Youth Villages stories

Steven Tyler and Janie’s Fund distribute 
radio PSA to bring help to abused girls

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 28, 2017) – Steven Tyler is working with media companies across the United States including iHeartMedia radio stations to help abused girls find effective help through Tyler’s Janie’s Fund.

The newly launched public service announcements aim to identify children who have been abused and help them find resources during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and May’s Foster Care Awareness Month. Before the age of 18, more than one in five girls report experiencing physical or sexual abuse. Many children who experience this trauma end up in foster care or state custody.

The PSAs urge individuals who suspect a child is being abused to call, 1-800-4-A-Child or visit janiesfund.org to learn more about resources available to help girls and women heal.

“When I wrote ‘Janie’s Got A Gun’ I told the story of a young girl who is abused by her father. I was amazed by the outpouring of love from fans, and I always wanted to do more,” Tyler said. “It breaks my heart to know that one in five girls experience physical or sexual abuse before the age of 18. That calling led me to start Janie’s Fund which supports proven programs for restoring lives rocked by abuse conducted by national nonprofit Youth Villages. I want to use my voice to generate awareness and help those who have had their voices ripped away.

In its first year, Janie’s Fund gained 3,000 supporters from 38 countries who have contributed more than $2.1 million to help girls receive evidence-based help so that they can overcome the trauma of abuse and neglect. Janie’s Fund has built a community of more than 24,000 highly-engaged followers on social media who have contributed more than 4,100 messages of hope and healing to inspire other girls and women in their recovery. This year, Janie’s Fund will allow Youth Villages to provide more than 56,000 days of trauma-informed care to girls in need, directly helping more than 400 girls.

In December, Tyler received the 2016 Humanitarian Award at the United Nations Ambassadors Ball for his work in supporting abused and neglected girls through Janie’s Fund.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler is an award-winning singer, songwriter, philanthropist, author and actor. A member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and The Songwriters Hall Of Fame, he has sold more than 150 million records both as solo artist and as a member of the legendary rock band Aerosmith, and has won multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, plus an Emmy Award and the ASCAP Founders Award.

As the singer with Aerosmith, Tyler stands as one of the most iconic rock stars in history. During the band’s remarkable career, he has played in front of millions of people and influenced artists from the worlds of rock, hip hop, country music and beyond. He has performed for President Obama, appeared at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and collaborated with everyone from Taylor Swift to the members of Led Zeppelin.

Steven’s debut solo album, 2016’s We’re All Somebody From Somewhere, reached #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in the week of release. His charity Janie’s Fund, founded in partnership with Youth Village to bring hope and healing to girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect, raised more than $2.1 million in 38 countries in its first year. He is also deeply involved in the fight to protect the rights of established and emerging songwriters as a member of the GRAMMY Creators’ Alliance, and a tireless advocate for raising awareness of addiction issues and recovery solutions.

Aerosmith’s Aero-Vederci Baby! European Tour begins on May 17, 2017, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

About Janie’s Fund Janie’s Fund is a philanthropic initiative created by Steven Tyler in partnership with Youth Villages to bring hope and healing to girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect. Steven first gave voice to this cause with his hit “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and his establishment of the fund ensures that these vulnerable girls will have an enduring voice for years to come. Janie’s Fund has two important goals: to bring much-needed awareness to the issue of abuse and neglect of children and to generate financial support to ensure that girls receive the most effective services available to help them overcome the trauma and pain of abuse. Contributions to Janie’s Fund support proven programs at Youth Villages that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing the trauma of sexual and physical abuse in children as well as expansion of these services to help even more girls. Learn more at www.JaniesFund.org.

About Youth Villages Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization that helps more than 22,000 of America’s most vulnerable children and families each year in 13 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages has been recognized by Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report, and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. For more information about Youth Villages, visit youthvillages.org.