Bemis committed to East Tennessee youth ... 3
Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee
Loftons make room for one more ... 6
Youth Villages begins services in Oklahoma ... 3
Fall 2014
Great expectations
Tabitha sets new standards for herself and reaps the benefits of hard work — page 4
Caleb’s last, last chance After growing up in foster care, Caleb finally finds forever home — page 5
Johnson City Morristown
A message from our director
Knoxville
TENN.
Chattanooga
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bryan Jordan, Chairman
Clarksville
Bill Cookeville Giles, Vice Chairman Nashville Dickson Matthew Tarkenton, Secretary
The challenge for you isn’t the children
TENN.
Linden
If you’re a parent, you have more than likely witnessed how resilient a child
Paul Bower, Treasurer Columbia Marietta Davis Judith Edge Nicholas R. Ehlen Jack A. Eiferman Willie Gregory
can be. Conversely, you’ve also probably experienced how challenging children Paris
Joanna Jacobson
can be.
Karole Lloyd
Dyersburg
TENN. This newsletter highlights some of those challenges and shows how, given Jackson
Mark Medford
an opportunity and support, children can bounce back from traumatic
Johnny Pitts
environments and succeed.
Pat Ritz
Memphis
Tabitha often stayed home from school so she could protect her younger siblings from a home environment of abuse and neglect. Motivated by her younger sister, she told a school counselor, who had the
Michael Rose Richard W. Talkov Scotland Thede
children taken from the home. The youth were placed with an outstanding
David Tyler
Youth Villages foster family, where the children began to thrive. Tabitha began
Chip Wade
participating in our transitional living program. Through intense therapy, Tabitha began turning her life around. She got a job and began college. She
Patrick Lawler, CEO
recently purchased her car outright and is now participating in Youth Villages’
Mike Bruns, Chairman Emeritus
YV Scholars program. Caleb went through foster home after foster home, even, he said, having an adoption fail. He couldn’t remember being in his biological home and had disrupted so many foster homes, he had run out of options. In fact, he was close to being placed in a residential facility until he spent a weekend in the foster home of Kristen and Daniel Davis. They showed him unconditional love and support, and because he was an older teen, they let him make his own decisions. Caleb quickly bonded with Brian, another youth in the home, and a family began to take shape. Both Tabitha and Caleb experienced something many other youth do daily in East Tennessee. Read their stories about how a foster family changed everything for these youth. I cannot express how much our foster families mean to us, because it is through their work that I’m able to share the stories of youth like Tabitha and Caleb. Thank you for supporting Youth Villages.
Amanda Tillman Director of East Tennessee 865-560-2550 amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org
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CONTACT US Chattanooga 6236 Air Park Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 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
*82.7% of youth were in state custody
Program Success at admission to the program.
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.
MEET KATHIE BEMIS
EAST TENNESSEE PROGRAM SUCCESS 100
Kathie Bemis has worked with some of the toughest youth who come through the
Outcomes
Knox County Juvenile Court
At One One-Year Year Post Post-Discharge Discharge
for nearly 27 years. Since collaborating with Youth Villages
80
91% In school or graduated
20
85% No involvement with the law
40
At home with family
60
85%
nine years ago, she has helped and supported these youth. Melissa Jackson-Wade, assistant director of Youth Villages’ Intercept intensive in-home services for East Tennessee, praised Bemis’ commitment to helping the youth. “She’s firm with the youth,” Jackson-Wade said. “But she always tries to help and keep them safe.”
0 The graph above represents the status of East Tennessee youth at one year after discharge through June 2014. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 48 percent.
YOUTH VILLAGES EXPANDS TO OKLAHOMA Youth Villages began helping children and families in Oklahoma, opening an office in Tulsa in October. Youth Villages Oklahoma will provide Intercept® inten-
continued on page 7
TL STUDY CONCLUDES WITH FAVORABLE OUTLOOK OF PROGRAM The first results from a randomized study of Youth Villages’ transitional living services point toward a valid
sive in-home services to 40 children and families in Tulsa
evaluation of the program,
through a partnership with the Oklahoma Department
said Michelle Manno, research
of Human Services and the George Kaiser Family Foun-
associate with MDRC, the
dation. Funding for the start-up of the Tulsa office was
national social research agency
provided by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family
conducting the study.
Foundation. “We are excited about this new and innovative partner-
moving into adulthood IMPLEMENTATION FINDINGS FROM THE YOUTH VILLAGES TRANSITIONAL LIVING EVALUATION
Michelle Manno Erin Jacobs Julianna Alson Melanie Skemer March 2014
“Our report shows that the transitional living program in Tennessee has been
ship between the George Kaiser Family Foundation, DHS
implemented as we would have expected,” she said.
and Youth Villages,” said DHS Director Ed Lake. “This
MDRC’s implementation and participation findings are
is another opportunity to bring a nationally recognized
published in a 124-page report, Moving Into Adulthood.
agency with a proven program to Oklahoma to support
The first impact results from the study should be
our efforts in creating a comprehensive and effective child
available in mid-2015. Those results will show if the
welfare system.”
program is effective as compared to usual services for
Jessica Moore, a Tulsa native and resident, leads the new office as regional supervisor. The Youth Villages Tulsa
former foster children in Tennessee. The program helps youth who were formerly in foster
office will employ about 12 staff members of mostly family
care, the juvenile justice system or who otherwise find
intervention specialists.
themselves unprepared for adult life and need help making the transition to adulthood.
Fall 2014
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The Youth Villages transitional living program provides young adults leaving state custody the intensive support and guidance they need to make a successful transition to adulthood. The program helps young people learn to deal with the minor and major problems that come with adulthood. Specialists help participants find housing and health services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. They teach life skills like time management, budgeting, menu planning and grocery shopping. Tabitha stands beside her new car she recently purchased.
TABITHA’S CHANGING EXPECTATIONS Your support has allowed the most statistically vulnerable youth in the nation today make a positive start on adulthood. Across the state, about 600 youth are helped by Youth Villages’ transitional living program each day.
Tabitha expects good things to happen. More importantly, she expects good things to happen to her. “I think I’m ready to receive good things and accept accomplishments,” she said. “I’ve done a lot better for myself lately.”
go into the social work field.
Tabitha grew up abusing drugs with
“When she first started, we went
Tabitha has come a long way in just a few short years. She regularly visits
her family. She didn’t go to school,
over those things youth face transi-
her sisters, who were adopted by
choosing to stay home to protect her
tioning to adulthood,” said Audrey
their foster parents. She reads a lot
younger sisters from the abuse of
Covington, TL specialist. “But the
and carries herself with more confi-
their parents. At age 17, Tabitha told
effects of her environment were
dence and assurance.
a school counselor about her situa-
still there. It was a big step for her
tion, and the girls were taken from
to get out there and begin making a
the home. Her parents were recently
life. Tabitha needed consistency and
charged and faced a sentencing hear-
needed to know she had support.”
ing. Tabitha, now almost 20, was in the court room.
Tabitha recently purchased a car. She also maintains a job and full
“I wanted to be there,” she said. “I
course load at school. She was named
wanted to be able to close the door on
a YV Scholar, where youth in the TL
that chapter of my life.”
program receive extra support for
Her foster home was fantastic.
“She wants to help younger people going through what she did,” Audrey said. “She’s gone from being a victim to learning how to be an advocate.”
college provided they maintain rigid
There, she was allowed to be a teen-
academic and community service
ager and received positive attention.
requirements.
She finished high school and entered
“Now we’re focused on balancing
“The interview was pretty scary, but it’s cool to be a YV Scholar,” Tabitha
Youth Villages’ transitional living
all the different aspects of her life,”
said. “Now, I feel like I can accomplish
program, where she began to thrive.
Audrey said. “We still have to go over
whatever I set my mind to. No girl
She found a job, learned money man-
coping skills and work through her
should have to go through what I did,
agement and got an apartment. She
past. We also work on self esteem and
and I want to be in a position to help
enrolled in college and would like to
maintaining healthy relationships.”
those who have.”
4 Fall 2014
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East Tennessee
We began Youth Villages’ adoption program in 1999 as a natural extension of our treatment foster care program. For some people, fostering a child with special needs is the first step toward adoption. Many of our foster parents adopt the children in their homes when they become eligible for adoption. Other parents come to Youth Villages with adoption as their immediate goal.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST Caleb finds forever family as final option Caleb got one more last chance. It wouldn’t have happened if Kristen and Daniel Davis had given up. “Caleb had disrupted just about every foster home in the area,” said Amber Street, Youth Villages regional supervisor. “In every home, he was testing the rules and constantly push-
Caleb would like to enter the social work field and help children in situations similar to his.
Daniel and Kristen knew
adoption,” Kristen said.
pendent. They were aware
he went to Kristen and Dan-
they wanted to adopt Caleb
“Everything happened so
of what he was doing and
iel’s home for a weekend
that first day he came in.
fast, and there was so much
where he was, but they gave
“We wanted to foster
emotion. But we’re not ones
him the freedom to make his own choices.
ing those boundaries. Then
respite visit.”
teenagers,” Kristen said.
to give up. With Caleb, it
in 15 foster homes since he
“We wanted the children
was like, ‘Hey dude, you’re
was 3 months old. Growing
who were old enough to
not going to walk away —
Caleb was at a foster home
up, he was bullied quite a bit
know they’d spent all their
when we’re angry about
right before coming here,”
and never had any friends.
chances, but at the same
something we communi-
Kristen said. “But before
He had a prior adoption
time knew they needed
cate.’”
that, I think a lot of people
that failed.
just one more. We saw that
Caleb, 18, said he’s been
“Some of Caleb’s foster care homes were not good,”
Daniel and Kristen knew
“It began to change when
did too much for him and
when Caleb came through
what Caleb had been
didn’t let him make his own
the door.”
through, and it tempered
decisions. Caleb’s a young
the way they treated him.
man and he’s capable of
Amber said. “But his behav-
They were fostering one
ior also contributed to many
other teenager, Brian, who
Lessons learned in their
figuring things out for him-
of his disruptions.”
became fast friends with
home complemented those
self.”
Caleb. Soon, their conversa-
given to Caleb from other
The Davises challenged
Caleb is the first to admit he
tions drifted toward adop-
area foster homes where
Caleb to succeed at school,
had a lot of pent-up emo-
tion. It was finalized soon
he’d had good experiences.
then sat back and let him
tions and didn’t know how
after when Caleb was 17.
He learned coping and
figure out for himself that,
to cope with what he was
His behavior had changed,
anger management skills
yes, he could maintain good
feeling. To compound all
but he still tested his new
from Youth Villages’ staff,
grades. He reconnected
of this, he was constantly
parents.
and the Davises also em-
with former foster parents
That included fighting.
enrolling in new schools, as
“We had some tough
many as five over two years.
times, especially after the
powered Caleb to make his continued on page 7
own choices and be inde-
Fall 2014
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B
eing a foster parent is a calling. For a child, there’s nothing more important than having a place to call home, a family to love and parents who believe in them. As a foster parent, you can transform the life of a child simply by becoming the first person to have faith in her, the first person to care where he is, the first person to believe in what she can become. If you have enough love in your heart for a child who desperately needs it, please help a child find the way home. Call 877-983-6786 to learn more about foster parenting.
ONE MORE IS GOOD FOR GREG AND THE LOFTONS Delorse and Sherman Lofton have made a life’s work out of helping children. They have an ability to calm even the most difficult children, and for nearly 30 years, those who’ve stayed with the Loftons as foster children are better for it. Originally from Michigan, where the couple fostered numerous children, they relocated to East Tennessee, where their passion to help children was rekindled after they saw a need. Greg, center, on the couch with Delorse and Sherman Lofton
A little more than two years ago Greg came into
college or learn a trade,”
their home. Greg was placed in numerous homes and institutions before be-
Greg, 14, had been in 22 different foster homes
ing placed with the Loftons. “When Greg came in,
Delorse said. “We want him to strive to be someone and do something.” Greg enjoys playing video
wanted. But we don’t put up
lem for him to be at other
games and would like to de-
he was convinced that he
with that type of behavior
homes.”
sign them in the future. The
needed to go to the behav-
and he knew that also. He
ioral hospital,” Delorse said.
found out there are ways to
Loftons, Greg, 14, had been
himself. Just like the many
“I refused to accept that as a
behave and he knows his
in 22 different foster homes.
foster children who came
reason for his behavior and
boundaries.”
told him as much.”
Sherman said Greg has
The Lofton home was safe
Before staying with the
“It’s really good here,”
Loftons allow Greg to be
before Greg, the Loftons
Greg said. “I like it. We have
don’t try to change him. In
done a lot of work, and
family time, watch televi-
Greg’s case, they empower
and stable. Delorse and
after seeing how much he’d
sion together and do other
him to make his own deci-
Sherman held Greg ac-
grown in their care, they de-
fun things.”
sions.
countable for his behavior
cided to consider adoption.
at home and at school, and
“We didn’t want to adopt,”
When they asked Greg
“We just do the best we
about being adopted, he
can and let the kids be who
there were consequences
Sherman said. “We thought
didn’t respond. After a few
they are,” Sherman said.
when his behavior wasn’t up
we were getting out of the
weeks, Delorse just told him
“They follow rules, but we
to standards.
foster care business. We’re
they were adopting him.
want them to feel safe.
“I think there were places
getting older and wanted to
“Good,” he said.
In Greg’s case, even if he
that couldn’t control Greg
enjoy our later years. But
He was officially adopted
leaves when he turns 18,
and he knew that,” Delorse
through prayer and looking
after being in foster care in
there will always be a home
said. “He knew he could
at Greg’s history, we knew
their home for two years.
for him.”
throw a fit and get what he
that it would be a prob-
6 Fall 2014
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“We want him to go to
BEMIS PLACES A PRIORITY ON CHILDREN
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
from page 3
Become a force for families
Bemis loves working with youth, especially teens. “It’s a difficult time for them,” Bemis said. “They’re not a child, yet not an adult. I know they face inner struggles in addition to trauma and instability while growing up.” Bemis sets priorities to help make sure the youth in the most distress are helped as soon as possible. “Supportive organizations like Youth Villages really help,” she said. “The in-depth approach Youth Villages takes in working with my youth and myself has been invaluable.”
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 in East Tennessee. Please call or e-mail Youth Villages to find out how to help. 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E-475
The same goes for Jackson-Wade.
Knoxville, TN 37923
“We recently shared with her a case of an extraordinarily dif-
865-560-2550
ficult youth,” Jackson-Wade said. “Kathie went out of her way to develop alternatives for him and provide support through an extremely difficult time. We appreciate all she does for us, the community and the youth of Knox County.”
Thinking of a planned gift?
CALEB MAKING HIS WAY TOWARD SUCCESS from page 5
If you’re planning a gift in your will or trust for Youth Villages, you can find help on our website. Simply go to youthvil-
and mended many of those relationships. “We wanted him to stay connected to those who helped him in the past,” Kristen said. “Even though he’d burned some bridges, we wanted him to maintain those connections and keep those
lages.org/plannedgiving and you’re there. You will find an introduction to planned giving and
people in his life.” Talking to Caleb now, a high-school graduate soon to leave for
Steve Benskin
a category titled “How Can
Army basic training, you don’t get a clear picture of his journey,
I ...,” which lists all the vehicles included in
but you know it’s been a long one.
a plan, such as wills and bequests, gifts of
“Caleb is a leader,” Daniel said. “He has the ability to make
appreciated stock or gifts of real estate. In addition, there is a section on “why do I need
people feel really good about themselves.”
a will,” a glossary of terms, an estate intention
The energy he once used to disrupt and test others has become something positive that helps others. He recently told
form and much more. For information, please
his story to a group of foster parents who were graduating from
contact Steve Benskin at 901-251-4820 or e-
Parents as Tender Healers, their training class.
mail steve.benskin@youthvillages.org.
“He gives his testimony to youth groups,” Kristen said. “He doesn’t take things too seriously. He can be goofy and laugh, and
Stay in touch online
SPECS he makes other people laugh. It’s as if he takesYOUTUBE all theLOGO stress and
puts it to the side, and it’s a real strength.”
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more last chance. “Caleb’s success has really made me think,” Amber said. amount of care. We were ready to put him in a residential
www.youthvillages.org
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“I’m much more cautious about recommending the right
www.linkedin.com/company/youth-villages
facility and with the Davises, it was that one more chance he needed to begin again.”
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YOUTH VILLAGES 9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E-475 Knoxville, TN 37923 (Address Service Requested)
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than 22,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Jonesboro, Little Rock Florida: Lakeland, Miami Georgia: Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, Jeffersonville, Madison Massachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, Worcester Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville Oklahoma: Tulsa Oregon: Portland Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, Paris Washington, D.C.
New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages Please e-mail amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org or call 865-560-2550 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective local solutions to help children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families live successfully. We help more than 22,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family RestorationŽ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders.
Atlanta Douglasville
Georgia
Emily Acker
Kate Cantrell
YOUTH VILLAGES CHRIS CRYE MENTORING PROGRAM Patrick W. Lawler Chief Executive Officer pat.lawler@youthvillages.org 901-251-5000
Lori Casey
Senior Intensive Care Coordinator Lowell Community Service Agency
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Become a force for families There is no better time to be in fundraising than during the holidays! To see the outpouring of generosity from corporations and individuals alike is always humbling. This season, I have been truly moved by the selfless acts of kindness of our supporters.
HEDLINE 3 RED RED PULLQUOTE
BLUE HED HEADLINE 2 BRIEFS HED
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Because of the help of so many, more than 70 struggling families were able to put their stressors aside and create joyful holiday memories as a family.
Kristin Wright, Development Manager 781-937-7931, kristin.wright@youthvillages.org
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Message from our state manager PHOTO
LEDE STORY HED FAMILY VICTORIES
continued on page 7
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