May has long been recognized as Foster Care Awareness Month. Nationwide, more than 390,000 kids need a foster family and in Tennessee, more than 8,000 kids need foster homes with approximately 4,000 homes available.
Blog Articles
Anthony serves in the U.S. Army after finding direction with LifeSet
With the support of the U.S. Army, Youth Villages and his family, Anthony says he learned how to take control of his life by not living in fear and by setting goals for himself.
Donor Spotlight: Julie Hays, grant committee member of the Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation
Julie Hays, grant committee member of the Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation, has a passion for helping children experiencing foster care because of her personal fostering story. The Foundation is a supporter of Youth Villages and specifically LifeSet, for its critical services to children exiting the foster care system and transitioning into adulthood.
9 Tips for talking to children after a traumatic event
Every day at Youth Villages, we are charged with helping children who have experienced trauma and toxic stress. They may have been victims of abuse, neglect or have experienced significant and chronic community violence.
Sneaks and gowns: West Tennessee group homes host annual prom
Primed and prepped, the West Tennessee Youth Villages group homes step into the prom season with style. The Sneaker Ball gave youth the opportunity to show up in their best ‘kicks’ and glamorous outfits.
Teens in Crisis
The CDC recently released a disturbing study showing that 3 in 5 teen girls have felt deeply sad or hopeless in 2021, a 60% increase since 2013
LifeSet Program helps Katrina reach her goals
At just 20 years old, Katrina had walked a rocky road for most of her life. Due to domestic violence and verbal abuse, she was removed from her biological home.
Meet Memphis Allies: Life Coach Silvia Leads with Passion and Purpose
At 19, Silvia was the one who found her brother-in-law lifeless, shot to death, lying on the pavement of a gas station lot. A few years later, she was the victim when a man snuck up behind her and held a knife to her chest.
Meet Jeremy, the North Carolina youth selected as a Joey Logano Crew Member
Catherine Bergrud, a Family Support Partner in Asheville, North Carolina, goes above and beyond to help Jeremy live out his dream and supports them to overcome behavioral challenges. The Joey Logano Foundation continues their support of Youth Villages’ mission by providing kids like Jeremy with experiences of a lifetime.
Helping foster families succeed
The state of foster care in Tennessee is in crisis. More children than ever need temporary, safe homes compared to the amount of open foster homes. Nationwide, a child is placed into foster care every two minutes, so the need is great. In Tennessee, more than 8,000 kids are in the foster care system with only around 4,000 certified foster homes available.