The Challenge
For many children, the path to adulthood is rough. Right now, more than 435,000 children are growing up in foster homes; 120,000 have been permanently separated from their parents and are waiting for adoption; 20,000 will turn 18 and “age out” without family support. We have a responsibility to do better. Preserving and strengthening families can allow children to grow up safely in their own homes without the trauma of family separation, and effective services can be the bridge to adulthood for young people who leave foster care alone.
Our Approach
Decades of experience and research have taught us this: a family does a better job of raising a child than the state. We provide and advocate for innovative, evidence-based, family-focused services designed to bring help and hope to children and their families, as well as proven services for young adults turning 18 in foster care.
1 in 20
children and youth in the U.S. are in state foster care systems
120,000+
are waiting for a new family through adoption
Our Impact
We’re changing the lives of thousands of children, families and young people every year through our direct services and partnerships with organizations and agencies around the country. Our work is to transform children’s systems, deepen our impact and deliver better results one child and one family at a time.
States
Locations
%
success rate
![Mose with daughter](https://youthvillages.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Mose-ellipse.png)
![Macy](https://youthvillages.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NC_All_Star_Afternoon_05.png)
- Youth Villages States
- Partnering States
Lasting Change
Former LifeSetTM participant, Mariah, shares her story of how this Youth Villages program impacted her life.
Stories of Hope
Helping children and families live successfully
Middle Tennessee organization works to lighten back-to-school financial burden for foster families
Back-to-school shopping can put a strain on families financially. Youth Villages is aiming to lighten the financial burden of back-to-school for their foster families.
Peer-to-Peers: Life skills and life connections
Every month, Youth Villages Oregon hosts a Peer-to-Peer gathering for participants in LifeSet, an evidence-informed program helping youth aging out of foster care learn skills to navigate adulthood, and the Independent Living Program for transition-age youth.
House calls: Youth Villages offering mental-health assistance to children
For families on Nantucket, an island in Massachusetts, it can be difficult to access mental health services. Families often have to endure long wait lists and travel off island to get mental health care for their children.
Healing from Within, Blake’s Path to Finding Self Control
Blake struggled with anger for most of his childhood, and as he got older, he became more physical. He attended weekly therapy, but it didn’t have much of an impact on his ability to cope.
Jeremy’s Path to Confidence and Connection
“It’s a life changing experience and it gives you a whole different concept about yourself.” These are the words of Jeremy, a LifeSet participant who felt all odds were against him growing up and into adulthood.
MAKE A CAREER OUT OF CHANGING LIVES
Do you share our passion for helping children and families live successfully? We’ve got a place for you.