Career coach mobile center visits with TL youth ... 3

Andru’s second time gets successful results ... 4

Holiday Heroes out in full force for children ... 7

Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee Spring 2013

FAmiLy AdjuSTmenTAleigh and her family had their ways — and they changed them ... 6

A CommiTmenT To HomeLarry and Robin believe children need love and a good place to live ... 5

2 New Heights

A message from our director

You believe children can be helped

Our staff does incredible work. Helping ensure children and families

succeed is sometimes challenging, sometimes easier, but always requires

the input and assistance of the youth, family and whatever resources are

available.

Sometimes those resources come in peculiar ways. In this newsletter, we

highlight Tiana, a bright young girl who was extremely difficult. Her parents

were having trouble reaching the belligerent, aggressive and defiant girl.

Tiana spent significant time in residential facilities, and her parents were at

a loss for what to do. Her adoptive parents loved her, supported her and did

everything they knew to provide a safe, loving home, but it wasn’t working.

Well, Tiana figured it out by herself. One of her peers in the residential

facility was repeatedly upset because she didn’t have basic things families

provided for their children. Tiana realized she had all this girl was wishing for,

and she was taking it for granted.

She returned home a different girl, and worked with one of our staff to

find ways to cope with certain behaviors and emotions. Tiana is on track to

graduate high school one year early and attend college near her home next

fall. You can read more of her story on our website, www.YouthVillages.org.

Sometimes it can be a counselor, school official, mentor, family member

or someone you’ve just recently met – and they can change the way you see

your life. Tiana’s friend was open and honest, and shared her problems with

her. Through that, Tiana saw how fortunate she was. I think back to the many

occasions where I’ve had the ability to help someone by sharing an experience

or highlighting something good about someone they may have forgotten.

We can all do that more often. And when it involves children, we cannot do

it enough.

Thank you for helping children like Tiana.

Youth villages board of directors

contact us

Mike Bruns, Chairman

Bryan Jordan, Vice Chairman

Jimmy Lackie, Secretary

Paul Bower, Treasurer

Jim Barton Jr.

Eric Bolton

Marietta Davis

Judith Edge

Nicholas R. Ehlen

Jack A. Eiferman

Joanna Jacobson

Rev. Robert Earl Jones

Karole Lloyd

Mark Medford

Johnny Pitts

Ray Pohlman

Ronnie Randall

Pat Ritz

Michael Rose

Richard W. Talkov

Matthew Tarkenton

Scotland Thede

David Tyler

Patrick Lawler, CEO

Chattanooga5741 Cornelison Road6400 BuildingChattanooga, TN 37411phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880

Johnson City3915 Bristol Hwy #101Johnson City, TN 37601phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550

Knoxville9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475Knoxville, TN 37923phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580

Morristown225 West First North Street, Suite 302Millennium Square BuildingMorristown, TN 37814phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180

Memphis

Jackson

DyersburgParis

ClarksvilleNashville

Cookeville Johnson CityMorristown

KnoxvilleColumbia

Dickson

Linden Chattanooga

Memphis

Jackson

DyersburgParis

ClarksvilleNashville

Cookeville

Columbia

Dickson

Linden

Johnson CityMorristown

Knoxville

Chattanooga

Amanda Tillman

Director of East Tennessee

865-560-2550

amanda.tillman@youthvillages.org

The graph above represents the status of East Tennessee youth at one year after discharge through March 2013. Figures include only youth who re-ceived at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 50.2 percent.

OutcomesAt one year post-discharge

0

20

40

60

80

100

85% 84%91%

At hom

e with fam

ily

No involvem

entw

ith the law

In school or graduated

*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.

New Heights 3

stateProgram success

The graph above represents the status of East Tennessee youth at one year after discharge through March 2013. Figures include only youth who re-ceived at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 50.2 percent.

OutcomesAt one year post-discharge

0

20

40

60

80

100

85% 84%91%

At hom

e with fam

ily

No involvem

entw

ith the law

In school or graduated

*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.

Program SuccessAs a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce

Development recently began Career Coaches, mobile

centers with services similar to a Tennessee Career

Center.

Recently, a Career Coach visited the Youth Villages

Knoxville office to help youth in the transitional

living program create resumes, seek jobs and review

interviewing skills.

The Career Coach has computers, copiers and fax

machines available to job seekers. In addition, computers

aboard the Career Coach have Internet access and are

equipped with Microsoft Office software. Career Coach

staff conducts valuable workshops such as résumé

writing, job search strategies and interviewing skills.

In the above photo, Mia, seated, and TL Specialist Tina Cole work on creating a resume. At right, career coach Sarah Beane discusses job interview skills with the youth.

get a resume, get a JobCareer coach visits with TL youth

4 New Heights

Andru’s in his second stint in Youth

Villages’ transitional living program,

and it’s paying off. He’s enrolled in a

local college, interviewing for jobs,

working on money management and

looking for an apartment. You could

say he’s getting it together.

Not so long ago, that wasn’t the case.

Living in a car that would soon be

taken away, Andru was in dire straits.

He wanted to get out of foster care

and do his own thing, but he trusted

people who took advantage of him.

During his senior year, he dropped out

of high school.

“I was too trusting, and I learned the

hard way,” Andru said. “I’ve worked at

factories and other places, doing what

I had to do.”

In addition to finances, part of An-

dru’s struggle was personal. He had to

learn how to be more assertive.

Because of his high school status,

getting a GED was difficult, and he

ran into some resistance from some

schools. Andru had to learn how to

be his own advocate. Youth Villages

Transitional Living Specialist Steven

Knapp helped.

In addition to the GED, Steven

helped Andru with other adult

necessities, such as getting health

insurance, managing money, finding

employment and going to college.

“Before, I was more passive about

things happening to me,” Andru said.

“Now I’m not shy about asking ques-

tions or asking for help.”

Through the help of a friend’s father,

Andru found additional support he

needed.

He became a fighter for his future.

He recently began studying com-

puter technology at a local college and

is looking for a job.

“There’s a lot more collaboration

between us,” Steven said. “At first, it

was as if he didn’t know how to receive

help. Now, he’s working with me to

better his future.”

And while Andru said his last foster

home was the best one he’d been in,

his adjustment to adulthood has taken

some time.

“Now that I look back, I have grown

a lot in a short amount of time,” Andru

said. “Without Youth Villages, I don’t

know if I’d be in college – maybe later,

but not now. I’d probably just be work-

ing in a factory.”

He’s been foster parent-

ing with his wife for going

on two years, and they’ve

settled into what they do

pretty well.

They’re both quick to

smile and offer something

to eat or drink, but don’t

mistake that for being

carefree. In their time foster

parenting, they’ve seen

their share of the benefits

and challenges of fostering

children.

“You have to be com-

mitted to the kids,” Larry

said, holding Johnathan, 17

months, who was adopted

by the family in February.

“When they come here

they’re at home.”

They got Johnathan first

when his mother fostered

with them. She terminated

her rights, which led to the

adoption. Prior to Johna-

than, Robin and Larry

adopted Bradley, 15. He was

one of four siblings in foster

care and stayed with them

for a few respite visits. They

were looking to adopt, which

fit into Bradley’s plans well.

andru tries again — and gets resultsYour support has allowed the most statistically vulnerable youth in the nation today to make

a positive start on adulthood. Since 1999, more than 6,000 teens have earned jobs, found homes and

stayed crime free thanks to your help.

The Youth Villagestransitional 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. They help participants find housing and health

services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. Specialists teach life skills like time management, budgeting,

menu planning and grocery shopping.

TL Specialist Steven Knapp and Andru

New Heights 5

He’s been foster parent-

ing with his wife for going

on two years, and they’ve

settled into what they do

pretty well.

They’re both quick to

smile and offer something

to eat or drink, but don’t

mistake that for being

carefree. In their time foster

parenting, they’ve seen

their share of the benefits

and challenges of fostering

children.

“You have to be com-

mitted to the kids,” Larry

said, holding Johnathan, 17

months, who was adopted

by the family in February.

“When they come here

they’re at home.”

They got Johnathan first

when his mother fostered

with them. She terminated

her rights, which led to the

adoption. Prior to Johna-

than, Robin and Larry

adopted Bradley, 15. He was

one of four siblings in foster

care and stayed with them

for a few respite visits. They

were looking to adopt, which

fit into Bradley’s plans well.

“I wanted a family,” he

said. “I wanted someone to

love me and take care of

me.”

Bradley’s not a typical

15-year-old. Mild-mannered

and well-spoken, he pre-

fers to be outside riding his

bicycle than inside playing

video games. He enjoys

working on computers, just

not playing games on them.

He was in foster care on two

separate occasions, totaling

about nine years.

“It went pretty quick with

Bradley,” Robin said. “I

never thought I’d love these

children like they were my

own, but I do.”

Larry and Robin had long

discussions before commit-

ting to be foster parents.

Robin was more hesitant,

but they both knew in their

hearts they could make a

good home for children.

“Larry initiated it,” Robin

said. “He thought we would

be good at doing this.”

Robin prayed on it and

they signed up for Youth Vil-

lages’ free classes to become

foster parents.

Two years later, they’ve had a wealth of experiences and fulfillment that only making a home for children can bring.

“I just thought we’ve got

this big old house and we

both want kids around,”

Larry said.

But it hasn’t always been

great. Larry recalled one

girl who came to visit and

was especially difficult.

Even after she left for a bit,

they welcomed her back as

if nothing had happened,

and she continued her dif-

ficult behavior.

“That girl took a piece of

my heart with her when she

left,” Larry said. “She still

calls from time to time and

calls me dad.”

The family regularly

attends church. When

the children don’t have

church clothes, Robin

buys them. For Larry and

Robin, it’s not a process or

set of rules. It’s first about

making a good home, then

being committed to help-

ing the children who come

through their door.

“They’re all my chil-

dren,” Larry, who has

a biological son, said.

“There’s no difference. All

the children need love and

a good place to live.”

The Youth Villagestransitional 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. They help participants find housing and health

services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. Specialists teach life skills like time management, budgeting,

menu planning and grocery shopping.

a commitment to making a good home If you’re not in it for the right reasons, Larry says, you won’t

last long.

At Youth Villages, we see our foster parents as crucial allies in helping children overcome past trauma and move on to live successful lives. We know that a loving family who treats

their foster child like one of their own is more important, more life-changing and more empowering than anything else we can give a child. Because we know that, we provide our

foster parents with 24/7 support. Call 877-983-6786 to learn more.

Foster parents Larry, left, and Robin, right, with Bradley and Johnathan.

6 New Heights

ntercept family intervention specialists provide services to the family, rather than just to the youth, meeting with families an average of three times weekly and remaining on call 24/7. We tailor services to meet each family’s needs, and our ongoing outcome evaluation studies have demonstrated that 90 percent of youth are successful up

to two years after discharge from the program.

Grandma and grandpa had to change the old ways.

Or maybe adjust them a little so

Aleigh, 18, didn’t feel as if she were

moving farther toward those ways

than she thought necessary.

Aleigh liked her friends and sneak-

ing out to be with the “in” crowd, but it

wasn’t a positive situation.

“Aleigh had issues with respect,”

said Veola, her grandmother. “She was

hanging around a bad crowd and they

all encouraged each other.”

Aleigh knew she was getting older

and the time had come to place a pri-

ority on her future. She realized this

during a church retreat last summer.

Away from friends and family, she

heard other children her age share

their experiences about growing up,

peer pressure and other issues facing

teens. She saw what was happening.

“I didn’t mean to hurt Granny,”

Aleigh said. “I knew I was getting

older, and at that retreat, I made up

my mind to be my own person. I made

up my mind to do better.”

Youth Villages Family Intervention Special-ist Kristin Ingram first worked with the family to help them understand and respect one another.

Kristin said her visits three times

a week with the family weren’t very

productive in the beginning.

“There was a lot of button push-

ing going on,” she said. “And Aleigh,

at first, told me what she thought I

wanted to hear.”

Then Aleigh began to change. She

opened up more about what was going

on.

“She saw we were really going to bat

for her in court and at school,” Kristin

said. “We role-played some silly ques-

tions applicants sometimes get during

job interviews, and we had fun, but I

think it was the first time for me that I

got an honest answer from her.”

Veola regularly visited school and

advocated for Aleigh, who turned her

schoolwork around. She began singing

with the school choir in addition to the

church choir. She even received help

from her grandfather while she was

practicing a Motown song – he knew

how the original tune went.

Most important, Aleigh was accountable for where she was going and what she was doing. The arguing became less frequent, and tension in the home subsided.

“I just got tired of arguing,” Aleigh

said. “I try every night to give my

grandpa a hug and tell him I love

him.”

But she’s still Aleigh – only now her

independence and strong will are

simply transferred to future success

rather than one night’s fun.

She’s thinking Marine Corps then

college.

“Aleigh’s going to take up for herself

and not be quiet,” Kristin said. “She’s

doing well in home and at school. I

think the family just needed to take

a moment to understand each other

and maybe look at how to meet in the

middle.”

everYone had to adJust a little

Veola and Aleigh

holidaY heroes bring JoYI

New Heights 7

ntercept family intervention specialists provide services to the family, rather than just to the youth, meeting with families an average of three times weekly and remaining on call 24/7. We tailor services to meet each family’s needs, and our ongoing outcome evaluation studies have demonstrated that 90 percent of youth are successful up

to two years after discharge from the program.There are numerous ways to help. Mentor,

foster parent, volunteer or financially donate to

our programs. Your support can have a di-

rect impact on the future of the more than 450

children we help every day in East Tennessee.

Please call Jennifer Judge at 901-251-4826 or

e-mail jennifer.judge@YouthVillages.org to find

out how to help.

Join our efforts Become a force for families

9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E-475

Knoxville, TN 37923

865-560-2550

Whether you’re planning

such a gift as writing a will or

setting up a trust for Youth Vil-

lages or another nonprofit, we

have information on our web-

site devoted to donations and

planned giving that can help.

Simply go to youthvillages.org/plannedgiving

and you’re there.

You will find an introduction to planned

giving, and a section entitled “How Can I ...,”

which lists all the vehicles included in a plan,

including wills and bequests, gifts of appreci-

ated stock or gifts of real estate.

In addition, there is a section on “Why do

I need a will,” a glossary of terms, an estate

intention form, and much more.

For more information, please contact Marler

Stone at 901-251-4820 or e-mail marler.stone@

youthvillages.org.

Thinking of a planned gift?

Marler Stone

job interviews, and we had fun, but I

think it was the first time for me that I

got an honest answer from her.”

Veola regularly visited school and

advocated for Aleigh, who turned her

schoolwork around. She began singing

with the school choir in addition to the

church choir. She even received help

from her grandfather while she was

practicing a Motown song – he knew

how the original tune went.

Most important, Aleigh was accountable for where she was going and what she was doing. The arguing became less frequent, and tension in the home subsided.

“I just got tired of arguing,” Aleigh

said. “I try every night to give my

grandpa a hug and tell him I love

him.”

But she’s still Aleigh – only now her

independence and strong will are

simply transferred to future success

rather than one night’s fun.

She’s thinking Marine Corps then

college.

“Aleigh’s going to take up for herself

and not be quiet,” Kristin said. “She’s

doing well in home and at school. I

think the family just needed to take

a moment to understand each other

and maybe look at how to meet in the

middle.”

yV BuilderFirst Tennessee Foundation

Friend of youth Villages Boones Creek Christian Church

Mr. and Mrs. Martin BrownMs. Sara BuchananDr. Matthew CaryMr. Mike Chesney

Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Diatikar

Ms. Phyllis DillMr. and Mrs. Frank Dorman

Mr. Paul ForsythMs. June Fulbright

Ms. Stephanie HermanMr. Joseph JacobsenMr. Nikolaus JordanKnoxville Ice BearsMr. Harold Mason

Mr. William McCarterMs. Joellen Meredith

Mr. Markus MichaNAEHCY

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. RausinMr. Todd Schott

Society of St. Vincent de PaulMr. David Spann

Mr. and Mrs. Doug TaborThe Cup

Mr. Robert WilsonMs. Sarah Wooten

Mr. and Mrs. Philip ZaretzkiMr. Fernando Zepeda

memorialsCaroline des Granges Wallis

Mr. Paul Forsyth

Thank you for supporting Youth Villages

The following donors made

gifts of $50 or more to Youth Vil-

lages between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31,

2012. The board of directors and

staff of Youth Villages gratefully

acknowledge these thoughtful

contributions.

If you made a contribution

during this time but it is not

listed, please call the Youth Vil-

lages Development department

at 901-251-4821.

holidaY heroes bring JoY

Children and families participat-ing in Youth Villages programs in East Tennessee were able to celebrate the holidays through the Holiday Heroes program, where individuals and corporate partners fulfill a child or family’s holiday wish list. East Tennessee individuals and organizations donated nearly $30,000 to provide holiday gifts for more than 200 children and families in East Tennessee. Thank you for being a Holiday Hero.

Stay in touch online

www.facebook.com/youthvillages

www.twitter.com/youthvillages

youthvillages.wordpress.com

www.youthvillages.org

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YOUTH VILLAGES9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475Knoxville, TN 37923(Address Service Requested)

A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than20,000 children and their families from offices in the following cities:Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, DothanArkansas: Jonesboro, Little RockFlorida: Lakeland, MiamiGeorgia: Atlanta, DouglasvilleIndiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jeffersonville, MadisonMassachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, WorcesterMississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, TupeloNew Hampshire: ManchesterNorth Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Pinehurst, Raleigh-DurhamOregon: PortlandTennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City,Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, ParisWashington, D.C.

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services to help emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live success-fully. The organization helps more than 20,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washing-ton, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprec-edented accountability to families and funders. The EFR approach produces lasting success for children, with success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care.

Please call 865-560-2550 to have your name removed from our mailing list.

New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth VillagesManaging Editor: Amanda Tillman Associate Editor: Chris Pennington