently. That’s where Youth Villages and supporters like you come in. Our goal is to provide solutions to this problem, and we do so by being a force for families.

Youth Villages’ flagship Intercept® program is an intensive in-home service that effectively alters treatment for children and youth who otherwise would be placed in foster care, residential treatment, detention centers, hospitals or other juvenile facilities. Intercept diverts youth

Foster continues on page 7

LIFESET GIVES YOUTH HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Bone, a LifeSet participant, opens up about their experiences in an interview with Youth Villages. Finding ways to cope with a tumultuous past and guiding them to achieve their goals

Every day, Youth Villages strives to provide transformative services for youth who have struggled with their mental health and had a lack of natural support. With support from donors like you, your impact is felt in the lives of many young people, like Bone.

Bone (they/them) is a North Carolina native and Asheville resident who is now a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Their journey through the LifeSet program helped them transition into an independent, motivated and goal-oriented person.

“It’s terrifying, so stressful, but it is definitely worth it,” Bone said.

The journey for Bone to get where they are was not easy. Bone had a rough upbringing, dealing with absent parents. Bone primarily lived with their grandmother. By the time they got to high school, their grandmother decided to leave to go live with her other son, leaving Bone behind.

“I felt abandoned and incredibly angry,” Bone said. “I thought to myself, ‘what did I do to make her

leave and choose a different child over me?’”

The abandonment issues they developed led them to deal with behavioral and mental challenges that led to having trouble in school, not trusting people, and eventually, dropping out of school.

Bone also spent a good amount of their late teens homeless. For a while, Bone slept in their car.

“I did not know what I was doing or where I could go,” Bone said. “It was very scary.”

While navigating this dark time in their life, Bone was connected to the LifeSet program.

Mary, a LifeSet specialist, stepped up to the plate and dug deep to provide resources tailored for Bone’s needs at the time. Together, they worked to secure a vehicle for transportation, housing and employment so Bone could live independently.

“At the time, my only goal was to not be homeless and to be able to

live,” Bone said. “Mary helped me find and expand on having [other] goals. She taught me a lot of life skills that I didn’t have.”

Now, having this newfound support in LifeSet, Bone was able to thrive.

They had no idea which direction they were headed. With the newfound support from LifeSet, Bone earned their GED, and now credits a lot of their ability and success to their time spent with Youth Villages.

“Youth Villages has helped me more than I can explain,” Bone said. “I do not have the words to express the ways they have impacted me. I cannot thank them enough.”

Programs like LifeSet make all the difference in the lives of young adults in our community. It is because of generous support and contributions from people like you, that helps us continue to transform the lives of young people and help them tap into their potential as they transition into adulthood.

WE’RE PART OF THE VILLAGE DONOR SPOTLIGHT

LEIGH YOUNG AND HER FAMILY SHARE THEIR WHY

How did you become involved with Youth Villages?

We have always been drawn to organizations that advocate for and provide help to children. Children are so often the victims of their circumstances, and their voice is often not heard. Youth Villages assists those who are most vulnerable.

When Youth Villages expanded into North Carolina, I was asked to join the organization’s State Advisory Board. Since then, my family has found ways throughout the years to stay engaged, whether it’s hosting a table at a fundraiser, throwing a private party, being a Holiday Hero or my daughter interning while in college. We truly feel a part of this village that’s making a difference.

Why do you personally support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?

We support Youth Villages because we believe they are a great philanthropic investment. Youth Villages’ in-home therapeutic programs and their LifeSet program for youth aging out of the system all are highly researched and have become national models. Not only that, but for every dollar that Youth Villages raises towards LifeSet, the State of North Carolina will match 4:1 to ensure that every youth who needs help transitioning into adulthood can do so successfully.

What is one story or moment that sticks with you about Youth Villages’ work with young people?

I visited the home of a child who was struggling with the challenges of extreme

violence. When we walked in, the mother was hysterically crying as the school had just called. This call was one of many and seemed to be the child’s last chance at staying in school. The mom was upset, tired, angry and frustrated.

The Youth Villages case manager calmly answered her questions, giving the mother ideas and suggestions on ways to deal with the current situation and strategies to change their path moving forward.

When we arrived, the mother was understandably frustrated. As we were leaving, I glanced back at her and could see a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Why should someone consider becoming involved with Youth Villages?

We are connected. When someone in our community is hurting, it hurts us all. We should not miss opportunities to affect change for the better.

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

Youth Villages invests in the future of our families. The mental, physical and emotional health of our families impacts our communities. An investment in Youth Villages strengthens our communities.

Leslie Bevacqua Coman, Mary Victoria Young, Leigh Young and Ares Epps at the Growing Stronger Triangle Breakfast in 2023.

LIVED EXPERIENCE PARTNERSHIPS ELEVATE YOUTH WORK

INVESTING IN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE IN FOSTER CARE TO HELP IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR OTHER TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH

Youth Villages’ mission is to help children, families and young adults live successfully, and a critical part of achieving that mission daily is continuing to invest in foster youth aging out of care — both locally and nationally.

For this group of young people, the journey to adulthood is made with little or no support and can present many challenges. Organizations led by individuals with lived experience in child welfare systems provide an essential voice and partner in transforming that experience for those who come behind them.

As an extension of our work in this community, Youth Villages has developed a deep commitment to extending access to high-quality services for all youth aging out of care. Many young people who have experienced aging out go on to launch their own efforts to improve services for other transition-age youth. Investing in transition-age youth and the innovative programs they lead helps to improve outcomes for everyone through programming, advocacy and systems reform.

“We share a common goal of supporting young people as they make the transition to adulthood,” said Catherine Smith, Youth Villages managing director of business planning and policy. “We look forward to partnering with these organizations and their respective leaders who will bring invaluable lived experience and important perspective. Together, we will have an even greater positive impact on services and outcomes for transition-age young people.”

Many of these strategic partnerships are exploring even broader engagement with Youth Villages to include things like functional support, aligning in advocacy efforts and co-sponsoring events and activities in the future.

All of the work that occurs with young people in North Carolina continues to inform Youth Villages’ national efforts and reinforces our belief in what is possible with this resilient group of fellow citizens who are working to become their very best selves and oftentimes break generational barriers in becoming amazing adults.

California Youth Connection/ Oregon Foster Youth Connection (Oregon statewide)

To establish OFYC as an independent, transition-age youth led advocacy organization to drive policy change.

Florida’s Children First/ Florida Youth SHINE (Florida statewide)

To launch the first phase of the youthled “YouthCanSHINE” campaign to drive greater change through advocacy and create statewide awareness of the supports that young people in care need to be successful.

Found Village (Cincinnati, Ohio)

To expand the support offered to transition-age young people in Hamilton County, Ohio by investing in staffing and program development to deliver the “Launch to Independence” program, which offers focused and intentional ageappropriate coaching, life skills training and career advancement opportunities for young people exiting foster care.

Freedom Forward (San Francisco, California)

To fund a guaranteed income pilot for transition-age young people aging out of foster care who are survivors of sexual exploitation in San Francisco.

Propelling into Triumph (Miami, Florida)

To expand a life skills coaching and mentorship program for transition-age young people in Miami, Florida.

SUN Scholars (Connecticut; nationwide project)

To build an AI-powered online education resource for transition-age young people graduating high school and the education professionals who support them.

Winston Rhea Scholars (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Foster continued on page 3

from out-of-home placements, and specialists provide systemic family therapy to preserve the family unit and increase problem solving skills for the youth and caregivers. Intercept addresses complex family trauma and works through the crisis to create lasting change, making North Carolina families stronger and more stable.

To serve transition-age young people in Louisiana and South Carolina through the expansion of a high-touch, intensive coaching/mentorship program that includes post-high school goal setting and financial support.

YSS (Des Moines, Iowa)

To provide workforce/professional development for child welfare and juvenile justice involved youth through a sustainable farming initiative.

While our Intercept program has proven to have highly effective results, we also recognize that youth who face extreme abuse, neglect and trauma will still go into foster care. Youth who have spent time in foster care need more support once they age out. That is why Youth Villages was one of the first organizations to create a program, LifeSet, that directly addresses the life challenges that transition-age youth face and targets an array of life skills that help prepare them for the road ahead. Whether a young person needs a place to call home, guidance on employment opportunities or navigating the college process, LifeSet can help them build the necessary skills to live a productive adult life. Unlike other transitional living programs, LifeSet works with young people in their communities. There is no residential component, and this allows young people to build attainable plans that are tailored to their specific environments. LifeSet youth are also provided 24/7 on-call support when they face emergency situations.

Please know that, by supporting Youth Villages, you are helping build stronger families and youth that will, in turn, grow a stronger North Carolina.

JOIN US Growing Stronger Summit

S trengthening Our Community by Fostering an Untapped Workforce

David Ambroz

MAY 17 8:00-10 a.m.

Youth Villages North Carolina and its partners invite you to join us for our first Growing Stronger Summit. Esteemed author and national child welfare advocate David Ambroz will share how youth aging out of our foster care system have the potential to create economic opportunities that benefit workplaces and local communities.

Every year, 500,000 kids pass through foster care. With the right support, this population can fill many workforce gaps in our communities, including right here in Charlotte. By focusing on viable workplace solutions to support and empower this resilient population, we will explore how we can make our communities stronger and create local economic growth together.

Agenda Highlights

• Hear from national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate David Ambroz on his experience in foster care and how this group of young adults offers opportunities to impact your local community

• Gain expert insights from a panel discussion facilitated by Cornelius Town Commissioner Robby Carney

• Meet young adults from our community with lived experience and hear how they became part of the workforce while overcoming trauma and mental health challenges

• Learn from local businesses which have implemented best practices that can help transitioning youth be more successful at work

• Network with other community and thought leaders involved with local business, child welfare and mental/ behavioral health who are motivated to create system-wide changes that support young people in our communities

Have questions or want to learn about sponsorship opportunities? Contact Erica Ellis at erica.ellis@youthvillages.org

• Be inspired to support this untapped workforce in ways that help build stronger communities

YOU CAN BE A BACKPACK HERO

Join us in our annual campaign to make a difference!

Coming together as Backpack Heroes, we can ensure that every youth and young adult in our programs enters the school year with the tools and confidence they need to succeed. Let’s make this year’s campaign the most impactful one yet.

Together, we can build a brighter future — one backpack at a time!

MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS IN NEED BY REACHING OUT TO EVELYN ANDERSON AT EVELYN.ANDERSON@YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG.

YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG/BACKPACKS

Youth Villages was thrilled to be one of the recipients of this year’s Band Together held in Raleigh. The event raised more than $1 million to support young people in the Triangle, including through our LifeSet program.

NORTH CAROLINA CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

JULY 1, 2023-DEC. 31, 2023

INNOVATOR

$100,000+

The Duke Endowment

VISIONARY

$50,000 to $99,999

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

The Leon Levine Foundation

Optum Services Inc.

PILLAR

$25,000 to $49,999

Heather and Daniel Bradshaw

Foundation of the Carolinas

The Evergreen Foundation

Giving with Grace Foundation

LEADER

$10,000 to $24,999

Crawfish for a Cause

Speedway Children’s Charities

Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation

PROTECTOR

$5,000 to $9,999

Bertsch Family Charitable Foundation

Sara and Brian Boehm

DNA Property Management LLC

Linda and Walter Lieber

Tracy and Doug Miskew

Vaya Health

BUILDER

$1,000 to $4,999

Anchor Capital Management Company

Bank of America

The Beck Group

100 Black Men of America

Triangle East Chapter

Block, Inc

Carolina Panthers

Columbia Forest Products

Steven Dennis

Durham Exchange Club

Claire and Russ Ferguson

Theresa Jurgensen and Chris Jackson

Amy Jacobs

Kevin Kiernan

Rick Linville

The Loweth-Alvord Foundation

Public Sector Group

Robin and Jack Salzman

Megan Shook

Atlas Stark

Thank you to those who have already committed to our Growing Stronger campaign and become part of the Champions for Children Circle as of December 2023!

LEADER

Deborah and Allen Campbell

PROTECTOR

Mary and Steven Boehm

Sara and Brian Boehm

Chris Carlino

Mike Kavanagh

Caroline and Ross Pope

Tracy and Doug Miskew

Robin and Jack Salzman

Sarah and Taylor Vaughn

BUILDER

Jesica Averhart

Elizabeth Buffkin

Lori Bush

Jack Butler

Christopher Carney

Erika and Robby Carney

Sue and Scott Carpenter

Stacey and Bradley Curelop

José Diaz

Leeann and Mark Garms

Catherine Hamlin

Ross Hartney

Natalie and David Homesley

Julianne Howard

Amy Jacobs

Suzanne Jeska

Carissa Kohn-Johnson

Kristy Kent

Kevin Kiernan

Midtown Property Law

Tia McLaurin

Posey and Mark Mealy

Tovah Mitchell

Vivian Munson

Spencer Pierce

Ashley Pizzo

Ashton and Stephen Powell

Zach Prager

Reese and Ian Rahilly

Todd Reider

Dexter Richardson

Lee Robertson Jr.

Dawn and Marc Sinacori

Moira Smulien and Chris Marshall

Rich Tucker

Rebecca and Quentin Watkins

Sara Wright

Leigh and David Young

THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN YOUTH VILLAGES’ PROGRAMS.

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer individually or with a group

Contact Evelyn Anderson at evelyn.anderson@youthvillages.org

STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE

twitter.com/youthvillages

facebook.com/youthvillages

instagram.com/youthvillages

linkedin.com/company/youth-villages

youtube.com/youthvillages

Become a Champion for Children!

Your generous contribution will support the families and young adults we serve and help us grow our impact! There are many ways you can make a monetary donation.

1. GIVE A ONE-TIME OR MONTHLY GIFT ONLINE AT YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG/DONATE

Select North Carolina from the drop down. Become a Champion for Children with a gift of $1,000 or more.

2. SEND A CHECK IN THE ENVELOPE INCLUDED OR MAIL TO:

Youth Villages North Carolina

Attn: Erica Ellis, Director of Development 8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 152, Charlotte, NC 28269

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

Mailing Address:

Youth Villages, Attn: North Carolina 3320 Brother Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38133

Please advise Erica Ellis if you make a DAF gift to ensure it directly supports youth in our state.

4. GIVE A GIFT OF STOCK

Youth Villages Fidelity DTC Number: 0226

Account Number: Z73888583 Attn: For North Carolina

Have your stock advisor notify Erica Ellis about your gift at erica.ellis@youthvillages.org to ensure it directly supports youth in our state.

5. FROM YOUR IRA

If you are 70½ or over, you can give any amount (maximum up to $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Youth Villages North Carolina without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value of $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing you are making a difference. This popular gift option is commonly called the “IRA charitable rollover,” but you may also see it referred to as a “qualified charitable distribution” or QCD.

Questions about donating or designating a gift?

Erica Ellis, Director of Development erica.ellis@youthvillages.org or 704-510-5601

YOUTH VILLAGES

8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 152

Charlotte, NC 28269

(Address Service Requested)

Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 39,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities:

Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile

Arizona: Phoenix

Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock, Searcy, West Memphis

Florida: Lakeland

Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville

Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Indianapolis

Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville

Louisiana: Metairie

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: Dayton, 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.