Youth Villages’ annual Fall Celebration raises more than $225,000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Shelby Mitchell, Senior Public Relations Coordinator, Youth Villages
901-831-2362 (c) | shelby.mitchell@youthvillages.org
Proceeds support programs for young adults aging out of foster care
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 26, 2025) – Youth Villages, a nonprofit leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, hosted its annual Fall Celebration at Castaway Portland Thursday night. The event raised more than $225,000, which will provide funding for community-based intensive programs aimed to help former foster youth build healthy relationships and obtain safe housing, education and employment.
In Oregon, Youth Villages has served nearly 2,000 young adults who experienced foster care in the past decade. Funds raised from this year’s event will support the Independent Living Program and LifeSet, an individualized, evidence-based model that pairs a highly trained specialist with a young person to help identify and accomplish goals.
The event focused on amplifying the voices of young people and gave attendees an opportunity to meet young adults and staff and hear their incredible stories. Marlia Johnson, an ILP participant and keynote speaker, reached monumental goals during her time with Youth Villages. With support from her specialist, Emily Kelly, she earned her GED, learned budgeting skills and received valuable guidance throughout her pregnancy. Johnson continues to use the skills she learned and connections she made during her time with Youth Villages as she raises her nearly 2-year-old daughter.
I am proud of the woman and mom I am today. Youth Villages has set me up to now become an even better mother for my daughter, in hopes that she will never have to go through the things I went through in my childhood.
Young women who age out of foster care are significantly more likely to experience pregnancy than their peers. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, seven out of 10 girls who age out of care will become pregnant by age 21. Like all young adults, those who have experienced foster care have enormous potential, but without support, they may struggle with the effects of childhood adversity during a critical time in their lives.
Young adults who have gone through the program have a strong track record in ensuring they can find success like Johnson.
LifeSet and ILP outcomes in Oregon:
- 87% are living independently
- 98% are in school, graduated or employed
- 93% have had no trouble with law enforcement
Created in 1999, LifeSet has helped thousands of young people become successful adults across the country. In a randomized trial, LifeSet showed positive impacts in many areas of participants’ lives, including reduced homelessness, increased economic well-being and better mental health. Through ILP, young people ages 14 to 23 can develop the skills needed to navigate early adulthood without traditional supports. Young people aging out of foster care face tremendous challenges compared to their peers, often without crucial guidance or financial stability to become successful in their adult years. Those without support will fall victim to substance abuse, less than half will have gainful employment by the age of 24, and one in five will face homelessness.
Fall Celebration attendees networked with other passionate Youth Villages supporters and learned meaningful ways to connect with the mission of helping every young adult aging out of foster care find success.
“Young adults who remain in foster care until they “age out”, face some of the most daunting outcomes we see in our communities,” Youth Villages Executive Direct Andrew Grover said. “Through our services, we help young people like Marlia overcome hardships, learn skills and ultimately chase their dreams.”
About Youth Villages
Youth Villages is a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health committed to building strong families, delivering effective services and significantly improving outcomes for children, families and young people involved in child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems across the country. Founded in 1986, the organization’s 5,000 employees help more than 47,000 children annually in 29 states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. In Oregon, the organization serves more than 750 youth and families each year across 12 counties through its community-based programs, operating out of offices in Portland, Salem and Bend. Learn more at www.youthvillages.org.
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