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News for Youth Villages' work in East Tennessee.
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Aszelee’s plansAfter 10 years in foster care, she’s ready to do her own thing page 4
Life of serviceKnoxville foster family continues helping children after cancer tragedy page 5
Family Victories from Youth Villages East Tennessee Fall 2011
Searching for families ... 3 Sharing stories of success at CEO breakfast ... 7
Charting Youth Villages’ successful outcomes ... 3
2
Memphis
Jackson
Dyersburg
ParisClarksville
NashvilleCookeville Johnson City
Morristown
KnoxvilleColumbia
Dickson
Linden Chattanooga
Memphis
Jackson
DyersburgParis
ClarksvilleNashville
Cookeville
Columbia
Dickson
Linden
Johnson CityMorristown
Knoxville
Chattanooga
A message from
Our director
Committed to improving the lives of children
We all know people from our past who changed our life.
It’s the person who leaves an indelible impression on us, causing us to change
our focus and accelerate toward an achievement or goal. Sometimes that im-
pression is very specific. Other times, maybe he or she created an environment
where we were comfortable and secure enough to pursue an interest.
Larry was one of those people, and he left an impression not only on the
youth he helped, but also on those of us who worked with him.
East Tennessee recently lost a fierce advocate for children. Larry Plaisance is
highlighted in this edition of our newsletter. A foster parent for teenage boys,
Larry and his wife, Nancy, didn’t shy away from difficult youth. They embraced
them, and provided a safe home for more than 30 youth during the past decade
or so. Ironically, it was Larry’s cancer diagnosis that led to the family becoming
foster parents. And in this time of grief, the family, including the three youth
living in the home, has become closer.
Foster parents will tell you being a good foster parent isn’t easy. Foster youth
remember the bad homes, but thrive in the good ones. And Nancy and Larry’s
home was just that. It was a place where youth were comfortable being them-
selves, a place where the past didn’t matter, only the present and the future.
Larry and Nancy were committed to helping children. There was doubt
whether Nancy would continue as a foster parent after Larry’s death. But Nancy
and her biological son are committed to continuing what was started years
before.
Nancy told her youth, “When you’re family, you stick together.”
In that spirit, the legacy of Larry continues in this family and these youth, who
pursue their future knowing first-hand the love, respect and commitment that
one can give to another. And that giving can change lives.
Amanda Tillman
Director of East Tennessee
865-560-2550
YOUTH VILLAGES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CONTACT US
Mike Bruns, ChairmanRonnie Randall, Vice ChairmanJimmy Lackie, SecretaryPaul Bower, TreasurerJim Barton Jr.Eric BoltonKenneth CampbellTerry CrossMarietta DavisNicholas R. EhlenLewis Holland Sr.John HutchinsJoanna JacobsonRev. Robert Earl JonesBryan JordanKarole LloydMark MedfordJim ParrishJohnny PittsRay PohlmanJennifer QueenPat RitzMatthew TarkentonScotland ThedeDavid TylerBetsy WalkupGeorge WhitePatrick Lawler, CEO
Chattanooga5741 Cornelison Road6400 BuildingChattanooga, TN 37411phone: 423-954-8890 fax: 423-954-8880
Johnson City3915 Bristol Hwy #101Johnson City, TN 37601phone: 423-283-6500 fax: 423-283-6550
Knoxville9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite E475Knoxville, TN 37923phone: 865-560-2550 fax: 865-560-2580
Morristown225 West First North Street, Suite 302Millennium Square BuildingMorristown, TN 37814phone: 423-522-2200 fax: 423-522-2180
3
STATEPROGRAM SUCCESS
ChristieCare of Oregon and Youth Villages cel-
ebrated their merger June 1 during ceremonies at the
organization’s Lake Oswego campus.
The new organization, called Youth Villages-Chris-
tieCare of Oregon, offers intensive in-home services to
families in Clackamas and Washington counties, while
continuing ChristieCare’s 150-year history of providing
residential and other services to troubled children and
youth.
“What we need in Oregon are proven, cost-effective
alternatives to more expensive foster care and residen-
tial services, as well as prevention services that allow
us to preserve and strengthen families before they fall
apart,” Saxton said. “That’s exactly what we are now
able to offer to Oregon’s children and families.”
YOUTH VILLAGES MERGES WITH OREGON’S CHRISTIE CARE
MORE THAN $4,000 RAISED FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES
OutcomesAt One-Year Post-Discharge
0
20
40
60
80
100
85% 84%92%
At home w
ith family
No involvem
entw
ith the law
In school or graduated
Program Success
outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
The graph above represents where children are one year after being dis-charged from Youth Villages’ programs, including residential treatment, group homes, foster care and/or intensive in-home services. Youth may receive multiple services while enrolled. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 55 percent.
While most schools start in August, July in Youth Villag-
es’ East Tennessee offices is a busy time helping ensure
children in our programs have the supplies they need to
return to school.
Because of the support of area individuals and orga-
nizations, Youth Villages’ Back Pack Heroes Program
was once again successful, with $4,325 raised toward the
purchase of school supplies and backpacks for 169 East
Tennessee youth. Many donors chose to to shop for the
supplies themselves then donate the filled back pack.
A special thanks to the many Youth Villages team
members who shopped for the supplies on behalf of our
donors, and an additional thanks to our donors:
Sam & Jerry’s Market &
Deli – Jerry Hinson
Mary Lewis
Chelsey Snider
Katie Bondurant
Mary Sharp
Taking IT Home – Leonard
Knight
Ben Grace
Digital Consultants - JR
Charles
Entrepreneurial
Transitions - Robert Wilson
Fay Bailey
Lori McKelvy
Martin & Loretta Brown
Sarah Hicks
Karen Wooten
Rony Gracious
Anne Teasley
Cross Park Realty
Partners - Konda Burnett
Broyles Florist, Inc. - Sara
Engel
Acadia Healthcare – Clay
McCoy
Bailey Insurance - Mike
Bailey
Knoxville Association
of REALTORS©
Michelle LaRose
Ashley Hollendar
Ashley Brooks
Greenbank - Joel Crippen
Fleenor Security Systems -
Beth VanDyke
Whitney McKee
Melissa Jackson
Nathan Johnston
Valeria Smith
Katherine Reynolds Bible
Study Group -
Alison Anderson
Katie Connell
Caty Hodges
Julia Landreth
Lindsay Frazier
Aszelee’s working things out.
It’s a long process, but not one she’s
unaccustomed to – she likes to be pre-
pared. And she’s positive; she keeps
reminding herself that in the end, her
efforts will pay off.
Not long ago, Aszelee turned 18
and closed out 10 years in foster care
throughout East Tennessee. In late
May, she graduated from high school.
Months before, she faced the question
most foster children face as they age
out of state custody.
Now what?
“When I was 17, it hit
me that I was about to
get out of foster care
and I didn’t have any
options,” she said. “I had
to find a place to stay,
get insurance, a job, and
I had to finish school. I
didn’t know what was
available. I was a little
overwhelmed.”
She was also angry. Aszelee was
placed in foster care in 2001. She was
physically aggressive and had difficul-
ty coping with frustrating situations.
“Before, I used to lash out in anger,”
Aszelee said. “But now I keep remind-
ing myself that I have a plan and I
have to remember that I’ve got to
make things better for me.”
After many foster homes, she was
referred to Youth Villages’ transitional
living program in September 2010. She
relocated to the Knoxville area.
“It was into the school year, so we
first worked toward finding a school,”
TL Specialist A’lana Rodgers said.
“Before I met Aszelee we spoke on the
phone and I knew I would enjoy work-
ing with her.”
Aszelee did the research and found
housing and transportation resources
she could use. She came up with a
plan that started with finishing high
school and then getting into college.
She’s working on applications and
financial aid now. She would like to
pursue performing arts in college.
Youth Villages began transitional liv-
ing for youth aging out of state custody
in 1999. Through a grant from The Day
Foundation, Youth Villages helps these
children get a good start on adulthood
in the crucial years between age 17
and 22. Transitional living special-
ists help young people learn to deal
with the minor and major problems
that come with adulthood. They help
participants find housing and health
services, learn how to access trans-
portation, meet their basic needs and
work through educational and career
goals.
“She’s so resourceful,” A’lana said.
“When we meet, she thinks things
through, comes up with a plan and
says, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do.’
It’s unusual for someone to be that
focused.”
Aszelee’s drive to better her situ-
ation included a summer visit to ex-
tended relatives out of state. Aszelee
has a network of friends and former
foster parents for support. She had
some good, but many bad experiences
in foster care.
“Foster care was difficult,” she said.
“It didn’t prepare me for anything. I’m
probably more driven sometimes be-
cause of my situation, but I had to find
resources myself. I had to get out and
look around to find out what to do.”
She wants to teach and also be a
foster parent in the future. She wants
youth to know what’s available so they
don’t find themselves in the same situ-
ation at 17.
Aszelee said she’s “keeping her eyes
on the prize,” as she works toward her
goals – getting out, getting a degree
and helping others.
And in the future, should another
youth much like her be placed in her
care as a foster child? They shouldn’t
worry.
They’ll have a plan. They’ll work
things out.
AFTER 10 YEARS IN FOSTER CARE, ASZELEE’S READY FOR INDEPENDENCE
4
Azelee’s graduated high school and is focused on college and beginning an independent life.
5
LEGACY OF CARING LEFT FOR FAMILY AND FOSTER YOUTH“Whatever happened before, it won’t
happen here.”
Larry was a salesman for more
than two decades when he was
diagnosed with cancer. He wasn’t able
to keep his job through the treat-
ments. Unable to work, he confessed
to his wife, Nancy, that he would go stir
crazy if he didn’t find something to do.
Nancy, a medical coder, heard a spot
about Youth Villages and the need
for foster parents on a local Christian
radio station.
“I told him about it and he called,”
she said. “I guess the rest is history.”
There are three boys in Nancy’s
home, ages 16, 17 and 18. They all have
difficult pasts. They’re just three of the
more than 30 teenage boys Nancy and
Larry have fostered over the years. Lar-
ry, the oldest of eight children, wanted
to help the toughest ones. Larry and
Nancy’s biological children didn’t mind.
“The teenage boys, that’s who Larry
wanted to help,” Nancy said. “They
seemed to be the best fit for us. We
fostered juvenile justice children for
a very long time. Some of them were
very difficult.”
Devan, their youngest biological son,
was more succinct.
“We got the kids nobody else want-
ed,” he said. “Dad was strict, but he
was fair and honest.”
Larry told the youth when they first
came to the house that everyone was
treated the same. The first priority
was safety and security.
“I’d show them their room and
sometimes they’d come right back
out, sometimes they’d stay in there
for a while,” Nancy said. “Then we’d
tell them, ‘You’re safe here. Whatever
happened to you is in the past, and it
won’t happen here.”
“When you’re family, you pull
together.”
Larry passed away last summer. His
last years were spent helping foster
teenage youth and assisting his young-
est son, Devan, with a mixed martial
arts training center. The foster chil-
dren also helped with the business,
some even participating in the classes.
Devan runs the center, trains and
fights professionally.
Just a few short months after Larry’s
death, his imprint is left on the youth
he helped and the children he raised
with Nancy. Devan returned home to
help.
“I couldn’t ask for better parents,”
Devan said. “Mom and dad were al-
ways taking care of people, and there
was always someone at the house
when I was growing up.”
At the heart of their success were
Larry and Nancy’s complementary
strengths, and love.
“What made us a good team was
that he was very strict, but fair and
consistent with all the children,”
Nancy said. “He wouldn’t lie to them.
Granted, we had older boys, but they
respected him for the way he treated
Robert’s had a big summer.
He attended a leadership forum at Disneyworld, attend-
ed his high school prom, became a Christian and gradu-
ated high school. He’s also narrowed his college choices for
the fall.
Robert has been staying with Nancy and Larry for the
past few months. Their home had a big effect on him.
“Before, I wasn’t really confident,” he said. “But they ac-
cepted me and I felt more at ease. I could be myself.”
Larry recently passed away, and Robert’s more commit-
ted to helping the family stay successful, including helping
ROBERT PREPARES FOR COLLEGE
continued on page 6
continued on page 6Robert with his TL specialist, Cassie
6
them.”
“She’s the best mom I’ve had,” one
foster youth said.
“Mom’s better at sugar-coating
things,” another said. “She’s very
comforting and motherly. She listens,
doesn’t judge and genuinely cares
about you.”
The family spoke often about the
inevitable.
“We knew cancer would eventually
get Larry, and I knew the children
were wondering what would happen,”
Nancy said. “I brought it up one day
and told them odds are Larry’s not go-
ing to live a long time, you never know,
but I’m still going to be a foster parent.
“I’m not giving you kids back. When
you’re family, you pull together.”
Many of their former foster children
come back to visit. Nancy and Larry
thought about fostering children many
years before, but they wanted to wait
until their children were older. Devan
was a senior in high school when Larry
was first diagnosed. Now the family is
stronger and more committed to one
another.
“These kids are like brothers to me,”
Devan said, acknowledging the three
youth in their home. “They help out
with the martial arts center and help
around the home.”
Devan’s move back home has been
good for the children and her, Nancy
said.
“It’s just the same as any home,” she
said. “They tried me a little bit to see
what they could get away with, but De-
van’s stepped up to help. They really
love Devan.”
Nancy’s oldest son is in the Air
Force. Nancy said Larry was a tire-
less advocate for the children, going
to court on their behalf, cooking for
them, helping them, coaching them
and most important, letting them
find their own way while having a
safe place to stay. Larry’s passing has
brought the family closer, but it’s also
strengthened Nancy’s commitment to
helping children.
“I don’t think they know how much
they really help just being here and
helping to get through this time,” she
said. “We’re just plain old people. But
so many kids need somebody to be
good to them and be there for them.”
In addition to the family, Larry will
also be missed at Youth Villages.
“What an honor it was to know him
and serve with him,” said Julie Bau-
man, treatment foster care supervisor
in Youth Villages’ Knoxville office.
Hilary Campbell, placement spe-
cialist for the East Region, said: “After
learning of Larry’s passing, I asked
one of the boys in Larry and Nancy’s
care how he was doing. He said, ‘OK
… well, not good … I mean, I just lost
my dad.’”
with the family business, a
mixed martial arts school
run by Devan, Larry and
Nancy’s youngest biologi-
cal son. But Robert’s circle
of help doesn’t end with
his family. Robert’s par-
ticipating in Youth Villages’
transitional living program.
Cassie Mitchell is his TL
specialist.
“Cassie’s the biggest
help,” Robert said. “We’re
working on time manage-
ment skills and researching
colleges. She’s helping me
with financial aid paper-
work for school.”
Youth Villages began a
transitional living program
in 1999 to help children get
a good start on adulthood in
the crucial years between
age 17 and 22. Transitional
living specialists help young
people learn to deal with the
minor and major problems
that come with adulthood.
They help participants find
housing and health services,
learn how to access trans-
portation and meet their
basic needs. Counselors
teach life skills like budget-
ing, menu planning and
grocery shopping. Young
people in the transitional
living program set education
and career goals.
Robert is also a member
of the second group of YV
Scholars. Youth Villages
recently began offering ad-
ditional support for youth
in the transitional living
program who plan to go to
college.
Cassie and Robert visit
regularly and talk nearly
every day. Robert also credits his foster home for
getting him on this path to a
brighter future.
“It’s the best home in
the world,” he said. “We do
everything together. Six
months ago I wasn’t like I
am now.”
Robert’s spent many years
in foster care.
He was adopted once
before, but his adoptive
parent terminated rights.
He has a history of physi-
cal aggression and other
behaviors. Cassie met
Robert before he enrolled in
the TL program. She filled
in for another employee by
transporting Robert a few
months before.
“We hit it off right away,”
Cassie said. “We found that
we have quite a bit in com-
mon. When Robert came
to TL, we didn’t have to go
through that orientation
period because we already
knew each other pretty
well.”
And with a support
structure in place, Robert is
excited about his future.
“I’ve gotten a lot out of the
past six months,” Robert
said. “It’s been a lot of firsts
for me. The support I’ve
received from home and
from Cassie has allowed me
to do it, to stretch out and
do things I didn’t think I’d
be able to do.”
LARRYfrom page 5
READY FOR COLLEGE AND INDEPENDENCEfrom page 3
7
There are numerous ways to help.
Mentor, foster parent, volunteer or
financially donate to our programs.
Your support can have a direct
impact on the future of the more
than 450 children we help every day.
Please call or e-mail me to find out
how to help.
JOIN OUR EFFORTS Become a force for families
Gary JohnsonDevelopment Manager
865-560-2075
There are as many different ways to support Youth
Villages as there are needs for your support. If you
are new to the concept of planned giving, please click
Donate on www.YouthVillages.org and then go to the
Planned Giving website for information on wills and be-
quests, gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, charitable
remainder trusts, gifts of retirement assets, life insur-
ance and charitable lead trusts.
Resources there include definitions, wording for wills,
stories of how instruments are created and much more.
You may want to visit the planned giving calculator to
see what a planned gift would mean in your unique cir-
cumstances. For information, contact Gary Johnson at
865-560-2075 or e-mail [email protected].
Thinking of a planned gift?
Youth Villages hosts CEO breakfast
Join our networks
www.facebook.com/youthvillages
www.twitter.com/youthvillages
www.youthvillages.wordpress.com
Youth Villages in Knoxville recently
hosted a CEO breakfast at Sequoyah Grill
in Bearden Village. Bryan Jordan, CEO
of First Horizon and Youth Villages board
member, spoke to 20 of Knoxville’s promi-
nent leaders about responsible community
investment. Youth Villages CEO Pat Lawler
also showed a brief video of Youth Villages’
work to help at-risk
children. In addition.
Youth Villages Transi-
tional Living Specialist
A’lana Rodgers inter-
viewed Carom, a young
adult in the TL pro-
gram. Carom shared
her story of growing up
in foster care and how Youth Villages has
helped her since aging out of state custody,
including finding a job, a place to live and
many other requirements of independent
living.
Attendees were also shown how they
could help Youth Villages through a dona-
tion or volunteer opportunity.
Alabama:Arkansas:Florida:Georgia:Massachusetts:Mississippi:New Hampshire:North Carolina:Oregon: PortlandTennessee:
Texas: DallasWashington, D.C.
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES
Founded in Memphis, Tenn., in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective pro-
a fully integrated continuum of services, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care and adoption, mentoring and a transitional living program for young adults aging out of foster care.
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 865-560-2075
to have your name removed from our mailing list.
New Heights East Tennessee is published by Youth Villages
Managing Editor: Gary Johnson
Associate Editor: Chris Pennington