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Youth Villages' work in East Tennessee
Citation preview
Family Victories from Youth Villages Middle Tennessee
2
A message from Our CEO
The work we do can have a tremendous effect on youth in Middle Tennessee,
but that work falls short without the help of the community. Individuals and
businesses volunteer countless hours to help us and youth in our programs,
and the benefits go far beyond simple help — not only are young people in our
programs shown real-life skills and prepared for the future, they’re shown that
a community is invested in their success.
Our transitional living program is an effective way to help young people ag-
ing out of foster care by teaching them independent living skills — things many
take for granted — like budgeting money, finding a place to live, getting insur-
ance and health care, filling out college applications or finding a job. But our
community takes that to another level. For instance, Middle Tennessee State
University recently hosted an orientation session for some in our TL program.
In addition to a tour of the school, they also let the young people know about a
school program specifically for former foster youth to help them through the
intimidating first year of school. In addition, Bridgestone Americas recently
hosted a job camp for our TL youth, where they shared tips on interviewing
well, dressing for success and resume building. Our youth were able to conduct
mock interviews with Bridgestone employees, and received feedback on what
they did well and what they need to improve upon. In fact, a few in attendance
were identified as candidates for internships.
A mentor recently was also honored as a nominee for the Catherine Strobel
Award. Monica and her husband, Jerrion, mentor two youth who’ve been through
Youth Villages’ programs, and the mentees have thrived in their relationships. It’s
inspiring to see how a community rises to help those in need. In Middle Tennessee,
volunteering is a tradition, and the community reaps the rewards in a future of
children who’ve seen first-hand how much a community cares.
Thank you for your support,
Mike Bruns, ChairmanRonnie Randall, Vice ChairmanJimmy Lackie, SecretaryPaul Bower, TreasurerJim Barton Jr.Eric BoltonKenneth CampbellTerry CrossMarietta DavisNicholas R. EhlenLewis Holland Sr.John HutchinsJoanna JacobsonRev. Robert Earl JonesBryan JordanKarole LloydMark MedfordJim ParrishJohnny PittsRay PohlmanJennifer QueenPat RitzMatthew TarkentonScotland ThedeDavid TylerBetsy WalkupGeorge WhitePatrick Lawler, CEO
Bill Hamburg, Co-Chairman
Betsy Walkup, Co-Chairman
Karen Baker
Judy Caplan
George Cate Jr.
Tarsha Clemons
Mary Cooper
Vaughan DePillo
Bob Grimes
Mary Grochau
Julia Ann Hawkins
Chris Kimler
Brent McIntosh
Elena Perez
Laura Perkins
Louisa Pruitt
Lisa Small
Kevin Thompson
Lele Thompson
Pat Wallace
Jeremy Werthan
Youth Villages recently was featured
in a five-part documentary series on
WNPT Nashville Public Television
about children’s mental health issues
in Nashville. WNPT hosted the first
viewing of the documentary, “Chil-
dren’s Health Crisis,” and followed the
viewing with a discussion by a panel of
Nashville-area experts in the mental
health field.
The documentary followed Sarah
Baker, Intercept family intervention
specialist in Nashville, on one of her
home visits with a family.
“It was exciting to have the opportu-
nity to show people what I do at Youth
Villages and to share a success story
that shows what we do here really
works,” Sarah said. “The family was in-
credible. They spoke about their posi-
tive experiences with Youth Villages
and shared their story for other people
to see and know help is out there.”
In the documentary, Sarah and the
mother of the family explained how
Youth Villages’ in-home program
helped her son
address his ag-
gression issues
and gave her
family a more
peaceful house-
hold.
The goal of
the documentary is to raise aware-
ness of mental health issues and start
a community-wide conversation about
the increasing health problems of
Nashville’s children, including pre-
mature birth, childhood obesity and
untreated mental health issues.
The documentary showed Tennessee
ranks 42 out of 50 states in health and
well-being for children.
3
ChristieCare of Oregon and Youth Villages celebrated
their merger June 1 during ceremonies at the organiza-
tion’s Lake Oswego campus.
The new organization, called Youth Villages-Chris-
tieCare of Oregon, offers intensive in-home services to
families in Clackamas and Washington counties, while
continuing ChristieCare’s 150-year history of providing
residential and other services to troubled children and
youth throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“What we need in Oregon are proven, cost-effective al-
ternatives to more expensive foster care and residential
services, as well as prevention services that allow us to
preserve and strengthen families before they fall apart,”
said Lynne Saxton, executive director of Youth Villages-
ChristieCare. “That’s exactly what we are now able to
offer to Oregon’s children and families.”
Youth Villages was highlighted in a recent PBS documentary and panel discussion in Nashville.
OutcomesAt One-Year Post-Discharge
0
20
40
60
80
100
83% 81%90%
At home w
ith family
No involvem
entw
ith the law
In school or graduated
The graph above represents status at one year after discharge through June 2011. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 55 percent.
As a national leader in the field of behavioral health,
Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and
families participating in its programs since 1994.
Jenna Marquardt-Coleman, left, and Sarah Baker
4
MTSU’s Next Step program offers assistance, support for former foster youth
Youth in the transitional living program recently toured Middle Tennessee State University and learned about the school’s Next Step Program, which supports entering students who were in foster care.
Middle Tennessee youth in the
transitional living program re-
cently visited Middle Tennessee
State University for a campus
tour and to learn more about the
university’s Next Step program.
Attending college is a life-
changing event, and Next Step
eases the transition from foster
care to more independent col-
lege life. MTSU, in conjunction
with the Tennessee Depart-
ment of Children’s Services and
the Tennessee Youth Advisory
Council, created the program
where student mentors assist
incoming students with admis-
sions, financial aid, housing,
academic advising and student
support.
These mentors are part of the
Next Step program and come
from foster care or similar situa-
tions. Many of the youth partici-
pating in the tour plan to attend
MTSU, and were able to meet
with school officials to learn
more about class scheduling,
admissions and housing.
“This complements what the
TL program is doing with our
young adults,” said Joanna
Dixon, Youth Villages Middle
Tennessee education/vocation
coordinator. “This is a great
service for our youth. Entering
college is a great time, but it’s
also intimidating.
“It’s critical for our young
adults to have that extension of
support when they need it.”
Youth Villages has 150 youth
in the TL program in Middle
Tennessee. Of that, 59 are em-
ployed and 40 are in college
or pursuing post-secondary
eduation.
5
Bridgestone Americas
Inc. recently hosted an
open-house and career
coaching lunch-and-learn
for more than 50 Middle
Tennessee young adults
in the transitional living
program.
In addition to a tour of
the corporate office and
learning about Bridges-
tone’s history, the youth
also heard inspirational
stories from some of the
Bridgestone staff, where
they shared life experi-
ences and the obstacles
they overcame to achieve
success in their careers.
After a brief lunch,
the youth were escorted
through workstations on
proper dress, social
media awareness and
job interviews.
The mock job inter-
views were conducted
by Bridgestone staff,
who offered immedi-
ate feedback on
each youth’s per-
formance.
“It was a great
experience for
our young adults
in the TL program,”
said Joanna Dixon,
education/vocation
coordinator for the TL pro-
gram. “Having profession-
als give feedback on what
went well and what needed
work and how our youth
can enhance their presen
tation skills when they
go on job interviews was
invaluable.”
In fact, Bridgestone
identified a few youth as
candidates for internships.
Bridgestone Americas recently hosted a job prep training day for young people in Youth Villages’ transitional living program that in-cluded participating in mock job interviews.
6
Dell Inc. volunteers closed out the summer by providing a
cookout for the girls at the Wallace Group Home. The dedi-
cated group from Dell grilled turkey burgers and shishka-
babs, and provided fruit and corn on the cob for the Wallace
girls and staff.
“It was great to be able to do something delicious and nu-
tritious for the Wallace Home before they have to focus on
going back to school,” Tarsha Clemmons, Dell team leader,
said.
In addition to the cookout, the Dell volunteers sponsored
the girls for their school uniforms.
The entire staff at the Wallace Group Home and
Youth Villages would like to thank the Dell volun-
teers for their continued support for Youth Villages’
group homes.
At the Tallwood Group Home, our youth work on computers provided by Dell.
Wallace Group Home
Tallwood Group Home
In April, Dell volunteers spent the day weeding, mulching and
establishing a garden full of fruits and vegetables at the Wallace
Group Home.
Dell held a resumé workshop for young adults in Youth Villages’
transitional living program. The group not only worked with Dell
staff to design and construct a quality resumé, they also toured
the Dell facility.
As part of Dell’s YouthConnect grant, Youth
Villages is able to provide laptops for youth in our
programs. Youth in the transitional living program
use the computers for seeking employment and for
educational purposes.
Dell YouthConnect grant
Monica Richardson recently was
nominated for a Mary Catherine
Strobel Volunteer Award, hosted by
HandsOn Nashville. Mary Catherine
Strobel was a community volunteer
who led charitable efforts to serve
others who were less fortunate. The
awards were created in honor of
Strobel.
“There were so many amazing
people there with amazing stories,”
Monica said. “I was so honored to be
there.”
Only a few years before, she had
little interest in being a mentor.
Monica was a foster parent trainer
and recruiter for Youth Villages in the
Clarksville office. She now works with
Phoenix Homes adoption services in
Nashville.
“At Youth Villages, being a mentor
was talked about a lot,” she said. “But
I kept telling myself I
didn’t have the time.”
She’d only been with
Youth Villages for a few
weeks when she was
warned to be on the
lookout for a girl who’d
run away. The story, as
Monica tells it, begins
when Crystal, then about
13, showed up at the
Clarksville office.
“She needed a mentor,” she said. “We
kind of connected right there.”
“Monica’s like a big sister to me,”
Crystal said. “She helps me out with
everything.”
They’ve had to scale back their visits
to once a month because they live so
far apart. But they stay close by phon-
ing weekly, sometimes more. They’ve
been together going on three years.
Monica says her personal and spiri-
tual journey is about learning. And in
dealing with others through social
services and mentoring, she has great
opportunities.
“I’m able to learn so much from
others and their stories,” Monica said.
“Even as Crystal has matured and
become more of an adult, I still learn
about what’s important to her and what
her priorities are.”
7
Monica, right, with mentee Crystal
Lateria spent five years
or exactly 70 months in
state custody before find-
ing a forever home with
her aunt.
Lateria lived in foster
care, the Wallace Group
Home and the Girls
Center on Youth Villages’
Bartlett Campus.
“When I first met Lat-
eria, she was pretty lost.
She had no anger manage-
ment skills and had ag-
gression issues,” said Tyler
Banks, Intercept supervi-
sor. “Now, Lateria is funny,
gets along with others, is a
pleasure to work with, and
has developed great criti-
cal thinking and judgment
skills.”
When Lateria was living
in Wallace, she qualified
for Youth Villages’ inten-
sive family finder pro-
gram, which connected
her to her maternal aunt.
Youth Villages’ family
finder program searches
for biological family mem-
bers for the children Youth
Villages is trying to place
in “forever” homes.
Lateria’s aunt was grant-
ed subsidized permanent
guardianship and last fall,
Lateria was able to go to
her aunt’s house and was
reunited with her cousins.
This June, the adoption
was made official and La-
teria has found her “for-
ever” home.
In the left photo, Lateria, in blue, spent five years in state custody with no family. Youth Villages searched and found a maternal aunt who expressed a desire to adopt her. Late last year, Lateria was reunited with her aunt and cousins, above. In June, her adop-tion was made official.
Thank you to all our Back-
pack Heroes who helped us
get the children of Middle
Tennessee ready for school
this year.
The Backpack Heroes
program provides back-
packs and school supplies
to more than 600 children
in Youth Villages’ group
homes, foster care, in-home
counseling and transitional
living programs.
“Because of what our
partners continue to do for
Youth Villages, these kids
get to attend school with
new folders, paper, pencils
and backpacks like every
other kid,” said Greg Schott,
Youth Villages development
manager. “It shows them
they are important to the
community.”
This year, such commu-
nity partners as Crye-Leike,
Rogers Group, Akzo Nobel,
Victory Church and Informa
Investment Solutions all
stepped up to the plate to
be heroes this year, as well
as many other generous
groups and individuals.
This year was Crye-
Leike’s 11th year in a row to
participate in the program.
“We are thrilled to be
able to continue to support
Youth Villages’ Backpack
Heroes program by provid-
ing so many of our kids in
our community with what
they need to be prepared
and start school,” said
Melissa Spoonamore, public
relations assistant at Crye-
Leike.
If you are interested in
being a Backpack Hero,
contact Greg Schott at
615-250-7262 or email greg.
schott@youthvillages.org.
A team of Panera employees representing different
Panera stores in the Nashville area recently volunteered
as Backpack Heroes to organize school supplies and fill
321 backpacks for Youth Villages’ children in kindergar-
ten, elementary, middle and high school.
In addition to volunteering, Panera organized a Frozen
Lemonade promotion to raise money used to purchase
some of the school supplies.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of
Backpack Heroes,” said Courtney Ricchio, local marketing
manager at Panera Bread Company. “It was truly amaz-
ing to see the amount of backpacks and school supplies
we helped provide for the kids in our communities. Our
volunteers loved it.”
Panera donates, volunteers
th
Target employees from Nashville and surrounding areas
recently volunteered for a landscaping project at Binkley
Group Home. The 29-member group, led by Jenny Webb
and Adrienne Figueroa, is the largest volunteer group for
Youth Villages in Middle Tennessee.
“The turnout of volunteers and energy was impressive,”
Figueroa said. “Despite the heat, this was a fantastic oppor-
tunity for our teams to come together from stores all over
Nashville for a common cause and have fun. I am proud of
my team who worked quickly to do a quality job.”
The Target volunteers tried to beat the heat by coming
bright and early, but temperatures reached 90 degrees
before 10 a.m. But the group did not let sweat get in the way
of weeding and mulching the front and back yards to make
the Binkley Home look great.
“The results were incredible,” Figueroa said. “We were
passionate about providing a great finished result for the
boys.”
In addition to landscaping, the volunteers started a gar-
den of tomatoes, corn, carrots, watermelon, cucumber and
radishes.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at
Youth Villages, contact Lyndsay Berry at 615-250-7323 or
lyndsay.berry@youthvillages.org.
What are your fondest
memories of the holiday
season? They prob-
ably include family and
friends, festive meals
and special gifts. But
many children grow up without ever experiencing these
magic moments. This year Youth Villages will have more
than 800 children and families who desperately need
someone to become their Holiday Hero. As a Holiday
Hero, you can make sure the children receiving help at
Youth Villages get to share in some of these wonderful
experiences and build memories that will last a lifetime.
As a Holiday Hero, you will receive a child’s wish list
of three gifts and purchase those items. We ask Heroes
to spend only $75 per child – if you would like to spend
more, you can sponsor additional children or families.
Please leave each gift unwrapped and bagged together
in a clear sack with a copy of the child’s wish list inside.
We would like to have the gifts delivered to the Nashville
office (3310 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville TN, 37211) by
Friday, Dec. 9.
You can make a difference in the life of a child! It is
only through the generous support of community part-
ners that each of these children will receive gifts and
experience the joy and hope of the holiday season. If
you would like to be a Holiday Hero, please contact Greg
Schott at 615-250-7262 or greg.schott@youthvillages.org.
Melinda and Thomas Spiller
adopted Noah June 27. Noah
was placed with the Spillers at 4
months old after suffering abuse.
He received intensive daily atten-
tion from the Spillers after leaving
the hospital and being placed with
them. Although Noah will have
challenges throughout life with
the permanent damages the abuse
caused, he is able to run around
and do many of the things that little
boys do thanks to the loving care of
the Spillers.
Logan was adopted by Beth Bugg, a
Nashville foster parent. Beth and Lo-
gan have been together for two years.
His new adoptive name is Logan Allen
Bugg. In addition to Youth Villages’
foster care staff, Logan’s adoption was
supported by the Rutherford County
Department of Children’s Services.
Sophia found her forever family.
Last July, her adoption was final-
ized. Sophia has been in the care of
Sarah and John Paxson since she
was an infant. Sarah and John are
devoted parents, giving constant
awareness and responsiveness to
her special medical and develop-
mental needs.
Logan
Sophia
Sophia, in John Paxson’s arms, surrounded by mom Sarah Paxson and her new sisters. Join-ing them is Williamson County Circuit Court Judge James G. Martin.
Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Ewing Corlew stands between Thomas and Melinda Spiller, who re-cently adopted Noah, being held by Melinda.
Logan, center, with mother and grandmother Beth and Myra, with Rutherford County Chan-cellor Robert Ewing Corlew.
AmbroceSince 2005, Ambroce has been in foster care or participating in Youth
Villages’ programs. Ambroce transitioned to Chad and Ruby Gantt’s home
in November, and his adoption finalized in May.
Whether you’re planning a gift by
writing a will or by setting up a trust
for Youth Villages or another non
profit, Youth Villages can help.
The Youth Villages website has in-
formation on donations and planned
giving that may be valuable to you.
Simply visit youthvillages.org and
click Donate, where you’ll find an
introduction to planned giving. A
category titled “How Can I…,” lists
all the vehicles included in a plan,
including wills and bequests, gifts of
appreciated stock and gifts of real
estate with examples.
In addition, there is a section on
“why everyone needs a will,” a glossa-
ry of terms, an estate intention form
and even a planned giving calcula-
tor to see what a planned gift would
mean in your unique circumstances.
For more information, contact Marler
Stone at 901-251-4820 or e-mail marler.
stone@youthvillages.org.
www.facebook.com/youthvillages
www.twitter.com/youthvillages
www.youthvillages.wordpress.com
The following donors
made gifts to Youth Villages
between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15,
2011. The board of directors
and staff of Youth Villages
gratefully acknowledge
these thoughtful contribu-
tions. If you made a contri-
bution during this time but it
is not listed, please call the
Youth Villages Development
department at 615-250-7207.
3310 Perimeter Hill Drive
Nashville, TN 37211
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES
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