Running to give other children a chance...3
Answering the call to help Mississippi children...5
Charting Youth Villages’ successful outcomes...3
Family Victories from Youth Villages Mississippi
Summer 2011
Mersediez With Youth Villages’ help, Mississippi girl is driven to be successful page 6
JOY FLOWS IN
Family therapist takes on many roles page 4
Hernando Tupelo
A Message
from Our Director
Greenwood Columbus
Mississippi Jackson
McComb
Meridian
Hattiesburg
Biloxi
Addressing a growing need to help families
YOUTH VILLAGES MISSISSIPPI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Dr. Michael Forster Kelly Riley Karla Steckler Tye Katy Creath
During the past few years, Youth Villages has experienced significant growth in Mississippi. That means we’ve been able to help more children and families live successfully. In fact, since 2001, Youth Villages Mississippi has helped more than 1,550 youth through our intensive in-home services programs, including Intercept, Family Preservation and MYPAC, more than 500 through our Tupelo and Jackson offices alone. Our staff go above and beyond to help ensure each child and family has the best opportunity to live successfully. You can get a good idea of how it works by reading about Joy Whitmore, one of our Jackson therapists whose past experiences shaped her future of making a difference for families. Also read about Mersediez and her mother’s work to overcome behavior issues and establish the relationship they both always wanted. You can also read about Jason, one of more than 750 children who received help through residential services at Youth Villages. He and his family are now receiving MYPAC services. He ran the Youth Villages 5K in Memphis this year with his mother to raise money for Youth Villages programs. In Jason’s words, he did it because Youth Villages helped him be successful, and he wanted to give back and help other children become successful. Through our many partnerships with state organizations and other groups, Youth Villages is having a tremendously positive impact on children and families in Mississippi. We’re excited to have the commitment and support of our Mississippi Leadership Council, which recently held its first meeting. We’re continuing our efforts to expand the council and look forward to the support of our community leaders to continue our work to help the children of Mississippi. More than 70 percent of youth discharged from our programs are at home with
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Bruns, Chairman Jim Parrish, Vice Chairman Paul Bower, Treasurer Jimmy Lackie, Secretary Jim Barton Jr. Eric Bolton Joyce Broffitt Kenneth Campbell Lewis Holland John Hutchins Joanna Jacobson Rev. Robert Earl Jones Bryan Jordan Ken May Mark Medford Johnny Pitts Ray Pohlman Jennifer Queen Ronnie Randall Matthew Tarkenton David Tyler Betsy Walkup George White Patrick Lawler, CEO
their families, and more than 90 percent are in school, have graduated from high school or are in GED classes. We couldn’t do this without our partners’ and communities’ support. So I thank you sincerely. Katja Russell Director of Programs in Mississippi and Texas katja.russell@youthvillages.org 601-572-3727 2
Youth Villages The Atrium Building 805 South Wheatley Street, Suite 240 Ridgeland, MS 39157 phone: 601-572-3700 fax: 601-572-3701
Program  Success
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MISSISSIPPI PROGRAM SUCCESS
Gretchen and Jason ran the 2011 Youth Villages 5K in Memphis to raise money for other children and families in Youth Villages’ programs.
The graph above represents where children are one year after being discharged from Youth Villages’ Intercept intensive in-home services.
RUNNING TO HELP OTHER CHILDREN BE A SUCCESS Two years ago, Jason ran the Youth Villages 5K as a mem-
MISSISSIPPI OFFICE LOCATIONS Biloxi
Jackson
1635 Popps Ferry Road
The Atrium Building
Suite E
805 South Wheatley Street
Biloxi, MS 39532
Suite 240
phone: 228-354-9700
Ridgeland, MS 39157
fax: 228-354-9701
phone: 601-572-3700 fax: 601-572-3701
Hattiesburg 116 North 40th Ave.
Tupelo
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
252 S. Veterans Boulevard
phone: 601-271-7600
Tupelo, MS 38804
fax: 601-271-7601
phone: 662-840-3008 fax: 662-841-0337
Hernando 1558 Monteith, Suites A+B
Columbus: 662-840-3008
Hernando, MS 38632
Greenwood: 601-572-3700
phone: 662-449-7440
Meridian: 601-572-3700
fax: 662-449-7441
McComb: 601-271-7600
ber of the Dogwood Campus runners. For the 2011 Youth Villages 5K, he ran it as a giver. His father and sisters cheered him on. Completing the race with his mother, Jason, 14, raised money for Youth Villages through a tribute page at YouthVillages.org. For Jason and his family, it’s a way to reconnect with friends and give something back to an organization that continues to help them. “We were thinking about the 5K and wanted to do it again,� Jason said. “I was successful going through Youth Villages’ program, and I want to raise money to help make more kids successful.� Jason’s mother, Gretchen, wrote on his tribute page: “Over the past two years, Youth Villages has been a gift to our family and has rescued us from the brink of disaster as a family. My son has benefitted from both residential and outpatient support provided for by Youth Villages. My son, Jason, has decided that he wants to be a part of giving back to others, and we are going to go to Memphis to run this race in the spring. We are asking all of our family and friends to help support Jason’s efforts by supporting this fund.� Jason and his family receive MYPAC services. Primary continued on page 7 3
JOY FLOWS IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI Therapist takes on many roles to help families be successful Joy Whitmore enjoys helping others. This morning she’s meeting with Madeline in Vicksburg to talk about Madeline’s daughter, Barbara. It’s one of three families she’ll meet with today. “Money is tight with this family, so we work on budgeting issues some and also work on solutions for Barbara’s behavior,” she said. “Recently, I came over here to help Madeline with a yard sale and we’re trying to find other ways to supplement the family’s income.” Joy’s welcomed as if she were an old friend or member of the family. She’s also spoken to like one.
Youth Villages MYPAC Therapist Joy Whitmore speaks with Madeline, left, during an individual counseling session. Whitmore worked with Madeline and Madeline’s daughter, Barbara. Whitmore is passionate about her work, and describes it as something with “a real sense of purpose.”
The visit is longer than most – Barbara is at school, and Joy has an opportunity to further discuss the fam-
“I wanted to be in a job where I really help peo-
ily’s progress. Madeline discusses her concerns and fears for the future of her 14-year-old daughter and restor-
ple and interact directly
ing a relationship.
with them,” she said. “I
eline said. “People want peace in their
think people who do this
home.”
respond to a different
to better address behaviors in the
and challenged her to do more. In
calling. There’s a real
home. Joy leaves after more than an
many ways, experiencing that support
hour at the home. She challenges
during her difficult times frames how
sense of purpose to this
Madeline with assignments to help
Joy deals with her families as a thera-
work, and we do what-
transition the family to a more stable,
pist. Her social worker attended her
peaceful home.
college graduations and still checks in
ever needs to be done to help.”
4
“I’m not sure what I can do,” Mad-
They discuss options and scenarios
Joy sees eight families once or twice a week, depending upon what
But her social worker stayed involved
at least monthly. “You’re a surrogate parent, coach,
the families feel they need. Having
cheerleader and friend to your fami-
entered the foster care system herself
lies,” Joy said. “Sometimes you have to
at 16 after her grandmother passed
tell them what they don’t want to hear.
away, she has a special perspective on
You have to be aggressive sometimes,
family needs. She lived in foster and
but it has to be from a good place in
group homes all over East Tennessee.
your heart.”
ANSWERING THE CALL TO HELP CHILDREN Foster family adopts two, fosters four more siblings She’d had enough. Jennifer was tired of people asking “Why?” “I was at a store one day and complained to a lady about it,” Jennifer said. “She told me next time I was asked why I was a foster parent to reply, ‘Why aren’t you? Why don’t you do it?’” Jennifer and Brett have a full house, and they make it work. They adopted two of their foster children who are 12 and 14. A little more than a year ago, they took in four more children, ages 2, 4, 5 and 8.
“It’s a house of perpetual motion,” Brett said. “We have six children, four dogs, two cats and a freezer full of fish
Courtney, left, and her sister, Haley, front, stand with Jennifer and Brett. The family adopted Courtney and her sister, and now foster four other siblings.
breakfast together. All the children
every other family member,” Jennifer
sticks. It sounds like a
help maintain the home however they
said. “They begin to feel safe and they
lot, but we’re all a team,
are capable, from cleaning dishes to
start to develop and grow. You have to
picking up toys. But the new experi-
have a strong home and a strong mar-
and we all manage it
ences aren’t limited to household
riage and be the positive model for
well. I can’t imagine not
chores. Children and foster parents
them. Many times, foster parents are
alike experience and re-experience
the first positive family type of influ-
the joys of a first visit to the zoo, or
ence.”
having children in the house.”
sharing a special sweet treat. “We take so many little things for
Courtney was only supposed to spend the weekend a few years ago.
granted,” Brett said. “Our children
At first, she said she was scared they
hadn’t eaten a grilled steak or eaten a
would be horrible foster parents. But
ter parenting. Jennifer always wanted
taco. They didn’t know what a milk-
that weekend turned into an adop-
to help children. With the newest addi-
shake was.”
tion for Courtney and her sister. And
The family is a true advocate for fos-
tions, the focus is first on consistency and stability. “The children need to first under-
It’s work, as raising children in any situation would be. But Jennifer and
school at the same school she finished
Brett still make time for themselves
the year before.
stand they have a safe place to stay,”
with a weekly date night. They rely on
Jennifer said. “They also need consis-
an extensive support network of reli-
tency – a consistent routine, consistent
able family and neighbors to help out
rules and consistent responses to their
when help is needed.
actions, good or bad.” The family begins each day with
for the first time, Courtney, 12, began
“The children see the support and operate in the house the same as
Courtney already plans to be a foster parent, too. “You want to be a family that helps people,” Brett said. “To see our children develop and experience things, it’s amazing to be a part of that.” 5
MERSEDIEZ AND MICHELLE HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE TOGETHER Mersediez and her mom, Michelle, finally have the relationship they always wanted. They talk, laugh, roll each other’s hair and share both the trivial and important events in their lives with each other. Sometimes, Mersediez, who leads the band at her high school, plays the flute for her mom. She plays so beautifully, it can make her mom cry. But mom and daughter weren’t always so close. Just a couple of years ago, being a family could be painful. There were loud arguments, plenty of them. Mersediez’s report cards listed one failing grade after another, an alphabet of
Mersediez, center, and her mother, Michelle, have reconnected. With the assistance of Tiffany Ross, Youth Villages staff member in the Jackson office, Mersediez’s grades have improved and she is participating in her school’s band, where she is principal flutist.
only Ds and Fs. There were complaints by Mersediez’s
their wraparound program.
Youth Villages’ MYPAC
her husband, Mersediez’s
MYPAC – Mississippi
therapists provide therapy,
stepfather, had just split up,
and suspensions. Once, she
Youth Programs Around
primary service coordina-
and the family had moved
cut another student’s hair
the Clock – is a unique pro-
tors and wraparound teams
out of a dilapidated house
in a fit of anger and many
gram that allows families
also help families deal with
and a dangerous neighbor-
times, she let her teachers
to choose from a number of
other pressing issues, such
hood into a friend’s house.
and principal know exactly
private providers that offer
as difficult financial situa-
what she was thinking. Her
intensive case management
tions, finding stable and af-
their own place, and mom
grandmother no longer
and wraparound and all
fordable housing, handling
needed a job,” Tiffany said.
visited the family because
the additional help a family
legal trouble, finding better-
“She had just lost her job,
she could not deal with
may need through a single
paying jobs and accessing
and their financial situation
Mersediez’s behavior and
provider. Youth Villages,
resources and much more.
was dire.”
her constant running away
which has offered intensive
from home.
in-home services to emo-
her daughter any way she
on their living situation,
tionally and behaviorally
could made the job easier
Tiffany began talking with
daughter, Michelle referred
troubled children and their
for Tiffany Ross, a Youth Vil-
Mersediez, trying to un-
her to a children’s hospital
families in Mississippi since
lages staff member working
derstand where her anger
and residential treatment.
1996, became a MYPAC
out of the Youth Villages
stemmed from and how
When Mersediez ran away
provider when the program
Jackson office. She didn’t
things could be improved.
again, mom took her to
started in 2007. To effec-
have to convince Michelle
court. A probation officer
tively help children, Youth
that the best way to help
goals, goal-setting and
suggested the family try
Villages’ philosophy is that
Mersediez was by involving
breaking goals down into
Youth Villages, one of the
the entire family needs
the entire family.
smaller steps,” Tiffany said.
MYPAC providers in Mis-
to be helped to overcome
sissippi that offers intensive
any obstacles in the way of
the family in their tempo-
family counseling as part of
the family’s success. While
rary home. Michelle and
school about her behavior
Wanting help for her
6
Michelle’s desire to help
Tiffany started by visiting
“The family needed
While working with mom
“We talked about her
“At first, she wasn’t thinkcontinued on page 7
GIVING BACK: JASON RUNS TO HELP OTHER CHILDREN SUCCEED from page 3
Service Coordinator Jessica Cochran visits each week and works with Jason on impulse control and respecting
the bassoon in the school band. “Having Jessica come in the home helped immensely,” Gretchen said.
CONTRIBUTIONS Thanks to our
many supporters The following donors made gifts to
boundaries. She helps the family with
“We were too close to see how to help.
Youth Villages between April 1 and
identifying triggers to Jason’s behavior.
Having a third person come in the
Dec. 31, 2010. The board of directors
home helped to not only show us and
and staff of Youth Villages gratefully
residential facility for a little while,”
Jason how to handle his issues, but also
acknowledge these thoughtful con-
Gretchen said. “But I like the idea of
identify what triggers the behavior and
tributions. If you made a contribution
being in the home, and Jessica and
how to deal with it.
during this time but it is not listed,
“I knew Jason needed to be in a
Jason have a great relationship.” In addition to running, Jason enjoys
“She helped us be more of a family
ment department at 601-572-3700.
again.”
playing football and fishing. He plays
MERSEDIEZ IS ‘A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CHILD’ from page 6 ing about college, but then everything
home in a different town and better
changed.”
neighborhood. Mersediez’s report
Mersediez slowly started opening
cards started showing entirely dif-
up. She had not been getting along
ferent letters – As and Bs – and she
with her stepfather and resented his
began making the president’s list.
stern parenting style. Now that he had
Mersediez loved band, and Tiffany
left, Mersediez was ready to rebuild
and Michelle helped her become even
her relationship with her mom.
more involved. Mersediez, who plays
There were other things that had
the flute, moved up to first chair and
happened. Once, Mersediez was
band leader, and started playing the
attacked in her neighborhood. Fear-
cello as well. Her brother, Michael, 16,
ing for the family’s safety, the attack
also joined the band, playing drums.
prompted Michelle to move the family
All summer long, Mersediez partici-
to her friend’s house.
pated in band camp. Every day after
Mersediez’s anger, which she used
school, she practices. There are no
to unleash often, eventually faded
more suspensions, there’s no more
away. Mom had always longed to pro-
running away and there’s no more
tect her daughter and to communi-
talking back to teachers.
cate with her. Now, they were starting
Mersediez led her school’s band in
to learn how to communicate with
the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade,
each other.
and she has her future plans mapped
“Michelle had had a tough youth,
out. She wants to go to college and
and she wanted something differ-
become a veterinarian. She hopes for
ent for Mersediez,” Tiffany said. “She
a band scholarship.
didn’t want her daughter to follow in
“She is a happy child now, always
her footsteps and become pregnant
smiling and goofing off,” her mom
and drop out of school. But mom
said. “She is a totally different child.
needed to learn to really listen to
She made a 360-degree turn. I am
Mersediez instead of just trying to
so proud of her. She is committed to
protect her.”
band, and she is learning, and I love
The family eventually found a new
please call the Youth Villages develop-
that. I am so proud of my little girl.”
YV Champion for Children ($1,000 - $2,499) ,YNVU 0UJ VM 1HJRZVU
YV Leader ($500 - $999)
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID YOUTH VILLAGES
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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.