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
Ambition
LifeSetTM Scholar participant, Kauna, shares her story of how this Youth Villages program impacted her life.
Stories of Hope
Helping children and families live successfully
Youth Villages mourns the passing of founding staff member Sister Barbara Spencer
Sister Barbara Spencer, one of the founding staff members at Youth Villages, has died at age of 90 at the home of her order, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky.
A day in the life of Noah Gerber: Meeting young adults where they are
It’s 7:45 a.m. in Portland, Oregon, and Noah Gerber is already on the move. As an Independent Living Program specialist with Youth Villages, his office is wherever the young people he works with are.
When families heal, children thrive: How one family found support through Intercept
A young person’s success often depends on the support they receive from those around them. Without a healthy support system, navigating life’s challenges can become overwhelming, especially for children who have experienced trauma.
Youth Villages’ annual Fall Celebration raises more than $225,000
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 26, 2025) – Youth Villages, a nonprofit leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, hosted its annual Fall Celebration at Castaway Portland Thursday night.
Local expert discusses impact of AI chatbots and youth mental health
Youth Villages expert warns that while AI chatbots can offer support, their growing influence on youth mental health raises concerns about misinformation, emotional dependency, and the need for stronger safeguards.
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.