SPRING
New
HEIGHTS FAMILY VICTORIES FROM YOUTH VILLAGES
2021
UPDATE
FROM YOUTH VILLAGES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The weather is warming up and spring is officially here. It’s hard to believe that we are over one year into the pandemic. The challenges of COVID-19 have increased the need for evidence-based programs like Intercept® and LifeSet™, and the commonwealth and state of New Hampshire continue to look to our essential staff as a trusted resource for the families who need the most help during this time. In 2020, more young people needed our services than ever before. We saw unprecedented demand and experienced a 20% growth of our overall services. With this surge in growth, we need your help to impact the lives of kids, families and young adults. I’d like to invite you to join us in the 2021 Spring Challenge to raise $1 million for our LifeSet program. Every dollar raised will be doubled with a matching gift from our local board. With your help, we can give more young adults access to the life-changing services of LifeSet. These young adults don’t have a consistent support system to rely on and YOU can help by giving them the gift of a good start. You can make a difference by giving a gift at youthvillages.org/ springchallenge and challenging your family and friends to help us provide young adults with access to the critical services of LifeSet. Thank you for your commitment to our mission. Your compassion helps us improve outcomes for kids and young adults and allows them to achieve the successful futures that they deserve. We are incredibly grateful for the difference you make in the lives of those we serve.
Massachusetts & New Hampshire Advisory Board Peter Campanella, Chair Amy Crate Amanda Eisel Paul Grogan Ryan Hayden Joanna Jacobson Beth Klarman Sharon Liszanckie Pamela Giasson Lynch Yvette Lowenthal-Mulderry Mark O’Donnell Helen Chin Schlichte Kevin Tabb Wendy Vincent Pramila Yadav
STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE twitter.com/youthvillages facebook.com/youthvillages instagram.com/youthvillages linkedin.com/company/ youth-villages youtube.com/youthvillages
How are we doing? Matt Stone EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE matthew.stone@youthvillages.org 781-937-7917
We’d love to hear feedback from you, so we can continue to improve and give you content you enjoy. Use this QR code to complete our survey.
YOUTHVILLAGES.ORG
2
© 2021 Youth Villages, Inc. All rights reserved.
BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES STUDIES SHOW EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERCEPT PROGRAM
In 1995, Youth Villages began providing intensive help for children with emotional and behavioral issues and their families through Intercept, intensive in-home services. Over the years, the program has helped more than 43,000 children from birth to age 18 and demonstrated high success rates. Two important recent studies have further shown the program’s impact and allowed the program to receive a national rating that may make it available to more families who need it. The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse announced recently that the Youth Villages Intercept program model is rated as “supported” after two studies from the Center for State Childhood Data at the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall showed the program had positive impacts on the use of foster care. This means the program can be used by states through federal funding provided by the Family First Prevention Services Act passed by Congress in 2018. “This is a milestone for Intercept and Youth Villages,” said Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler. “More than 30 years ago, we made providing intensive help for families the center of what we do. We’re pleased that Intercept has been recognized as one of the first 10 In-Home/Parent-Skill programs in the country to receive a favorable rating.” Two separate evaluations of Intercept were conducted using data made available by the state of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. In the first, researchers found that Intercept reduces the chances of out-of-home placement by 53% following an abuse or neglect investigation. The effect of Intercept is sustained at six and 12 months after services end. In the second, the data showed the odds of achieving permanency were approximately 24% higher for children receiving Intercept than a comparison group. Intercept provides intensive in-home services and works in all the systems that surround the child: the family, school, neighborhood and peer group. The Intercept program was launched in Memphis and became an integral part of child
welfare reform in the state of Tennessee. Youth Villages expanded the model, and it is now being implemented in 13 states. The Clearinghouse was established by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct an objective and transparent review of research on programs and services intended to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements. It determines what services can be funded under the Family First Prevention Services Act. “The Clearinghouse is helping states identify evidencebased interventions that really work to strengthen and restore struggling families,” Lawler said. “It is a transformational moment for child welfare in this country.”
YOUTH VILLAGES 2020
PROGRAM SUCCESS ONE YEAR AFTER DISCHARGE AT HOME
NO TROUBLE
IN SCHOOL
WITH FAMILY
WITH THE LAW
OR GRADUATED
87%
90%
95%
Includes only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 45% (2,482 out of 5,510).
3
Julia packaged Valentine’s Day treats as part of her volunteer duties.
JULIA BEATS THE ODDS Julia is a 19 year old in our LifeSet program who has struggled with anxiety her entire life. In middle school, the signs and symptoms began to manifest physically and significantly impacted her life. Julia’s anxiety would get so bad that she would shake uncontrollably, unable to stop. In her small school, kids spread rumors and made fun of her for having frequent anxiety attacks.
The stress and embarrassment of dealing with the kids at school led to struggles with suicidal thoughts. She engaged in self-harming behaviors and started cutting herself. Kids at school found out Julia was cutting herself and isolated her even more. She felt completely alone.
4
Over the next four years, Julia was hospitalized for her mental health 26 times. On top of her anxiety, she was diagnosed with depression, and her parents constantly worried she would hurt herself. Her parents struggled with
how to deal with Julia’s diagnoses. The conflict got so bad at home that Julia’s parents felt their only choice was to ask her to leave. Luckily, she was able to stay with a friend’s family. While living with her friend’s family, Julia was hospitalized again. This was her first hospitalization on an adult unit, and she found it incredibly difficult. “My most recent hospitalization was on an adult unit and that was really scary, Julia said. “I felt really unsafe and that was the thing that made me decide to get better.” Julia continues on page 8
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults, or 18% of the population, age 18 and older.
Joshua couldn’t stop smiling thanks to our generous Holiday Heroes.
HOLIDAY HEROES SERVE RECORD NUMBER OF KIDS
Last year was tough for the young people and families in Youth Villages’ programs. The jobs that typically brought in minimum wage weren’t giving many hours, and the careers that once provided a livelihood for many families disappeared. Many of the families in our program struggled to put food on the table and pay their bills. And when it came to holiday gifts, those were often out of the question. While the holidays have come and gone, we want to recognize the generosity of the season. Each year, Youth Villages relies on Holiday Heroes to help provide holiday gifts and winter essentials to those in need, and 2020 was no exception. The pandemic led to a record number of requests for gifts and items to help families meet basic needs, and our donor community stepped up to the plate to ensure every request was fulfilled! There was so much joy felt by young people in our programs over the holidays as a result of our very generous donors. A record number of supporters (341) provided a record number of gifts (2,011) to a record number of youth (559) through Holiday Heroes this year! Our donors are the key to success with this initiative. Their thoughtfulness and generosity when thinking about the young Holiday Heroes continues on page 6
5
Holiday Heroes continued people in our programs is unmatched. They wait by their computers for certain toys to be released online, make connections at local stores so they can be notified when certain items are delivered, and don’t stop shopping until the wish lists are fulfilled.
“It was so rewarding to make a little boy’s wishes come true. We would do it all over again!” Melissa R., donor
(Above) Baby Braxton loves playing in his brand new chair. (Left) Joshua rode his scooter all day long.
“I have my own 6-year-old son, so when I saw the request for a wrestling toy, I knew how hard it would be to find but even more so, how important it was to get,” said donor Melissa R. “This toy had also just been released in November. My son and I worked together by shopping online and in stores, we finally found it and even with shipping delays, it still arrived on time. It was so rewarding to make a little boy’s wishes come true. We would do it all over again!”
6
We are so grateful for your generosity and continued support throughout the year. Thank you for believing in the kids, families and young adults we serve.
Youth Villages CEO Pat Lawler filmed a special message to employees to encourage them to support Our Family Campaign.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Our Family Campaign (OFC) is Youth Villages’ annual employee giving program, which serves as an internal resource for supporting Youth Villages staff, children and families, and LifeSet young adults. For more than 20 years, OFC has given Youth Villages staff the opportunity to give back to our mission. After the challenges we’ve all seen so far this year, hope is needed more than ever.
YOUTH VILLAGES EMPLOYEES IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE GIVE BACK
Every September, Youth Villages launches an organization-wide call to employees for donations to OFC, and staff choose to give through payroll deductions. Last year, OFC provided assistance for individuals leaving domestic violence situations, rental assistance to maintain housing stability, support to cover medical bills and basic needs such as clothing and groceries, and assistance for individuals affected by natural disasters and other crises. When a fire destroyed an employee’s kitchen, OFC funds were used to help replace ruined appliances. OFC funds were also used to help a LifeSet young adult who had only $20 in his bank account when it was time to pay his rent. With the OFC funds he was given, he was able to avoid losing his housing. OFC continues on page 8
7
Julia continued
Julia was referred to the Youth Villages LifeSet program and was determined to get her anxiety and depression under control. With the help of her LifeSet specialist, Julia finished high school. They also worked on building up Julia’s confidence, teaching her ways to stand up for herself and effective ways to manage her anxiety. Through LifeSet, Julia found stability in her life again and achieved one of her major goals—getting into college. Julia currently attends college in Massachusetts and is in the pre-med program at her school. With her newfound confidence, Julia spoke on a panel for a women’s leadership event—something she never thought would be possible with her level of anxiety. She is back at home with her family and has a job mentoring young adults with special needs. “If other people think I can’t do something, that doesn’t matter,” Julia said. “All that matters is if I think I can do it. I shouldn’t look at my past as something that holds me back. I see it as something that can help me achieve my goals because I’ve gained so many amazing qualities like patience, empathy and kindheartedness and can understand people from a different point of view now.”
OFC continued
More than 62% of employees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire contributed to OFC this year, raising more than $95,000 to help support co-workers and LifeSet participants.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant hardships for many of the kids and families we serve, as well as members of our staff and their families.
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
BECOME A FORCE FOR FAMILIES Help other young adults like Julia. Mentor, volunteer or financially donate to our programs. Your support can have a direct impact on the future of the hundreds of children we help every day in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Please call Jessica Fredriksen at 781-937-7965 or email jessica. fredriksen@youthvillages.org to find out how to help.
8
“We are a family. Everyone supports each other. For everyone to have the ability to say, ‘Hey, I’m going through something,’ and the importance of knowing that you have that support, is so unique to Youth Villages and to the morale of our staff. It’s why we come to work every day.” Katie G. Woburn Expansion Specialist
FINDING INDEPENDENCE: CHRIS’ STORY EVERY YEAR, THE YOUTH VILLAGES LIFESET PROGRAM HELPS MORE THAN 4,000 YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY NAVIGATE CHALLENGES AS THEY REACH ADULTHOOD. As Chris was growing up, his mom was hospitalized, and his dad couldn’t care for him. Chris had multiple challenges of his own—both mental and physical health issues. His lack of stable parents made him at risk for negative outcomes. He was seen as particularly vulnerable and the Department of Children and Families got involved. At age 11, Chris went to live in a group home. While there, he didn’t know what the next steps would be or when they would occur. He lived there for the next 10 years, and as he reached adulthood, he didn’t have the natural support system that most young people build. At Youth Villages, we believe that every young person can reach their full potential and achieve their goals. Our LifeSet program has helped over 20,000 young people across the country aging out of state custody and other care arrangements successfully transition to independence. In the LifeSet program, Chris worked on money management and budgeting, creating professional and personal boundaries, maintaining independent housing, cooking and cleaning, and grocery shopping. Chris also received support from LifeSet for his mental health needs around suicidal ideation. LifeSet provided the safety net and skills training he needed to achieve his goal of living on his own. Chris is settled into his new apartment and is working toward a degree in biology. He is starting a veterinary training program and plans to be a veterinarian once he graduates from college.
Chris is one of the more than 450 young people we help each year through our LifeSet program in Massachusetts.
9
MASSACHUSETTS & NEW HAMPSHIRE DONORS JULY 1 THROUGH DEC. 31, 2020
BUILDER
1,000 to $4,999
$
Arnold Worldwide, Inc. Boston Investments Ms. Beth Dickerson eGenesis, Inc. GenCon, Inc Mr. Thomas Malone and Ms. Joan Goldberg Mrs. Amy Markham Mr. and Mrs. Peter McKay The Sweetser Family New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUTH VILLAGES. THE FOLLOWING DONORS MADE GIFTS TO YOUTH VILLAGES BETWEEN JULY 1 AND DEC. 31, 2020. WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THESE THOUGHTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS.*
INNOVATOR
LEADER
Abrams Foundation Anonymous Anonymous
Mrs. Amanda Eisel Mr. Lawrence Greenberg Lovett-Woodsum Foundation Kristin and Paul Marcus
100,000
$
+
VISIONARY
50,000 to $99,999
$
Anonymous Digital Federal Credit Union Sandy and Paul Edgerley OFC Staff Contributions in MA/NH
PILLAR
10,000 to $24,999
$
PROTECTOR 5,000 to $9,999
$
Mickey and Bob Atchinson First Congregational Church, Winchester SBLI Dr. Pramila Yadav
HONORARIUM AND MEMORIALS Alexander Scott Ashley Socia Cosimo Serio Dominick DiLorenzo Eileen “Grammy” Donovan Eric Friberg Hannah Giasson Jessica Fredriksen Joan Zayac Katherine Giasson Lennie Keady Lennox Keady Lisa McCarron Louise Strabone Michelle Zielinski Bart Carmody Sarah Reilly Shirley Carlson Tony Parsons
25,000 to $49,000
$
10
Yvette Lowenthal-Mulderry and Peter Mulderry
*If you made a contribution during this time (above $1,000) but it is not listed, please call 781-937-7900.
F e b r ua r y 1 – J u n e 3 0
YOU HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED The Youth Villages Massachusetts and New Hampshire Board
challenges you to help raise $1 million to provide the life-changing
services of LifeSet™ for at-risk young adults in our local communities. Your impact will be doubled with a matching gift of $1 million from the Youth Villages Massachusetts and New Hampshire Board. Participate by donating today and challenging your family and friends to help us provide access to the critical services of LifeSet. By joining the 2021 Spring Challenge, you will help provide young adults in crisis with access to the critical life-changing services of LifeSet.
W h y w e n e e d YO U R h e l p ! In 2020, more young people needed our services than ever before. Youth Villages saw unprecedented demand and experienced a 20% growth in our overall services. We need your help to meet the increased demand in essential services that will directly impact the lives of these young people who rely on LifeSet to reach their full potential.
LifeSet is the bridge from foster care to successful adulthood and it is the only clinically proven program to deliver evidence-based practices to at-risk youth who don’t have access to the support they deserve.
you thv i l l ag es.o rg / spri n g c h al l en g e Contact katherine.dilly@youthvillages.org for additional information.
11
YOUTH VILLAGES
NONPROFIT ORG
12 Gill Street, Suite 5800 Woburn, MA 01801
U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT 1324
(Address Service Requested)
YOUTH VILLAGES
Youth Villages is a private nonprofit that serves more than 33,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities: Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile Arkansas: Searcy, West Memphis Florida: Lakeland Georgia: Atlanta, Douglasville Indiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Indianapolis, Jasper, Jeffersonville, Madison Kentucky: Lexington, Louisville Massachusetts: Marlborough, West Springfield, Raynham, Woburn Mississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo New Hampshire: Manchester North Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, Waynesville Ohio: 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. New Heights is published by Youth Villages Prefer not to receive a printed newsletter? Email cynthia.vanelli@youthvillages.org or call 901-251-5000. To receive a digital copy of our newsletters and join our email list, sign up at youthvillages.org/stay-informed.