Searching for families ... 3
Sharing stories of success at CEO breakfast ... 7
Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee
Aszelee’s plans After 10 years in foster care, she’s ready to do her own thing page 4
Life of service
Knoxville foster family continues helping children after cancer tragedy page 5
Charting Youth Villages’ successful outcomes ... 3
Fall 2011
Johnson City Morristown Knoxville
A message from
Chattanooga
Our director
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clarksville
Committed to improving the lives of children
Paris
Dyersburg Jackson
Memphis
We all know people from our past who changed our life. It’s the person who leaves an indelible impression on us, causing us to change our focus and accelerate toward an achievement or goal. Sometimes that impression is very specific. Other times, maybe he or she created an environment where we were comfortable and secure enough to pursue an interest. Larry was one of those people, and he left an impression not only on the youth he helped, but also on those of us who worked with him. East Tennessee recently lost a fierce advocate for children. Larry Plaisance is highlighted in this edition of our newsletter. A foster parent for teenage boys, Larry and his wife, Nancy, didn’t shy away from difficult youth. They embraced them, and provided a safe home for more than 30 youth during the past decade or so. Ironically, it was Larry’s cancer diagnosis that led to the family becoming foster parents. And in this time of grief, the family, including the three youth living in the home, has become closer. Foster parents will tell you being a good foster parent isn’t easy. Foster youth remember the bad homes, but thrive in the good ones. And Nancy and Larry’s home was just that. It was a place where youth were comfortable being themselves, a place where the past didn’t matter, only the present and the future. Larry and Nancy were committed to helping children. There was doubt whether Nancy would continue as a foster parent after Larry’s death. But Nancy and her biological son are committed to continuing what was started years before. Nancy told her youth, “When you’re family, you stick together.” In that spirit, the legacy of Larry continues in this family and these youth, who pursue their future knowing first-hand the love, respect and commitment that one can give to another. And that giving can change lives.
Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org
2
Cookeville
NashvilleBruns, Chairman Mike Dickson Ronnie Randall, Vice Chairman Columbia Linden Jimmy Lackie, Secretary Paul Bower, Treasurer Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Kenneth Campbell Terry Cross Marietta Davis Nicholas R. Ehlen Lewis Holland Sr. John Hutchins Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Bryan Jordan Karole Lloyd Mark Medford Jim Parrish Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Jennifer Queen Pat Ritz Matthew Tarkenton Scotland Thede David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO
CONTACT US Chattanooga 5741 Cornelison Road 6400 Building Chattanooga, TN 37411 phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880 Johnson City 3915 Bristol Hwy #101 Johnson City, TN 37601 phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550 Knoxville 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475 Knoxville, TN 37923 phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580 Morristown 225 West First North Street, Suite 302 Millennium Square Building Morristown, TN 37814 phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180
Program Success
(Z H UH[PVUHS SLHKLY PU [OL ÄLSK VM ILOH]PVYHS OLHS[O @V\[O =PSSHNLZ OHZ TLHZ\YLK outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
STATE PROGRAM SUCCESS 100 80
While most schools start in August, July in Youth Villag-
Outcomes 85%
84%
children in our programs have the supplies they need to
92%
return to school. Because of the support of area individuals and organizations, Youth Villages’ Back Pack Heroes Program
In school or graduated
No involvement with the law
0
At home with family
20
es’ East Tennessee offices is a busy time helping ensure
At One-Year Post-Discharge
60 40
MORE THAN $4,000 RAISED FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
The graph above represents where children are one year after being discharged from Youth Villages’ programs, including residential treatment, group homes, foster care and/or intensive in-home services. Youth may receive multiple services while enrolled. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 55 percent.
YOUTH VILLAGES MERGES WITH OREGON’S CHRISTIE CARE ChristieCare of Oregon and Youth Villages celebrated their merger June 1 during ceremonies at the organization’s Lake Oswego campus.
was once again successful, with $4,325 raised toward the purchase of school supplies and backpacks for 169 East Tennessee youth. Many donors chose to to shop for the supplies themselves then donate the filled back pack. A special thanks to the many Youth Villages team members who shopped for the supplies on behalf of our donors, and an additional thanks to our donors: Sam & Jerry’s Market &
Bailey Insurance - Mike
Deli – Jerry Hinson
Bailey
Mary Lewis
Knoxville Association
Chelsey Snider
of REALTORS©
Katie Bondurant
Michelle LaRose
Mary Sharp
Ashley Hollendar
Taking IT Home – Leonard
Ashley Brooks
Knight
Greenbank - Joel Crippen
Ben Grace
Fleenor Security Systems -
Digital Consultants - JR
Beth VanDyke
Charles
Whitney McKee
Entrepreneurial
Melissa Jackson
Transitions - Robert Wilson
Nathan Johnston
The new organization, called Youth Villages-Chris-
Fay Bailey
Valeria Smith
tieCare of Oregon, offers intensive in-home services to
Lori McKelvy
Katherine Reynolds Bible
families in Clackamas and Washington counties, while
Martin & Loretta Brown
Study Group -
continuing ChristieCare’s 150-year history of providing
Sarah Hicks
Alison Anderson
residential and other services to troubled children and
Karen Wooten
Katie Connell
youth.
Rony Gracious
Caty Hodges
“What we need in Oregon are proven, cost-effective
Anne Teasley
Julia Landreth
alternatives to more expensive foster care and residen-
Cross Park Realty
Lindsay Frazier
tial services, as well as prevention services that allow
Partners - Konda Burnett
us to preserve and strengthen families before they fall
Broyles Florist, Inc. - Sara
apart,” Saxton said. “That’s exactly what we are now able to offer to Oregon’s children and families.”
Engel Acadia Healthcare – Clay McCoy 3
AFTER 10 YEARS IN FOSTER CARE, ASZELEE’S READY FOR INDEPENDENCE Aszelee’s working things out. It’s a long process, but not one she’s unaccustomed to – she likes to be prepared. And she’s positive; she keeps reminding herself that in the end, her efforts will pay off. Not long ago, Aszelee turned 18 and closed out 10 years in foster care throughout East Tennessee. In late May, she graduated from high school. Months before, she faced the question most foster children face as they age out of state custody. Now what?
“When I was 17, it hit me that I was about to
Azelee’s graduated high school and is focused on college and beginning an independent life.
get out of foster care
“Before I met Aszelee we spoke on the
It’s unusual for someone to be that
phone and I knew I would enjoy work-
focused.”
and I didn’t have any options,” she said. “I had
ing with her.” Aszelee did the research and found
Aszelee’s drive to better her situation included a summer visit to ex-
to find a place to stay,
housing and transportation resources
tended relatives out of state. Aszelee
get insurance, a job, and
she could use. She came up with a
has a network of friends and former
plan that started with finishing high
foster parents for support. She had
I had to finish school. I
school and then getting into college.
some good, but many bad experiences
She’s working on applications and
in foster care.
didn’t know what was
financial aid now. She would like to
“Foster care was difficult,” she said.
pursue performing arts in college.
“It didn’t prepare me for anything. I’m
available. I was a little overwhelmed.”
Youth Villages began transitional liv-
probably more driven sometimes be-
ing for youth aging out of state custody
cause of my situation, but I had to find
in 1999. Through a grant from The Day
resources myself. I had to get out and
She was also angry. Aszelee was
Foundation, Youth Villages helps these
look around to find out what to do.”
placed in foster care in 2001. She was
children get a good start on adulthood
She wants to teach and also be a
physically aggressive and had difficul-
in the crucial years between age 17
foster parent in the future. She wants
ty coping with frustrating situations.
and 22. Transitional living special-
youth to know what’s available so they
“Before, I used to lash out in anger,”
ists help young people learn to deal
don’t find themselves in the same situ-
Aszelee said. “But now I keep remind-
with the minor and major problems
ation at 17.
ing myself that I have a plan and I
that come with adulthood. They help
Aszelee said she’s “keeping her eyes
have to remember that I’ve got to
participants find housing and health
on the prize,” as she works toward her
make things better for me.”
services, learn how to access trans-
goals – getting out, getting a degree
After many foster homes, she was
portation, meet their basic needs and
and helping others.
referred to Youth Villages’ transitional
work through educational and career
living program in September 2010. She
goals.
relocated to the Knoxville area.
“She’s so resourceful,” A’lana said.
“It was into the school year, so we
“When we meet, she thinks things
first worked toward finding a school,”
through, comes up with a plan and
TL Specialist A’lana Rodgers said.
says, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do.’
4
And in the future, should another youth much like her be placed in her care as a foster child? They shouldn’t worry. They’ll have a plan. They’ll work things out.
LEGACY OF CARING LEFT FOR FAMILY AND FOSTER YOUTH “Whatever happened before, it won’t
“When you’re family, you pull
happen here.”
together.”
L
arry was a salesman for more
Larry passed away last summer. His
than two decades when he was
last years were spent helping foster
diagnosed with cancer. He wasn’t able
teenage youth and assisting his young-
to keep his job through the treat-
est son, Devan, with a mixed martial
ments. Unable to work, he confessed
arts training center. The foster chil-
to his wife, Nancy, that he would go stir
dren also helped with the business,
crazy if he didn’t find something to do.
some even participating in the classes.
Nancy, a medical coder, heard a spot
Devan runs the center, trains and
about Youth Villages and the need
fights professionally.
for foster parents on a local Christian
Just a few short months after Larry’s
radio station.
death, his imprint is left on the youth
“I told him about it and he called,”
he helped and the children he raised
she said. “I guess the rest is history.”
with Nancy. Devan returned home to
There are three boys in Nancy’s
“We got the kids nobody else want-
home, ages 16, 17 and 18. They all have
ed,” he said. “Dad was strict, but he
difficult pasts. They’re just three of the
was fair and honest.”
more than 30 teenage boys Nancy and
help. “I couldn’t ask for better parents,” Devan said. “Mom and dad were al-
Larry told the youth when they first
ways taking care of people, and there
Larry have fostered over the years. Lar-
came to the house that everyone was
was always someone at the house
ry, the oldest of eight children, wanted
treated the same. The first priority
when I was growing up.”
to help the toughest ones. Larry and
was safety and security.
Nancy’s biological children didn’t mind.
“I’d show them their room and
“The teenage boys, that’s who Larry
sometimes they’d come right back
At the heart of their success were Larry and Nancy’s complementary strengths, and love.
wanted to help,” Nancy said. “They
out, sometimes they’d stay in there
seemed to be the best fit for us. We
for a while,” Nancy said. “Then we’d
that he was very strict, but fair and
fostered juvenile justice children for
tell them, ‘You’re safe here. Whatever
consistent with all the children,”
a very long time. Some of them were
happened to you is in the past, and it
Nancy said. “He wouldn’t lie to them.
very difficult.”
won’t happen here.”
Granted, we had older boys, but they
Devan, their youngest biological son,
“What made us a good team was
respected him for the way he treated
was more succinct. continued on page 6
ROBERT PREPARES FOR COLLEGE Robert’s had a big summer. He attended a leadership forum at Disneyworld, attended his high school prom, became a Christian and graduated high school. He’s also narrowed his college choices for the fall. Robert has been staying with Nancy and Larry for the past few months. Their home had a big effect on him. “Before, I wasn’t really confident,” he said. “But they accepted me and I felt more at ease. I could be myself.” Larry recently passed away, and Robert’s more committed to helping the family stay successful, including helping Robert with his TL specialist, Cassie
continued on page 6 5
LARRY from page 5 them.” “She’s the best mom I’ve had,” one
thought about fostering children many
and most important, letting them
years before, but they wanted to wait
find their own way while having a
until their children were older. Devan
safe place to stay. Larry’s passing has
was a senior in high school when Larry
brought the family closer, but it’s also
was first diagnosed. Now the family is
strengthened Nancy’s commitment to
stronger and more committed to one
helping children.
another.
foster youth said.
“I don’t think they know how much
“These kids are like brothers to me,”
“Mom’s better at sugar-coating
they really help just being here and
things,” another said. “She’s very
Devan said, acknowledging the three
helping to get through this time,” she
comforting and motherly. She listens,
youth in their home. “They help out
said. “We’re just plain old people. But
doesn’t judge and genuinely cares
with the martial arts center and help
so many kids need somebody to be
about you.”
around the home.”
good to them and be there for them.”
The family spoke often about the
Devan’s move back home has been good for the children and her, Nancy
inevitable. “We knew cancer would eventually get Larry, and I knew the children
In addition to the family, Larry will also be missed at Youth Villages.
said.
“What an honor it was to know him
“It’s just the same as any home,” she
and serve with him,” said Julie Bau-
were wondering what would happen,”
said. “They tried me a little bit to see
man, treatment foster care supervisor
Nancy said. “I brought it up one day
what they could get away with, but De-
in Youth Villages’ Knoxville office.
and told them odds are Larry’s not go-
van’s stepped up to help. They really
ing to live a long time, you never know,
love Devan.”
Hilary Campbell, placement specialist for the East Region, said: “After
but I’m still going to be a foster parent.
Nancy’s oldest son is in the Air
“I’m not giving you kids back. When
Force. Nancy said Larry was a tire-
one of the boys in Larry and Nancy’s
less advocate for the children, going
care how he was doing. He said, ‘OK
to court on their behalf, cooking for
… well, not good … I mean, I just lost
them, helping them, coaching them
my dad.’”
you’re family, you pull together.” Many of their former foster children come back to visit. Nancy and Larry
READY FOR COLLEGE AND INDEPENDENCE from page 3
learning of Larry’s passing, I asked
recently began offering ad-
the TL program. She filled
ditional support for youth
in for another employee by
in the transitional living
transporting Robert a few
program who plan to go to
months before. “We hit it off right away,”
with the family business, a
a good start on adulthood in
mixed martial arts school
the crucial years between
Cassie and Robert visit
Cassie said. “We found that
run by Devan, Larry and
age 17 and 22. Transitional
regularly and talk nearly
we have quite a bit in com-
Nancy’s youngest biologi-
living specialists help young
every day. Robert also
mon. When Robert came
cal son. But Robert’s circle
people learn to deal with the
credits his foster home for
to TL, we didn’t have to go
of help doesn’t end with
minor and major problems
getting him on this path to a
through that orientation
his family. Robert’s par-
that come with adulthood.
brighter future.
period because we already
ticipating in Youth Villages’
They help participants find
transitional living program.
housing and health services,
the world,” he said. “We do
Cassie Mitchell is his TL
learn how to access trans-
everything together. Six
specialist.
portation and meet their
months ago I wasn’t like I
structure in place, Robert is
basic needs. Counselors
am now.”
excited about his future.
“Cassie’s the biggest
college.
“It’s the best home in
Robert’s spent many years
knew each other pretty well.” And with a support
“I’ve gotten a lot out of the
help,” Robert said. “We’re
teach life skills like budget-
working on time manage-
ing, menu planning and
ment skills and researching
grocery shopping. Young
He was adopted once
colleges. She’s helping me
people in the transitional
before, but his adoptive
for me. The support I’ve
with financial aid paper-
living program set education
parent terminated rights.
received from home and
work for school.”
and career goals.
He has a history of physi-
from Cassie has allowed me
in foster care.
past six months,” Robert said. “It’s been a lot of firsts
cal aggression and other
to do it, to stretch out and
transitional living program
of the second group of YV
behaviors. Cassie met
do things I didn’t think I’d
in 1999 to help children get
Scholars. Youth Villages
Robert before he enrolled in
be able to do.”
Youth Villages began a
6
Robert is also a member
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Become a force for families
There are numerous ways to help. Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the more than 450 children we help every day. Please call or e-mail me to find out how to help.
Thinking of a planned gift? There are as many different ways to support Youth Villages as there are needs for your support. If you are new to the concept of planned giving, please click Donate on www.YouthVillages.org and then go to the Planned Giving website for information on wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance and charitable lead trusts.
Gary Johnson
Resources there include definitions, wording for wills,
Development Manager
stories of how instruments are created and much more.
865-560-2075
You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to
gary.johnson@youthvillages.org
see what a planned gift would mean in your unique circumstances. For information, contact Gary Johnson at 865-560-2075 or e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org.
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Youth Villages hosts CEO breakfast Youth Villages in Knoxville recently
in foster care and how Youth Villages has
hosted a CEO breakfast at Sequoyah Grill
helped her since aging out of state custody,
in Bearden Village. Bryan Jordan, CEO
including finding a job, a place to live and
of First Horizon and Youth Villages board
many other requirements of independent
member, spoke to 20 of Knoxville’s promi-
living.
nent leaders about responsible community
Attendees were also shown how they
investment. Youth Villages CEO Pat Lawler
could help Youth Villages through a dona-
also showed a brief video of Youth Villages’
tion or volunteer opportunity.
work to help at-risk children. In addition. Youth Villages Transitional Living Specialist A’lana Rodgers interviewed Carom, a young adult in the TL program. Carom shared her story of growing up
7
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
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New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Managing Editor: Gary Johnson Associate Editor: Chris Pennington Please e-mail gary.johnson@youthvillages.org or call 865-560-2075 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective proNYHTZ HUK ZLY]PJLZ [V OLSW LTV[PVUHSS` [YV\ISLK JOPSKYLU HUK [OLPY MHTPSPLZ ;OL WYP]H[L UVUWYVÄ[ VYNHUPaH[PVU WYV]PKLZ a fully integrated continuum of services, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care and adoption, mentoring and a transitional living program for young adults aging out of foster care.