Discover how one couple’s journey with Youth Villages turned empathy into meaningful impact for young people aging out of foster care

How did you become involved in Youth Villages?

Allen Campbell: Our journey with Youth Villages began after hearing a radio ad produced by a local corporate supporter. Around the same time, we learned that extended family members were fostering a young boy who was about to “age out” of the system. That moment really struck a chord with us.

Debbie and I both felt it was deeply unfair to expect any 18-year-old — especially one coming out of foster care — to navigate adulthood alone and make life-shaping decisions without support. We believed there had to be a better way, and someone to help guide these young people toward a brighter future.

That’s when we discovered LifeSet, one of the programs Youth Villages offers to support young adults transitioning out of foster care. It resonated with us immediately, and we knew we wanted to get involved.

I reached out to the Charlotte office and had a wonderful conversation with [Director of Development] Erica Ellis. We shared our interest in learning more about the organization and discussed ways we could support Youth Villages — through contributions and beyond.

Why do you support Youth Villages with your philanthropic investment?

Allen: We’ve been inspired by the people behind Youth Villages — their commitment to the mission is genuine and deeply felt. We invest not only financially, but through our time volunteering – I have enjoyed working with the young adults in Financial Literacy classes and Debbie makes quilts for Youth Villages Scholars – a gesture that brings warmth and comfort in more ways than one. But we give financially because the organization doesn’t just talk about impact; it tracks it. You can see some of those outcomes in this newsletter, or I encourage you to reach out to the team, and they will be willing to share more. Programs like LifeSet show measurable success in helping young people transition to adulthood with stability and support. That kind of results-driven compassion is exactly why we choose to invest.

What do you think sets Youth Villages apart in its work with children and families?

Allen: We believe in Youth Villages’ overriding goal of keeping families together and that children are best raised by their own families. They build programs around the child’s needs and the family situation to fit improving the family home.

Why should someone consider becoming involved with Youth Villages?

Allen: There are many people in our country who need a little help getting through life challenges. Youth Villages is an organization that is very effective in improving family situations and in helping youth move through their teens and into trade school, college and/or work environment to have a very good chance at success.

What is one story or moment that sticks with you about Youth Villages’ work with young people?

Allen: It’s hard to choose just one. We’ve been deeply moved by the Youth Villages Scholars who’ve shared their stories at Youth Villages events — how the organization stepped in when they needed someone most, and how they now carry themselves with confidence and hope. We’ve also heard from parents who found support during challenging times, receiving not just guidance but genuine care.

What would you say to encourage others to financially support Youth Villages?

Allen: Youth Villages combines powerful personal stories with strong data that proves its impact. But behind every success are dedicated people and programs that rely on financial support. When you hear how this organization changes lives, you’ll see just how aligned its mission is — and why it’s worth investing in.

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