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Trustmark steps up as Backpack Hero ... 4
Honoring Mississippi’s Champions for Children ... 6
Junior League of Jackson partners with YV ... 4
Family Victories from Youth Villages Mississippi Winter 2014
Back in family handsConsistent message helps Chris turn behavior around — page 5
A model organizationJournalists highlight how Youth Villages succeeds in new book and tell Fred’s story, a youth who received help from several YV programs — page 4
2 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi
A message from our directorBecause you believe in children
Thanks to your help and support, Youth Villages Missis-
sippi is reaching out to help more children and families
than ever before.
I’m heartened by our recent partnerships that strengthen
our relationships with the community and businesses.
Our recent partnership with the Junior League of Jack-
son adds a much-needed element to our monthly foster
parent support group meetings. In addition to providing
meals, Junior League volunteers also use that time to of-
fer life skills education to children attending the meeting.
Thanks to Trustmark National Bank, we provided more
than 250 backpacks full of school supplies for Mississippi school children in
need.
If you’ve ever wondered how this support, whether through volunteering
or donating time or money, has an effect on kids, read about Chris and his
mother, Leigh Anne.
Faced with a downward spiral of behavior from Chris, her young son, Leigh
Anne had run out of options. Chris’ school had turned its back, and despite
Leigh Anne’s pleas, no one was offering to help.
When the family was referred to Mississippi Youth Programs Around the
Clock, Leigh Anne wasn’t sure anything would help. But she bought into the
program, and Chris’ school came on board.
There is still a way to go for Chris, but he’s back in his school and his grades
are better.
Without someone there to tell Chris and his mother it could be better and
work toward that end, where would they be now? Who stands firm to help
families turn their lives around? Who shows these children and families there
are people who believe in them and that success is achievable?
You do. You know without help and support, there are thousands of children
whose lives would be drastically different. And through your help and support,
more children’s stories can be like Chris’.
Thank you for helping us make more children’s stories have a happier end-
ing, and thank you for supporting Youth Villages.
Katja Russell
Katja Russell
Executive Director of Mississippi
601-572-3727
YOUTH VILLAGESBOARD OF DIRECTORS
MISSISSIPPI LOCAL BOARD
Bryan Jordan, Chairman
Bill Giles, Vice Chairman
Matthew Tarkenton, Secretary
Paul Bower, Treasurer
Mike Bruns, Chairman Emeritus
Marietta Davis
Judith Edge
Nicholas R. Ehlen
Jack A. Eiferman
Willie Gregory
Joanna Jacobson
Karole Lloyd
Mark Medford
Johnny Pitts
H. Patterson Ritz
Michael Rose
Richard W. Talkov
Scotland Thede
David Tyler
Chip Wade
Patrick Lawler, CEO
Mississippi
Tupelo
JacksonBrookhaven
Meridian
Hattiesburg
Columbus
Hernando
Biloxi
Greenwood
Vicksburg
Natchez
Jill Beneke
Michael Forster
Wesla Leech
Sean Perkins
Ravi Raju
Stephanie Rippee
Kathryn Simmons
Susan Smith
Amanda Jones Tollison
Karla Steckler Tye
Sincerely,
Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 3
MISSISSIPPIPROGRAM SUCCESS
The graph above represents the status of Mississippi youth one year after discharge through March 2014. Figures include only youth who received at least 60 days of service and reflect a response rate of 62 percent.
OutcomesAt one-year post-dischargeAt one year post discharge
0
20
40
60
80
100
76%
86%89%
At hom
e with fam
ily
No involvem
entw
ith the law
In school or graduated
*82.7% of youth were in state custody at admission to the program.Program Success
As a national leader in the field of behavioral health, Youth Villages has measured outcomes of children and families participating in its programs since 1994.
Board members play a significant role at the local
level establishing Youth Villages as the leading provider
of effective programs for troubled children and their
families. In Mississippi, two new members, Ravi Raju and
Sean Perkins, recently were appointed.
“This is a unique opportunity to make a direct and
lasting impact on a large group of deserving children
who need our community’s support,” Raju said. “When
I had the opportunity to go on a ride-along and witness
an inspirational session between student and specialist, I
was completely sold on the need and effectiveness of the
program.”
Raju works at Camgian Microsystems in Starkville, and
Perkins works at Regions Bank in Jackson. Both have
extensive experience serving their communities.
Raju has served on Leadership Jackson, the Central
Mississippi Growth Foundation and the executive
committee of the Greater Jackson Chamber of
Commerce. Perkins has served on boards for the
American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Jackson 2000,
Urban League of Greater Jackson and the Mississippi
Children’s Museum.
“As we expand our services to meet the needs of more
children, our local board will be critical to helping ensure
we’re able to do so,” said Katja Russell, executive director
of Mississippi. “With members like Ravi and Sean, we
know we have community allies who share our passion
for helping children and families.”
NEW MISSISSIPPI BOARD MEMBERSRaju, Perkins help with Youth Villages
Katja Russell, center, Youth Villages executive director of Mississippi, with new Mississippi board members Ravi Raju, left, and Sean Perkins
Youth Villages Mississippi is pleased to announce a
new partnership with My Brother’s Cup, makers of gour-
met coffee in Tupelo. Now, you can enjoy the delicious
rich taste of 100 percent Arabica coffee while supporting
a great cause. Choose from flavors like Mountain Rain,
Southern Roasted Pecan or Pumpkin Spice. Just be sure to
enter the donation code “YV” when placing orders online
at www.mybrotherscup.com. For every purchase, $1 will be
donated to Youth Villages.
Kay Pittman, who owns and runs My Brother’s Cup with
her husband, Mike, was drawn to Youth Villages after
learning how effective the organization is in treating emo-
tionally and behaviorally troubled children.
“The more we learn about Youth Villages, the more we
want to support what they do. We are fully on board with
this cause,” Pittman said.
For more information, please contact the Pittmans at
662-491-0923 or [email protected].
YOUTH VILLAGES PARTNERS WITH MY BROTHER’S CUP
4 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi
Youth Villages is highlighted as a
model organization in the new book “A
Path Appears” by renowned journalists
Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
Kristof, columnist for The New York
Times since 2001 and two-time Pulitzer
Prize winner, co-wrote the book with
his wife, WuDunn, after they spent years
reporting on human rights issues in the
developing world.
Youth Villages is one of the organi-
zations recognized. In a chapter titled “Coaching Troubled
Teens,” Kristof and WuDunn identify Youth Villages’ intensive
in-home services that help troubled youth live successfully as
an effective approach.
“YV argues that with the right support and scrutiny, half of
the 600,000 kids in America being raised in effect by the state
(including foster care) could remain with their families or rela-
tives, saving tens of millions of dollars annually and reducing
the trauma and upheaval for those children,” they write.
The book features the story of Fred Burns, a Mississippi
native who was helped by several Youth Villages programs
and now participates in Youth Villages’ transitional living
program.
“With this new stability in his life, Fred began to excel in
sports and academics. He became the first member of his
immediate family to graduate from high school, and he did
it in style: he was valedictorian, with a 4.25 GPA. Fred ac-
cepted an academic scholarship to Mississippi State Uni-
versity, was successful as a walk-on to the football team, and
later transferred to Jackson State University to major in
computer engineering.”
BOOK HIGHLIGHTS HOW YV SUCCEEDS
For the second year in a
row, Trustmark National
Bank provided more than
$3,000 in school supplies for
Youth Villages’ Backpack
Heroes campaign. More than
250 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to
children of all ages in Youth Villages programs.
“Trustmark supplied Youth Villages with everything
from crayons for the younger children to scientific calcu-
lators for high school and college students,” said André
Conway, community relations manager at Youth Vil-
lages. “We are very grateful to have such strong support
from the business community.”
Trustmark’s participation was spearheaded by Angie
Steadman, branch manager, who coordinated with each
branch to ensure the correct supplies were ordered.
YV staff welcomed members of the Trustmark team to celebrate Backpack Heroes. More than 250 stuffed backpacks were distributed to youth across the state.
TRUSTMARK STEPS UP AGAIN TO BE BACKPACK HEROES
Help for foster parents and foster
children reached a new level when
the Junior League of Jackson began its
Foster Care Enrichment project.
Youth Villages hosts parent support
meetings each month for its foster
parents. Through partnering with the
Junior League of Jackson, those meet-
ings now include homemade meals for
the families as well as activities for the
children addressing nutrition, read-
ing, exercise, self-esteem and disease
prevention.
“Partnering with Youth Villages in
this way gives our members an op-
portunity to volunteer in a meaningful
way,” said Tianna Raby, six-year mem-
ber of the Junior League of Jackson
and chairwoman of the Foster Care
Enrichment project.
More than 25 Junior League volun-
teers participate in the project that
runs through May. In addition to the
project, Junior League volunteers also
held special events for the families
during the holidays and plan a family
fun day in the spring.
“We’re grateful for this partnership
with the Junior League of Jackson,”
said Katja Russel, executive director
of Mississippi.
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JACKSON PARTNERS WITH YV
Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 5
To claim Chris was a
handful meant you had
enormous hands.
“Or more than one hand,”
said Kaila Virgil, Youth
Villages Mississippi Youth
Programs Around the Clock
mental health therapist.
“Chris was having three-to-
four critical events a week.”
Chris’ mother, Leigh
Anne, called them “erup-
tions,” and they occurred
mostly at school. Chris
would become defiant and
physically and verbally
aggressive. The behavior
continued when he was put
into an alternative school.
“The school basically
told us ‘We’re over it,’”
Kaila said. “They told us
they wanted him out of the
school.”
Leigh Anne had no an-
swers to Chris’ tantrums.
Without support from Chris’
school, her confidence was
shot. She was at the break-
ing point.
“I kept telling myself,
‘Just get through this fit,’”
she said. “It was tough, but
I tried and did whatever
it took to get him to calm
down.”
A little more than two
years ago, Chris’ school
referred him to Youth Vil-
lages’ MYPAC. When Kaila
first visited the home, her
goal was to get everyone in
the family engaged.
“Everyone brought some-
thing different to helping
Chris,” she said. “I worked
with Chris to get him to
understand it was OK to feel
happy or sad instead of be-
ing aggressive.”
Chris suffered abuse
from his father. Previously
normal behavior dramati-
cally changed following
visits with his father. The
visits stopped, but Chris
still needed help. At school,
Chris would want to call his
mother to be sure she was
safe. Much of his problem
behavior stemmed from
not being allowed to call. In
addition, the lack of com-
munication and cooperation
between the school and
Leigh Anne strained their
relationship.
“There was a lot of bicker-
ing at first with the school,”
Leigh Anne said. “They
would point out all the
negative things Chris did.
I asked them, ‘Can we talk
about the positive things he
did?’”
While Kaila and MYPAC
Primary Service Coordi-
nator Jameeka Williams
worked with Chris and
Leigh Anne in the home,
they also talked with school
staff and established consis-
tency between school and
home. Chris learned ways
to cope with his anger and
frustration. Kaila set up a
feelings chart of more than
40 feelings with accompa-
nying photos. Chris would
point to what feeling best
described how he felt when
he was asked.
“Chris started commu-
nicating better with his
mother and with school
staff,” Kaila said. “Then the
school and Leigh Anne saw
they were both on the same
team. More importantly,
they both wanted to help
Chris.”
Chris was allowed to
phone his mother once a
week. He had signals he
could give school staff so
they’d know when he was
beginning to get frustrated.
Chris’ transformation
TURNING CHRIS AROUND WITH GENTLE HANDS
Youth Villages’ MYPAC uses the family-driven, strengths-based wraparound approach. Our primary service coordinators visit with the child and family in their home at least
weekly to provide intensive case management. Family members and natural supports for the child and family are an integral part of each child and family team. If a family lacks
natural supports, our coordinators will help build a family’s support system.
Chris with his mother, Leigh Anne
MYPAC staff worked to create consistent
message at home and at school
continued on page 6
6 Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi
turned him into one of the favorites at
his school. The principal there made
a big deal out of Chris leaving, inviting
all the children and staff into the hall
to watch Chris receive his notice that
he would be going back to his neigh-
borhood elementary school.
The home now is relaxed. Chris
grills hot dogs and hamburgers for the
family. He plays all kinds of sports and
has neighborhood buddies who visit
and play. He has begun regular school
without incident. He’s not completely
out of the woods, but mom and staff
agree the journey has been significant.
“He’s doing well, but that’s with us
around,” Kaila said. “We want him to
be able to check his behavior on his
own consistently.”
Leigh Anne said her home is more
calm now.
“The other day he came home from
school, did his homework, then went
outside and played,” she said. “It’s a
complete 180 from who Chris was just
a few years ago.”
CHRIS TURNS AROUNDfrom page 5
The 2014 Champions for Children spring luncheon took
place on April 8 at the Youth Villages office in Ridgeland.
Donors who qualified as Champions for Children by giving
$1,000 or more over the course of one year were honored.
Each was presented a glass vase with red tulips and a
framed certificate thanking them for their support.
Katja Russell, executive director of Youth Villages Mis-
sissippi, gave an in-depth presentation to the audience
about how their financial contributions enable Youth Vil-
lages to make a bigger impact in the lives of children and
families.
In addition to the honorees, several friends of Youth
Villages attended the luncheon, as well as members of the
Mississippi board.
“It’s humbling to be among so many who chose to sup-
port Mississippi’s youth,” Russell said. “I was happy to be
able to show them what their contributions not only allow
us to do, but also see how their help makes an immediate,
positive change in the children.”
Champions for Children honored include Capitol
Resources, Cooper and Frances Morrison, CSpire Wire-
less, Dean and Ann Blackwell, Hiram Creekmore, Hu
and Ashley Meena, Scott and Starr Miller, John and Lind
Bussey, John and Jan Gadow, Magnolia Health Plan, Tellus
Operating Group, and Terry and Tracy Godfrey.
HONORING MISSISSIPPI’S CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN
Staff from Capitol Resources and YV’s Katja Russell
Magnolia Health Plan team members with Russell
Katja Russell, Youth Villages executive director of Mississppi (far left) and community relations manager André Conway (far right) with local board members (l to r) Susan Smith, Jill Beneke, Kathryn Simmons and Dr. Michael Forster
Winter 2014 n New Heights n Mississippi 7
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
If you’re planning a gift in
your will or trust for Youth Vil-
lages, you can find help on our
website.
Simply go to youthvillages.
org/plannedgiving and you’re
there.
You will find an introduction
to planned giving and a catego-
ry titled “How Can I ...,” which
lists all the vehicles included in a plan, including
wills and bequests, gifts of appreciated stock or
gifts of real estate. In addition, there is a section
on “why do I need a will,” a glossary of terms, an
estate intention form and much more. For infor-
mation, please contact Steve Benskin at 901-251-
4820 or e-mail [email protected].
Thinking of a planned gift?
Steve Benskin
There are numerous ways to
help. Foster a child, volunteer
or financially donate to our pro-
grams. Your support can have
a direct impact on the future of
hundreds of children we help
every day in Mississippi.
Often, our children come
from extremely disadvantaged
situations. A great way to help
the youth in our programs is
to get involved with our two major programs,
Backpack Heroes in the spring/summer and
Holiday Heroes in the winter. For information on
how you can make a difference, please contact
André Conway at 601-572-3750 or by e-mail at
Become a force for families
André Conway
YV Protector($5,000 to $9,999)Hu and Ashley Meena
YV Builder($1,000 to $4,999)Dean and Ann BlackwellHiram CreekmoreJohn and Jan Gadow
Friend of Youth Villages(up to $999)Larry AdamsTyler BallHenry BarbourStephanie BellMachelle BernheimRobert BranchSusie BurnsJack and Sigrid ConwayCoxwell and Associates PLLCWade and Betsy CreekmoreAdair Cunningham Dick and Pam DavidHenry DickCecil DorrellJennifer DowneyBrooks EasonEvan DillardJan EversEye Works Inc.Dr. Michael ForsterSandra GoodwillLisa GravenerBreanna GriffinLester HaileyRussell HarrisonJane HeinekeJack and Leigh Herrin
Clare HesterG. Douglas HigginbothamChristopher HutchinsonHannah JenkinsVirden JonesJunior League of JacksonDon and Judy LacyWesla LeechRenee LinebargerJohn LundyLee Ann MayoKenneth McClainSherry McWhorterMetrix Solutions LLCHarold MillerScott and Starr MillerRandi MuellerLuther MunfordJ. W. NewmanMr. and Mrs. David OrlanskyThomas PaynePileum CorporationAngela PorterCody and Nicole RaderRH Plumbing Inc.Mary Jane RidgwayDon RobertsJudy RobinsonRoderickis RobinsonSt. Philip’s Episcopal ChurchMark SalvatoreKyle SeageKathryn SimmonsSusan SmithClayton StanleyKayo SykesAmanda TollisonGeorge TompkinsThe University of Southern Mississippi Central Mississippi Alumni ChapterAndy WhiteJerry WhittingtonGeorgia WiseJennifer Young
The following donors made gifts to Youth Villages between
March 31 and Sept. 30, 2014. The board of directors and staff of
Youth Villages gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful contri-
butions. If you made a contribution during this time but it is not
listed, please call the Youth Villages Development department
at 601-572-3750.
THANK YOU
Youth Villages is grateful and honored that Melissa Joan Hart
chose us as the charitable partner for her new boys clothing
line, King of Harts. Proceeds from the collection’s Louie T-shirt
support Youth Villages’ programs.
Hart, star of the television show Melissa & Joey, recently
launched King of Harts with her husband, Mark Wilkerson. Proud
parents of three young sons, the pair were inspired to create
a line of “cool, durable and quality boys clothes.” Hart was the
child star of Clarissa Explains It All and teen star of Sabrina, the
Teenage Witch.
YOUTH VILLAGES HELPED BY THE KING OF HARTS’ LOUIE Tkingofharts.com
Stay in touch online
www.facebook.com/youthvillages
www.twitter.com/youthvillages
youthvillages.wordpress.com
www.youthvillages.org
YOUTH VILLAGES805 South Wheatley Street, Suite 240Ridgeland, MS 39157(Address Service Requested)
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES
Founded in 1986, Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization with a national reputation for offering the most effective local solutions to help children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families live successfully. We help more than 22,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Youth Villages’ Evidentiary Family Restoration® approach involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing unprecedented accountability to families and funders.
A private nonprofit organization, Youth Villages serves more than22,000 children and their families each year from offices in the following cities:Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, MobileArkansas: Jonesboro, Little RockFlorida: Lakeland, MiamiGeorgia: Atlanta, DouglasvilleIndiana: Bloomington, Columbus, Jasper, Jeffersonville, MadisonMassachusetts: Arlington, Lawrence, Plymouth, Springfield, Woburn, WorcesterMississippi: Biloxi, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Jackson, Meridian, TupeloNew Hampshire: ManchesterNorth Carolina: Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, Greenville, Louisburg, Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham, WaynesvilleOklahoma: TulsaOregon: PortlandTennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dickson, Dyersburg, Jackson, Johnson City,Knoxville, Linden, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville, ParisWashington, D.C.
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 601-572-3750 to have your name removed from our mailing list.
New Heights Mississippi is published by Youth Villages
