Ten years ago, a handful of Youth Villages staff — members of the new Strategic Partnerships department — boarded a flight from Memphis to Seattle to train employees at the Y Social Impact Center to deliver LifeSet, Youth Villages’ evidence-based program model supporting young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
When Lucas was younger, he dreamed of playing in the NFL or NBA. But when he was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness in the legs, pelvis and heart, those dreams suddenly felt out of reach. As his physical abilities changed, so did his outlook on life. At just 8 years old, Lucas struggled with overwhelming feelings of sadness, isolation and worthlessness.
Erica Robinson, the state director of Youth Villages in Mississippi, spoke with Meredith Biesinger from the Daily Journal about the work Youth Villages is doing in Tupelo and the surrounding areas in Lee County. Erica emphasized how staff help parents navigate a...
There are moments throughout the year that remind us why community matters and Red Kite Nite 2026 was one of them. The event was a reflection of what happens when a village comes together with a shared purpose: to ensure every young person has the opportunity to dream bigger and achieve more.
Henrietta, a single mom in suburban Atlanta, lived in constant fear – terrified she might lose her young son, Darrion, or that someone who didn’t understand his mental and behavioral struggles might hurt him.
Parents can now learn new ways to collaborate with their children when it comes to their mental and behavioral health.
Before Youth Villages entered their lives, Sam described her home as “complete chaos.” Her three children, ages 10, 8 and 5, struggled without structure.
From a very young age, Amir experienced instability and trauma in his house. This caused him to lash out at home and school with verbal and physical aggression. At 11 years old, Amir was involved in a gun incident which left his father paralyzed.
When Angela received a phone call one Monday evening, she didn’t realize how much her life would change. On the other end of the line was Jenna, a specialist from Youth Villages
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.