The difference was staggering.

Even people outside the home noticed the change for the better.

Here’s Rodney playing football, sitting in class without disrupting, being respectful to his teachers and his mother. But mom remembers the near decade before this change.

“He could go from zero to 10 super-quick,” his mother, Kimbella, said. “People told us it was him just being a teenager, or it was just him acting out. But I know Rodney, and it wasn’t him.”

Youth Villages Family Intervention Specialist Zaneta Barnett’s first priority was to get Rodney set up with a physician.

The family found out Rodney’s bipolar disorder could be treated effectively with proper medication, which almost eliminated his behavior issues of physical and verbal aggression.

“Many of his other behavior issues still had to be dealt with after we addressed the medication,” Zaneta, whom they called “Miss Z,” said. “They’re a great family, and we needed to go to the school and establish that connection with them and also establish some boundaries at home.”

Rodney’s outbursts before had many times resulted in him getting what he wanted. In a small apartment with five family members, doing that meant keeping the peace.

But Kimbella wanted something more – she wanted her son back.

“Now I can have a conversation with him,” she said. “Now he goes to school and football practice. He’s contemplating joining the debate team.”

Zaneta worked with the school, even sitting in on some of Rodney’s classes, to show both the school and Rodney the level of commitment and support he was receiving.

In return, as he earned the trust of his family, Rodney began earning more freedom. On those occasions when he gets worked up, he uses relaxation skills he learned from Zaneta.

“I’m thankful it got better, and it’s still improving,” Kimbella said. “Between the medication and Youth Villages, he’s improved so much.”

Rodney also has a mentor and plans to participate in track and field. At 15, he still has issues from time to time, but it’s different – now he’s just being a teenager.

“Youth Villages was the best thing that ever happened to him,” Kimbella said. “And I don’t know where I’d be without Youth Villages.”

“They are a great family,” Zaneta said. “Once Rodney saw the amount of support for him, he began to hold himself accountable and he’s accomplished a lot in a small amount of time.”

Eric with grandparents Pam and Peter

Pam’s seen quite a bit. So has her grandson, Eric.

Just 12 years old, Eric is on his way toward success. Part of this success can be attributed to changes in the home. Another part of his success can be attributed to Youth Villages Family Counselor Cindy Swartz, who worked with the family.

Eric’s grandparents, Pam and Peter, adopted many children over the years, and are now raising some of their children’s children.

“We always wanted to adopt,” Pam said. “I had an aunt who adopted children and they were my cousins.”

Eric’s early years were very unsettled, and it resulted in behavior issues. When he came to Pam and Peter’s home, his older siblings quietly gave him the message that they didn’t want him there.

“Eric wanted to be liked,” Pam said.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) has been demonstrated to be successful in helping young people ages 12 to 17 who display serious antisocial behaviors and are at risk of placement out of the home due to their behaviors.

One of the younger children in the home referred to Cindy as “our Cindy,” as she visited the home three times a week, sometimes more. Pam said it helped having Cindy to speak with concerning certain issues.

“It made a huge difference to have her suggest solutions and talk through things,” Pam said.

Eric felt left out when he was younger, and he needed help dealing with that. But after working with Cindy, the tension in the home eased. Eric began pursuing positive interests – he enjoys drawing and reading. Pam and Peter make more time for him, and his school has also made a commitment to helping out.

“It’s nice for them to be able to point out Eric’s positive behavior rather than the negative,” Cindy said. “Eric is very bright and has a lot of potential.”

“We caught him – MST caught him before he went off the cliff,” Pam said. “Before, our concern was on what he was doing that wasn’t OK. Now, our focus is on what he does right. It’s a much better place to be.”

Rachel Johnson, program manager, and Alyssa Osburn, therapist, at Youth Villages Oregon work on Netsmart’s Evolv-CS, a new electronic medical records system rolled out to staff this month. A grant of $7.5 million from Microsoft enhanced the new system, increasing access for users.

A Microsoft grant of more than $7.4 million dollars in software and technology to Youth Villages is powering up a new electronic medical records system for staff who provide intensive in-home, residential and transitional services in Oregon.

The grant, a part of Microsoft’s YouthSpark initiative, also will enhance Youth Villages Oregon’s internal and external communications systems.

“We’re pleased to have Microsoft as one of our most important partners,” said Lynne Saxton, executive director of Youth Villages Oregon. “This grant allows us to support our staff with modern clinical records and office technology, enabling them to do their best work for children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families.”

Counselors and staff who work in Youth Villages Oregon’s Intercept, intensive in-home services program and on the Christie and Clackamas Campuses completed training and began using Netsmart’s Evolv-CS web-based electronic health record software system last week. The grant from Microsoft has allowed infrastructure, server and workstation enhancements, bringing more access and efficiency to the new system.

Youth Villages Oregon staff members use the health record system to perform critical functions each day, such as accessing medical records, documenting treatment plans and reporting to parents and referral partners.

The grant will also allow an upgrade of Youth Villages Oregon’s Microsoft Sharepoint internal communications intranet.

Across Youth Villages, the grant will be used to upgrade technology services provided to children and youth being helped on residential campuses. Young adults in the Youth Villages transitional living program use computers powered by Microsoft to study for their GED certificates, apply for colleges, prepare resumes and search for and apply for their first jobs.

Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative committed to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries over the next three years. This companywide initiative includes company programs that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

“Through YouthSpark, we’ve made a commitment to provide opportunities for youth to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace,” said Marietta Davis, general manager of Microsoft’s Greater Southeast District. “The Youth Villages grant will give at-risk youth the technology and training critical to success in the technology economy. I’ve been so impressed with the organization that I joined its national board of directors last year.”

Holiday Heroes depends on the contributions of individuals and foundations like BJ’s to help fill the wish lists of hundreds of Massachusetts children receiving help through Youth Villages for emotional and behavioral issues, and help meet the basic needs of their families during the holiday season. The grant to Youth Villages was announced this week as one of a group of grants by BJ’s Charitable Foundation totaling $351,500 made to 56 Massachusetts nonprofits that focus on hunger prevention, education, self sufficiency, and healthcare.

“The goal of BJ’s Charitable Foundation is to create a positive, long-lasting impact on the communities in which BJ’s serves” said Jessica Newman, executive director of BJ’s Charitable Foundation. “Giving back is in the DNA of BJ’s Wholesale Club, and the donations from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation will impact tens of thousands of individuals and families, resulting in a better community for us all.”

BJ’s Charitable Foundation was established with the mission to enrich every community BJ’s Wholesale Clubs serve. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations that primarily benefit the underprivileged in the area of basic needs (hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, education and health). For more information about BJ’s Charitable Foundation, please visit www.bjs.com/charity.

Youth Villages Massachusetts produces lasting results for hundreds of emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families as well as former foster youth each year through its Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach, involving intensive work with the child and family, as well as a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible and providing accountability to families and funders. EFR consistently produces success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care.

In Massachusetts, Youth Villages has offices in Woburn, Worcester, Plymouth, Lawrence and West Springfield, along with a residential campus for girls in Arlington.

Named one of the Top 50 Nonprofits to Work For by Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group in 2010 and 2011, Youth Villages has been recognized by 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. For more information about Youth Villages, visit www.youthvillages.org.

John, far right, has his hands full with his children, Miles, Meonah and Matthew. But the family is close and happy, and they all work together to make the home work. Youth Villages Family Intervention Specialist Kimberly Hardy is also pictured.

John keeps rewards handy, and seems to forget how many times he repeats instructions, as if each time were the first.

As two children with special needs take advantage of every space in a sparse, tidy living room, he metes his instructions, over and over again, quick to smile and praise when they’re followed.

Miles, 12, the oldest and third sibling, enters with a hearty hello, giving his brother and sister a renewed energy John attempts to rein in. It doesn’t work. The children laugh and run about for a few minutes.

John, father of Miles, Meonah, 10, and Matthew, 8, shrugs it off. This is just the beginning of his evening.

“It’s a challenge,” John said. “But we’re working together on a good routine and they’re getting better.”

Their energy drained for the moment, the children settle into personal projects. Meonah practices writing her letters, while Matthew plays at the other end of the living room. Miles sits in the kitchen eating a snack.

All three children were in foster care for eight years before John regained custody in September. Youth Villages Family Intervention Specialist Kimberly Hardy worked with the family to help ensure John had support in dealing with children who have special needs.

“John has done very well learning how to deal with special needs children,” Kimberly said. “He also had to learn how to communicate with caregivers and therapists.”

His children at times don’t want to be touched. They don’t like the feeling of a toothbrush on their teeth. They can have tantrums at any time. John learned about those moments, de-escalation techniques and community resources to learn more about autism.

“I’m happy to have my children back,” John said. “But this is more than just a full-time job. I’ve learned how to plan ahead and also make sure they eat well and get plenty of rest.”

John overcame alcohol and substance abuse to create a home for his children.

“If he hadn’t taken the steps for custody, the children would have been placed for adoption,” Kimberly said. “He struggled at first, but he’s not afraid to ask questions and learn, and he’s always had a strong love for his children.”

John said Kimberly and representatives from the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services were 100 percent behind his effort.

“I knew the challenges I was facing,” John said. “But they kept me positive. They worked with me all the way.”
John has family and friends who help him out, but the children and he are tight – it’s clear they’re close to one another and their father, who has dreams about their future success.

“I’d like to see them get the best education,” John said. “I want them to graduate high school and be successful.”

John begins to sweep the kitchen as the children sit together on the sofa. Miles sings along with the opening song to “Bob the Builder” on the television. They’re settled, eating a snack. It’s apparent this is the family’s together time.

“I had to work things out, but it was up to me – I was the last option,” John said. “Someone else in my situation, I’d tell them my story and tell them it can be done.”

Because of the generosity of supporters, Youth Villages fulfilled the holiday wishes of more than 440 youth in need from 236 families participating in our New England programs (which includes 78 adolescent girls living at the Youth Villages – Germaine Lawrence Campus – our newest program).

View a photo gallery featuring event photos, the words of volunteers and thank-you notes from the children.

Several specialists who work with youth and their families in their homes shared some heartwarming stories about how the gifts from Holiday Heroes made a difference this holiday season.

I work with a 19-year-old young lady who is entering her second semester in college while working part-time. One of the gifts this young lady received through the Holiday Heroes initiative was a winter jacket. When she pulled the winter jacket out of the bag, the look of excitement on her face was overwhelming. She was so excited to have a nice, warm jacket and loved the fact it had the fur on the hood! She said that she would never be cold again walking to school or work and was grateful that someone had thought of her during the holiday season. She even texted me the next day, and, once again, expressed her gratitude for the coat. She said she was walking to work and that the coat was awesome and keeping her nice and warm. She thanked me again for bringing her the coat and asked if I could thank whomever got it for her. I spoke with her this morning and again, she brought up the coat and was so thankful she had it because it was so cold out.

- Katie Ross, Transitional Living Specialist

Personally, I was in awe of the generosity of our Holiday Heroes. Every family I work with received gifts! As I helped one mother sort through the gifts for her four children, she informed me that the gifts the children received from Holiday Heroes were going to be ‘their best and favorite gifts.’ The thoughtfulness of individuals who sponsored children was amazing to me and I could tell that those gifts had been handpicked for each child based on their interests. I truly felt like I received a gift myself seeing the excitement and relief in the eyes of some of the parents I work with when I got to give them the gifts donated by our generous Holiday Heroes!

- Laura Nason, Intercept Specialist

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their hard work and generosity this holiday season. I personally think this is the best initiative Youth Villages does. I felt so lucky to be able to ‘play Santa’ for the day and deliver all of the gifts to my families! More than one of the mothers I work with cried when she saw the bags of overflowing gifts for her kids. It’s so special that their children get to experience the Christmas they deserve and the parents are overjoyed to be able to provide that for them, thanks to our Holiday Heroes.

- Alexandria Culkeen, Intercept Specialist

Happy Holidays from Youth Villages! Thank you for supporting our work as The Force for Families.

Having web designers, but no elves, Saturno staff will be shopping Friday afternoon, probably at the Jantzen Beach Target. Managing partner Greg Fredette will join other staff members in a shopping spree to fill the children’s wishlists, which include clothes, pajamas, MP3 players, a scattering of Hello Kitty! and games.

“We so appreciate Saturno’s support of our children,” said Betsy Miller, development manager at Youth Villages Oregon. “It’s a difficult time of the year for many of our kids, who may be separated from their families on Christmas Day. It’s important for them to know the community cares, and Saturno does that.”

Every year, Saturno employees pick charities for holiday donations. Fredette always chooses Youth Villages Oregon, a connection made when a young family member received help years ago on its Christie Campus at Lake Oswego.

“I don’t think the public knows enough about these children and their needs. It’s fun for our staff to shop for them, and it adds a special meaning to our holiday party later on in the evening.” – Greg Fredette, Saturno managing partner

Fredette said Saturno donations will also go to the Salvation Army, Sisters of the Road, the Oregon Humane Society, Central City Concern and Free Geek this year.

Youth Villages Oregon is a new name for a nonprofit organization that has been helping children and families live successfully in the state since 1859. Formed last year through the merger of ChristieCare and the national nonprofit Youth Villages, the organization provides Intercept intensive in-home and residential services to children with emotional and behavior problems and their families. Using its Evidentiary Family Restoration™ approach, which involves intensive work with the child and family, a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible, and providing accountability to families and funders, Youth Villages consistently produces lasting success for children.

One of the nation’s first and largest providers of intensive in-home services, Youth Villages this year will help more than 20,000 children and families in 11 states and Washington, D.C. Named one of the Top 50 Nonprofits to Work For by Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group in 2010 and 2011, Youth Villages has been recognized by 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. For more information, visit www.youthvillages.org.

Click the photo above to view a gallery featuring thank-you notes from some of the children and photos from corporate partners and our Backpack Shindig fundraising event.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Youth Villages was able to distribute backpacks filled with new school supplies to more than 260 children from 120 of our neediest families across New England. We couldn’t have done this without this tremendous support!

For a first-hand account of the difference this effort made in the lives of one family, please read this account from Michelle Peterson, a Youth Villages transitional living specialist. Also check out the gallery below featuring thank-you notes from some of the children and photos from corporate partners and our Backpack Shindig fundraising event.

I recently dropped off the backpacks for Liana and her 7-month-old daughter, Lianny. Liana had just been through a very rough week. Her apartment was infested with bed bugs, her gas was shut off, her work hours were cut and her school was threatening to not allow her to start her first semester of college courses due to forgetting to waive the insurance during orientation (this was later resolved with her specialist and she will be starting courses in the fall). As if the week wasn’t terrible enough, her mother unexpectedly passed away. When I handed Liana her stuffed backpack, she was so grateful for everything and started rummaging through it immediately. She was thrilled that the donor had paid attention to her love for pinks. She jumped out of her seat to try on the clothes that she was given and they fit perfectly! When she opened Lianny’s backpack to find little fall outfits, Liana’s excitement had the baby squealing in her high chair and reaching for her cute new clothes. Mother and daughter did not stop laughing for at least 15 minutes straight! She couldn’t stop thanking us for helping her out, especially during such a rough time. Because of the tremendous support from the community through this initiative, she shared with me that she finally feels ready for college and is very motivated to begin school on a positive note. Thank you everyone who helped make this possible for this deserving young woman.