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
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.
Is Your Child Struggling With a Transition? Here’s What a Psychologist Recommends
Discover why some kids find transitions especially tough and learn therapist-backed tips to help them navigate change with confidence and calm.
Charlotte Community Connections Podcast
Mental health is often seen as a personal struggle, —but what if healing could happen in living rooms, libraries and community spaces, not just clinics?
My voice, my journey
No child dreams of being in foster care. A loving, stable family is the standard we all hope for. But not every child is born into ideal circumstances.
Beyond the screen: 8 ways to monitor your child using AI for mental health
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about this epidemic affecting our communities. According to a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, suicide became the second-leading cause of death in the United States for teens and young adults ages 10-34
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.