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
- 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
Solutions to keeping Oregon foster children in stable homes
With a recent federal class action lawsuit settled over the safety of children in Oregon’s foster care system, one of the issues addressed is the quality and number of foster care placements a child experiences.
Intercept helps Victoria identify, work through her feelings
In 2023, Theresa began seeking support for her 8-year-old granddaughter, Victoria. Her family was under a lot of stress from financial hardship, physical health problems and emotional and behavioral aggression from Victoria. She knew they needed additional support, but wanted to make sure she and her husband remained the primary caregivers for Victoria.
LifeSet helps James overcome obstacles and achieve his goals
Youth who age out of foster care often face significant challenges when transitioning to adulthood. They can be at risk for homelessness, unemployment, unstable housing, involvement with the criminal justice system, mental health issues and difficulty accessing education or stable employment.
Donor Spotlight: John Parker And Steve Rook
John Parker and Steve Rook with the Parker-Rook Group at Merrill share how their investment makes a difference
Tennessee Titans Kicks Off Holiday Heroes!
Youth Villages kicked off its annual Holiday Heroes campaign this week with the help of the Tennessee Titans. Players, staff and their family members joined the organization to transform an empty office space into a holiday workshop, which will be filled with thousands of donated toys over the next few weeks.
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.
