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
Support, Strength, and Motherhood: Marlia’s Path to a Better Life
Young women who transition out of foster care are more likely to experience pregnancy than their peers. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, seven out of 10 girls who age out of care will become pregnant by their 21st birthday.
New England Backpack Heroes 2024: A Remarkable Success
The 2024 Youth Villages Backpack Heroes campaign was a tremendous success thanks to the incredible support from our volunteers, donors and corporate partners.
Q&A with Mr. Morton: Single Foster Parent of 10 Years
Get to know Middle Tennessee foster parent of the year, Joseph Morton. He is a single father who has been a foster parent with Youth Villages for 10 years.
Youth Villages Expands Intercept Program To Rhode Island To Offer In-home Support Services For Local Youth
Youth Villages, a nonprofit child welfare organization, today announced a service expansion in Rhode Island to provide intensive in-home services to youth currently in the care of and youth at risk of being in the care of Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (RIDCYF).
Every Child TN Q&A: Mobilizing Tennesseans to Support Families Impacted by Foster Care
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.