Stronger Than You Think

As a child, Elliot never quite felt “right” and struggled knowing he could not be the daughter his parents wanted. Elliot was experiencing gender dysphoria but without a name for it or a supportive environment, he was trapped.

His sense of hopelessness was compounded by an abusive household and childhood trauma. At times, he could not see himself making it out alive. In high school, Elliot entered the foster care system and found Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Through CBT, Elliot was able to deconstruct his past and find the right pieces to build himself back up. Learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Youth Villages’ Clinical Services Program Manager Dr. Lindsay Pate and how it may help you find compassion amid destruction on this episode of Stronger Than You Think.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. 

Jaquelyn was motivated to embark on the difficult journey from Guatemala to the United States by the promise of opportunity. By the time she and her 5-year-old nephew arrived to the U.S., she’d experienced so much trauma; she literally had no fear left in her body.

Through foster care and a revolving door of new environments, Jaquelyn remained grounded in her determination to go to college. To Rosa Duvall, a clinical manager for strategic partnerships with LifeSet, Jaquelyn is a shining example of the self-efficacy Youth Villages hopes to elicit in foster youth.

All people have the ability to form goals and dreams, and Jaquelyn’s story is one example of how they can propel a person forward, unrelenting in achieving them.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. 

Twins Jordan and Devan escaped generational poverty and found themselves on the road toward embodying their ideal selves.

Being educated, healthy and financially stable once was only a fantasy, but with the help of Youth Villages and strong support systems, Jordan and Devan have found themselves living their wildest dreams.

Poverty, anxiety and depression can make it impossible to help yourself, but there will always be someone equipped to help you.

As Youth Villages mental health professional Becky Smith explains, doing better is a skill, not a will — and sometimes, we just need to be taught.

Since the interview – Both Jordan and Devan now work for Youth VIllages. Jordan, a Mentor Liaison, helps with recruiting, training, and managing volunteers who mentor the youth participating in Youth Villages’ services. Devan, a Clinical Applications Specialist, provides IT support and training for the digital tools used by the clinical team. Jordan and Devan also participate in public speaking events representing Youth Villages and advocating for child welfare programs.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. 

When Ajah was experiencing childhood sexual abuse, she reached out to the adults in her life for help and was met with only indifference and betrayal. Ajah felt powerless until a slogan at school, “You are what you make,” redefined her life’s trajectory. The idea she could build a better life for herself was invigorating and made more tangible when her LifeSet specialist exposed her to new places and experiences.

Youth Villages Managing Director of Clinical Services Dr. Rebekah Lemmons discusses how our environments shape our outcomes. Dr. Lemmons believes we influence our environment by choosing what kind of media we consume. Learn how Ajah set herself on the path to a better life by becoming an ‘information shopaholic.’

Since the interview – Ajah graduated from Wake Technical Community College in North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She is currently working in the billing department at Walmart, but is currently seeking a career in the tech industry.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. 

When Jake (now Jordyn*) found himself in a residential facility as a teenager, he was constantly told by staff he would never amount to anything. Jake was aware the statistics on foster youth who age out of the system are grim and was determined to break out of the cycle of institutionalization.

Driven by a strong desire to help others in his situation, Jake took matters into his own hands and proved his naysayers wrong. Youth Villages Licensed Program Expert John Milner explains how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps young people like Jake avoid “acting out the label” by offering an alternative way of thinking.

*Since the interview and production of this episode: Jake now identifies has she/her and goes by Jordyn.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. 

Jennifer’s brother, Michael, was her biggest advocate growing up. Upon entering the foster care system as small children, Michael aggressively defended his sister. But without the tools to manage his emotional reactions, Michael ended up attracting harm to himself.

As a late teen, Jennifer was connected to Youth Villages and their program, LifeSet. Using their resources and undergoing therapy, she is now an advocate for foster youth enduring experiences like her own. Learn how it’s possible to break generational curses by managing trauma effectively and advocating fiercely on this episode of Stronger Than You Think. 

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here.
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you.

Ares was terrified of his abusive biological mother, but one thing he is grateful for is her teaching him the Lord’s Prayer. Ares prayed every night of his childhood and credits his faith with carrying him through hardship and into a successful track career throughout high school and now at North Carolina State University.

Ares’ LifeSet Specialist Alleyah Mason points out that spiritual faith is something no one can take away from you. Through the guiding light of spirituality, Ares was led to real family in his teammates, their families and coaches. For Ares, God served as a reminder of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here.
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you.

Years of bullying and low self-esteem made Julia forget what it was like to feel happy. Hopelessness turned into self-harm and into a string of suicide attempts that left Julia wondering why she hated herself. Asking this question changed Julia’s mindset, and she eventually found hope and happiness through volunteer work.

Youth Villages Program Director for Crisis Services Raquel Shutze explains there is hope through connection. Learn how Julia changed her life through connections with fellow volunteers, LifeSet and therapeutic animals on this episode of Stronger Than You Think.

Since the interview–Julia is on track to graduate May 2023 from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Julia and her fiance recently purchased their first home together. After graduation, she plans to get her master’s degree in social work.

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states and the District of Columbia. Check out open positions near you.

Growing up, Darrah was the strong one. From a young age, her mother’s mental illness forced her to be the adult of the household. For Darrah, entering the foster care system and experiencing structure for the first time was a relief; but even then, she was on her own.

After achieving academic and professional success, Darrah was still confronted with the question: “Who’s going to take care of me?” The answer had been the same all along. Learn how you can be your own greatest ally through the practice of positive affirmation and remember, “You got this!”

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. 
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states and the District of Columbia. Check out open positions near you.

What qualifies a person to confront gun violence in our communities? Troy Dotson believes his lived experience and ability to freely speak about his life allows him to connect in a way that can leave a meaningful impact on victims and perpetrators of gun violence.

As a reformed gang member, minister and now working with Youth Villages’ community violence intervention gun violence reduction initiative Memphis Allies, Troy uses his unique combination of skills and perspective to forge relationships and change trajectories for people in Memphis.

He shares his life story, trauma and hardships that have ultimately shaped his passion for this work – work aimed at saving lives and keeping our communities safer.  

Links from the show: 

• Join the force for families. View open positions with Memphis Allies and Residential
• Learn more about Troy’s story Switch Team Members Have Earned The Right To Be Heard

When you’re fresh out of college, it can feel overwhelming to choose a career path and earn skills that you’ll be beholden to for your entire career. For students like Tricia Murphy who knew they wanted to work closely with children and families, the pressure to commit to a graduate-degree program before ever entering the workforce weighs even heavier.

But upon finding Youth Villages and its YV360 program, Tricia realized she could work with kids and families, and even grow her career, before deciding to commit to a graduate degree. She shares the impact of internal upward mobility and a willingness to support career growth in her episode of Stronger Than You Think.  

Links from the show 

• Learn more about our residential services.   

• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs  
• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here and LifeSet here. 

Unlike football, life doesn’t come with a playbook. But even still, the ability to read situations and respond, to leave losses behind you and trudge forward, and to work as a team to achieve goals are football lessons that apply universally to life.

Rictrell Harris brings to his role at Youth Villages years of sports experience. While that sometimes directly translates as he plays pickup games with kids at Bill’s Place, it also is evident in his adaptable approach to family care and his team-oriented mindset.

Like many employees at Youth Villages, Rictrell perfectly merges personal experience and passion to best serve children, and he shares a glimpse into those experiences on this episode of Stronger Than You Think.   

Links from the show 

• Learn more about our residential services.   

• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs  
• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here. 

“Can we start now?” Those are some of the first words Maggie Anglin says to newly enrolled families in her program. The urgency with which she approaches families in the Intercept program is equal parts policy and personal passion.

She wishes there would have been someone to intervene on behalf of her 10-year-old self before her depression drove her toward dangerous decisions.

With two decades of therapy-fueled recovery under her belt and a master’s degree in social work in her back pocket, Maggie can connect with kids in crisis and provide families with tactics to support their needs.

Maggie shares how the world today is more friendly toward children learning to navigate mental health challenges, and how a generation of professionals like her are leveraging their experiences to create meaningful change and make their younger selves proud.   

Links from the show 

• Join the force for families. View open Nursing positions here.  

Rendering medical services to children who have interwoven physical and mental health needs is something that even the best nursing schools can’t prepare you for. Lyndsey Lewis, like many professionals on her team of nurses, learned through doing and navigating relationships with children under her care.

Early in her career, she recognized the life experiences of children at Youth Villages made honest and clear health care relationships important, so she turned to one of the organization’s core tenants for guidance: always do what you say you’re going to do. With this mindset, she has built trust among her youth and team, confronting the most medically and emotionally challenging cases with a desire to create positive outcomes through innovative care. 

 Links from the show 

• Join the force for families. View open Nursing positions here.  

Deeply rooted empathy is often born from life experiences. Latoria Jenkins’ connections with her Youth Villages youth and families are a prime example. Because she navigated years of her older sister’s mental health crises, she is uniquely equipped to walk alongside youth and their families as they work through similar circumstances.

And because this has been part of her life story, it makes sense that she frames her career in Youth Villages’ residential program as a lifestyle. Daily, she revels in the opportunity to support children, providing second chances and a new perspective among those who don’t often get them. She sees that as her goal: to leave children with new skills so they can radically change their lives. 

Links from the show: 

• Learn more about our residential services.  
• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs. 
• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here.

Carl Davis’ path to Youth Villages can be outlined through several significant figures: two drug-addicted parents, four siblings who became involved with the justice system, 11 funerals attended for victims of gun violence and countless times when he chose a different path for his life than that of the people he loved.

Now, 14 years later, Carl is the Director of Operations for Memphis Allies, a collaborative initiative launched by Youth Villages to reduce gun violence. He still relies upon lessons learned from one of the first young people he helped: consistency, connection and a conscious choice to see the good in people are all things that ignite change and create opportunities for a better future.

What takes form is different for each relationship – and his decision to invest in the lives of children and youth at every stage of his career is what saw him move from an overnight teacher counselor to a director of operations. 

Links from the show: 

• Join the force for families. View open positions with Memphis Allies and Residential
• Helping Young Men Choose a Different Path 

 

A life spent helping others is a life worth living. Dennis McBee knew this was his purpose, but the road to a career supporting families was a winding one. As a young man, he struggled to overcome loss and poverty –and all of the challenges associated with being poor and a self-proclaimed “geek” growing up in South Memphis. While the path wasn’t always smooth, there were people along the way who helped him dream of a brighter future, and he knows the power of that type of hope. Now, he uses his story to connect with children and families served by Youth Villages, building plans and envisioning opportunities beyond their wildest dreams. 

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains references to suicide (suicidal ideation) that may be triggering and difficult to hear. This trigger warning is to empower you as the listener to make a healthy decision about if/when and how you should consume this podcast.

Links from the show 

• Learn more about our intensive in-home services.  
• Our intensive in-home services program’s new rating allows states to receive federal funding. 
• Read how Intercept has helped Lexi and her family in Massachusetts.  
• Join the force for families. View open positions here.  
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255

When you pour your life into your work, you want your company to pour back into you. That’s the reciprocal relationship that Whitney Malone found at Youth Villages. In her 11 years with the organization, she has used her life to impact hundreds of children in our residential programs –  and the unique culture at Youth Villages has not only kept her with the organization but has propelled her to grow as a professional. Through the story of her upbringing, collegiate basketball experience and decade-long investment in our children, Whitney provides listeners with a glimpse into the career-building mentality that exists among the Youth Villages team and how hard work begets opportunities to grow, learn and succeed. 

Links from the show: 

• Learn more about all occupational therapy and our residential services.  
• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs.
• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here. 

Sometimes, all it takes for a child to find a new path forward is the faith of one person. Clinical Supervisor Merry Byers knows from her upbringing, a career in law enforcement and her time at Youth Villages that thousands of young people find themselves on the outskirts of society, susceptible to crime, violence and unthinkable tragedy. But, the intervention of one person can make a world of difference. In this episode of Stronger Than You Think, Byers tells the story of her unconventional path to social work and how her current professional endeavor in intensive in-home services for juvenile court-involved youth is inspired by all of her lived experiences.

Links from the show: 

• Join the force for families. View open positions with Memphis Allies and Intercept® 
• Read an article about Memphis Allies, Youth Villages’ new gun violence initiative. Our intensive in-home services program’s new rating allows states to receive federal funding. 

Join the force for families. Apply for employment here.

How do you tackle the significant challenges facing thousands of children and families across the country who are part of the child welfare system? Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler is undaunted by the enormity and encourages his employees to approach their work one family at a time. With decades of social work experience and a tenured history with the organization, Lawler knows better than anyone that making meaningful improvements in the lives of children and families starts an idea, a person who cares and people behind them with a vision for expansion. In the first episode of Stronger Than You Think, Lawler taps into what makes Youth Villages the vibrant, impactful organization it is today by demonstrating the source of his employees’ collective strength, as well as how our boldest initiative to-date, ending gun violence, is influencing change in Memphis, Tennessee.

Links from the show

• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages.  
• Our intensive in-home services program’s new rating allows states to receive federal funding. 
• See how Memphis Allies is working to reduce gun violence in Memphis, Tennessee. 
• Join the force for families. Apply for employment here.