MOSELINE WORKS TOWARD HER GOALSAfter graduating high school, Moseline prepares for independent future

STAYING WARM THIS WINTERYV partners with Coats for Kids

Family  Victories  from  Youth  Villages  Massachusetts Spring 2011

YV featured as a human services innovator

Holiday Heroes bring cheer

Counselor connects with John through hoops

2

Matthew Stone, MSSW

Massachusetts State Manager

matthew.stone@youthvillages.org

781-937-7917

Springfield

WorcesterMassachusetts

Lawrence

Woburn

Plymouth

A  Message  from

Partnerships help us reach more children

Thanks to the support and partnerships of the Department of Children and

Families, The Department of Mental Health, the Department of Youth Services,

the Family Networks staff and others, Youth Villages in Massachusetts is experi-

encing tremendous growth.

We are helping more children and young adults than ever before through our

Intercept and transitional living programs and are expanding into new regions of

the Commonwealth.

Youth aging out of the state foster care system face tremendous challenges,

and our transitional living program is being utilized to help vulnerable young

people adjust to independent adult living. We’re serving more than 45 of the

Commonwealth’s most at-risk young adults in the TL program in the northeast

and greater Boston areas, and we’re beginning to serve youth in the central part

of the state.

By partnering with the Department of Children and Families, the Department

of Mental Health and other nonprofits, we’ve expanded our intensive in-home

services as well. We now serve more than 75 families in our Intercept program

from nearly every part of the state, including the Plymouth and Cape Cod areas,

as well as the western region of Massachusetts.

Our leadership council, comprising some of the state’s top business and civic

leaders, continues to help us promote the important work we do in the communi-

ty. In addition, they hold us accountable for achieving positive results. They play

an important role in our advocacy efforts, and we look forward to expanding our

community and volunteer work.

We’re excited to be able to help more youth in the Commonwealth and bring

about a change that will have a positive impact for generations to come. With

your help, we continue to reach even more children, young people and families.

Thanks for joining with us as we work to help Massachusetts’ children and fami-

lies live successfully.

George D’ErricoWilliam FosterDeborah FungRobert P. GittensPaul S. GroganMargaret HallJoanna Jacobson*Paul F. LevyMelinda MarbleRobert M. NephewMark E. RobinsonMarylou SuddersWarren E. TolmanGreg Torres

* member of Youth Villages’ national board of directors

Woburn (state headquarters)400 West Cummings ParkSuite 5200Woburn, MA 01801phone: 781-937-7900fax: 781-937-7901

Worcester324 Grove Street, 1st floorWorcester, MA 01605phone: 508-368-4300fax: 508-368-4301

Springfield30A Capital DriveWest Springield, MA 01089

Plymouth36 Cordage Park CircleSuite 211Plymouth, MA 02360

Lawrencec/o MSPCC439 South Union StreetLawrence, MA 01843phone: 978-349-8580fax: 978-681-9508

MASSACHUSETTSLEADERSHIP COUNCIL

CONTACT US

3

A simple basketball game of H-O-R-S-E helped change

John’s life.

When Youth Villages Family Intervention Specialist

Jessica Mott first met John, he was curled up in the cor-

ner of a room, refusing to speak. The second time, John

was clutching a baseball bat, threatening to hurt anyone

who came near.

Mott calmed John down that day and began earning

his trust. John likes outdoor activities, and things began

to change when the counselor challenged him to a back-

yard game of H-O-R-S-E.

“At first, I didn’t ask him any questions,” Mott said. “We

would just play basketball.”

The 14-year-old Lynn boy has serious emotional and be-

havioral problems that began to appear when he started

kindergarten. He would lash out physically and verbally,

attacking his parents and teachers. His parents tried

everything, but after long stays at several residential pro-

grams, John hadn’t been able to transition home.

Professionals in Youth Villages’ Intercept intensive

in-home services program were assigned to help John

make a successful transition home after an 18-month

stay in a residential facility.

Over time, John looked forward to Mott’s visits three

times a week. The games became the setting in which

John would open up to his specialist.

“He told me what he was feeling, what he needed,”

Mott said.

Mott was able to help John’s parents develop behavior

plans with set rewards and consequences and consis-

tency when handling the boy’s demands. She helped the

couple build safety plans that kept the family and John

safe in case of emotional outbursts.

“She really connected with him,” John’s mother said of

Mott. “We’ve had plenty of therapists come into our home

over the years, but none of the others reached him. She’s

a hands-on type of therapist, and he loves that.”

Youth Villages Massachusetts provides intensive help

for parents, many of whom have been dealing with their

children’s severe behaviors alone. Often parents are

forced to call the police for help when their children’s ag-

gression becomes violent. Having a specialist available 24

hours a day, trained to help in crisis situations, has made

a big difference to the family.

“With Youth Villages, if you have a problem, they’ll

come out,” John’s mother said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s

day or night.”

Mott worked with the family as they fought to get John

into a more appropriate school setting.

“She came to every meeting we had

with the school,” John’s mother said.

“When he did transition to the new

school, Jessica went with him and

helped him feel comfortable and re-

solved any problems.”

The family discharged from Youth Villages’ in-home

services last summer, and John’s behavior continues to im-

prove. John earned Bs and Cs on his latest report card and

has goals to be a plumber. In the meantime, he volunteers

at an adult daycare center for individuals with mental dis-

abilities and participates in an after-school program where

he plays instruments, sings and dances.

Although the family was nervous about losing the rela-

tionship they developed with Mott, they remain confident

the tools they learned during treatment have helped

promote John’s success in the community.

“They are amazing parents,” Mott said. “They both

work full-time jobs and have another son to care for, but

they have stuck by John.”

HOW A GAME OF HORSE HELPED JOHN LEARN SUCCESS

John, far right, is pictured with his family at their home. Since discharge, John is doing well in school and volunteers at an adult daycare center.

Matthew Stone, Youth Villages

Massachusetts state manager, par-

ticipated as a panelist and spoke

about the benefits of Youth Villages’

programs during a summer forum

sponsored by The Boston Founda-

tion.

The forum, titled “The Utility

of Trouble: Maximizing the Value

of Our Human Services Dollars,”

brought people together to better

understand how to bring innovation

to the human services sector.

Featured speakers included Mi-

chael Widmer, president of the Mas-

sachusetts Taxpayers Foundation,

who presented research findings on

the importance of changing the way

human services are delivered. Sana

Fadel, director of public policy at

Rosie’s Place, also presented find-

ings demonstrating the importance

of family preservation and reunifica-

tion, and described the work of the

Strengthening Families Coalition

that is keeping families together.

Her words set the stage for the

ensuing panel discussion.

Vice-chair of the Massachusetts

House Ways and Means Committee

Barbara L’Italien believes the state

needs to consider long-term solu-

tions to the budget crisis as it relates

to human services. Fitchburg State

College Associate Professor Chris-

tine Shane acknowledged that Mas-

sachusetts is in the middle of a crisis,

and that change, while difficult, is

necessary. Shane praised Youth Vil-

lages as an innovative program and

model for keeping families together.

Department of Children and Fami-

lies Commissioner Angelo McClain

spoke next, and noted that DCF has

been shifting money and attention

toward in-home care. Stone spoke

about the need to further pursue in-

tensive in-home programs that save

taxpayers money while improving

outcomes.

The event, moderated by Marylou

Sudders, president and chief ex-

ecutive officer of the Massachusetts

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Children, was an opportunity for

presenters and panelists to highlight

some of the innovative approaches

that can be taken by the human ser-

vices sector to reduce state spend-

ing without sacrificing progress and

success.

Youth Villages’ approach was well

received by the audience and panel-

ists alike, and the forum is proud to

be a catalyst for continued focus on

these issues.

No one expected Moseline to end up

as anyone’s role model. From the age

of 11, when she was removed from her

mother’s home because of abuse and

neglect, the Everett, Mass., girl strug-

gled. She lived with an aunt for several

years, but later ended up in foster care.

“I was just doing whatever I wanted,”

Moseline said. “I didn’t follow any

rules. I didn’t go to school. I might have

ended up homeless.”

Instead, the young woman took cen-

ter stage at a recent BNY Mellon event,

as grants to help young people aging

out of foster care in Massachusetts

were announced. Moseline has been

a participant in Youth Villages’ tran-

sitional living program for 14 months

now. The BNY Mellon grant to Youth

Villages will support the program and

allow it to help more young people.

Moseline was edging toward age 18

when state support was scheduled to

end. She was running out of options

when she found out about Youth Vil-

lages’ transitional living program. The

program gave her hope for the future.

“My transitional living specialist

asked me what my goals were, what I

wanted to do with my life,” Moseline

said. “She helped me see beyond my

current situation.”

Youth Villages’ TL specialists have a

single goal: to do whatever it takes to

help young adults who are leaving fos-

ter care without family support learn

to live successfully on their own and

realize their life goals. When she joined

the program, Moseline’s goals came

sharply into focus – graduate high

school, enroll in college, get a good job

and live a comfortable life. Already,

she has achieved several of her goals

with the help of the transitional living

program.

“I’ve graduated from high school and

I am a full-time student at North Shore

Community College,” Moseline told

the group, sitting poised and confident

in front of the microphone. “I have a

job at a smoothie shop and am able to

save some money. I just purchased a

car and I’m about to move into my own

apartment.”

When the moderator asked Moseline

what else she would like to accomplish,

she quickly answered.

“I’m working toward a degree in hos-

pitality management,” she said. “I want

to find a job where I can put my people

skills to work.”

With the support of BNY Mellon and

the Youth Villages transitional living

program, Moseline is taking the right

first steps toward a successful life.

MOSELINE STEPS TOWARD SUCCESS

4

YV PARTICIPATES IN FORUM ON EFFECTIVE HELP FOR FAMILIES

Moseline with TL Specialist Christie Lotti

5

MASSACHUSETTSPROGRAM SUCCESS

MASSACHUSETTS MILESTONESOCTOBER 5, 2010

DECEMBER 17, 2010

FEBRUARY 1, 2011

MA Intercept program admitted

its first Plymouth family.

MA Intercept discharged its 300th

family.

MA transitional living program

receives its first referral from

Central Massachusetts.

It was my daughter’s work in hu-

man services that first introduced

me to the challenges surrounding

the foster care system and the vast

number of youth aging out of state

care each year who are still in need of support. When

I learned of Youth Villages and the transitional living

program they offer, it struck a chord with me. I agreed

to be on the leadership council because I believe it is

an active way for me to utilize my skill set to make a

difference.

What I find unique about Youth

Villages is that their business model

is centered on metrics, growth and

effective service delivery. After meet-

ing some of the staff and leadership

of the organization, I was impressed

by the efficiency and enthusiasm of

the team. What has been most rewarding about my involve-

ment with Youth Villages is having the confidence that

I’m working with an organization thoroughly commit-

ted to helping children and families and whose team

is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help. That

confidence comes from the time I’ve spent in the field

with their staff and the youth participating in their

transitional living services.

With so many places to consider, if we are going to

invest a piece of ourselves, we want to know that there

will be a positive, meaningful result. I truly believe that by

investing in Youth Villages, the chances of achieving that

objective are very high.

MEET THE YVLEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Bob NephewPresident, RM Nephew and AssociatesLeadership Council Member - Boston

The graph above represents where children are six months after being discharged from Youth Villages’ Intercept intensive in-home services.

Program  Success

6

This year, Youth Villages’ Holiday Heroes initiative

provided more than 160 children from Massachusetts and

New Hampshire with holiday joy and relief. To kick off the

initiative, Youth Villages Massachusetts held its second

annual Holiday Heroes gift drive at J.A. Stats in Downtown

Boston. More than 100 young professionals attended

the event, which raised more than $2,000 and 85 gifts for the

families Youth Villages serves. Additionally, several corporate

partners shopped to fulfill the holiday wishes of more than

100 children. Gifts of all shapes and sizes were distributed to

more than 70 families before Christmas.

After visiting one household, a Youth Villages family

intervention specialist described the mother’s reaction to

receiving gifts: “I had one family who was so appreciative

before I even came with the gifts. Then, when I arrived

with the gifts, she was so elated that she was brought

to tears. For a mother who told me there would be no

Christmas, these donations and the love that inspired

people to give really made a difference.”

Guests were all smiles at the Holiday Heroes gift drive.

Pictured from left to right are Stewart Sol-omon, Youth Villages Intercept Clinical Su-pervisor Edith Block and Kelly Shea.

A heartfelt thank you to our corporate partners who sponsored more than 40

families this holiday season:

Bullhorn, The Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Gordon Brothers Group, JDJ Resources,

JMJ Dance Studio, Kaspersky Lab, OnForce Inc.

Excited employees of OnForce strike a pose with their donated gifts.

Bullhorn employees donated money to purchase gifts for 60 children.

In my opinion, from my past role

as program director for the Massa-

chusetts Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Children Lead Agency

in Haverhill, Youth Villages was the

most intensive service that the Department of Chil-

dren and Families had to offer out of their support and

stabilization service menu.

I found that Youth Villages works best with a family

that has multiple issues and whose baseline presenta-

tion is one of crisis or chaos. The Intercept program

is able to provide the intense services that this type of

family needs in order to stabilize and prioritize their

problems. Additionally, the transitional living program,

although still fairly new in Massachusetts, has been

successful in assisting youth aging out of foster care

in maintaining their own apartments and enrolling in

higher educational programs.

The Intercept family intervention specialists and

transitional living specialists are always willing to do

whatever it takes to meet the goals of treatment for

the youth with whom they work. In my experience with

Youth Villages, I never found there to be a task too

big or too small that the specialists were not willing to

conquer. I believe the intensity of the service and the

dedication of the staff have enabled many youth to be

successful in remaining at home and not having to go

into residential or group home care.

Lori CaseySenior Intensive Care CoordinatorLowell Community Service Agency

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT YOUTH VILLAGES

YV IN THE COMMUNITY

7

Because of the gen-

erosity of several local

donors, seven young

adults were able to at-

tend Red Sox games

during the 2010 season,

and three young adults

attended a Celtics game.

For many of the youth in

our programs, attending

a sporting event is something they only dream about.

If you have tickets to local sporting events or theater productions

that you’d like to donate, please contact Kristin Wright. See contact

information above.

A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS

YV Visionary

BNY Mellon

YV Builder

YV Champion for ChildrenAT&T

YV Leader

YV PARTNERS WITH COATS FOR KIDS TO KEEP FAMILIES WARM

This winter, Youth Villages Massachusetts

joined forces with Coats for Kids, a non-

profit serving at-risk children by collecting

and distributing winter coats to the local

community. As a distribution partner, Youth

Villages worked closely with Coats for Kids

and Anton’s Cleaners to provide gently worn,

dry-cleaned coats to children and families in

need. Because of partnerships like this, all families receiving Youth

Villages’ services and struggling to make ends meet had access to a

basic necessity many of us take for granted—a warm winter coat.

To all those who have supported our

work by making a gift between July 1,

2010 and Dec. 31, 2010, thank you. Your

continued generosity allows us to provide

the most effective services to children

and families across the Commonwealth.

We give a special thanks to those who

contributed $500 or more during this

timeframe.

Kristin Wright, Development Manager 781-937-7931, kristin.wright@youthvillages.org

JOIN OUR EFFORTSBecome  a  force  for  families

There is no better time to be in fundraising

than during the holidays! To see the outpour-

ing of generosity from corporations and indi-

viduals alike is always humbling. This season,

I have been truly moved by the selfless acts

of kindness of our supporters. Because of

the help of so many, more than 70 struggling

families were able to put their stressors aside

and create joyful holiday memories as a fam-

ily. Interested in getting involved?

Learn how: Contact me directly.

Join our networks

www.facebook.com/youthvillages

www.twitter.com/youthvillages

www.youthvillages.wordpress.com

YOUTH VILLAGES

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Texas: DallasWashington, D.C.

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PAIDYOUTH VILLAGES

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages has built a national reputation for offering the most effective programs and services

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please visit www.youthvillages.org to learn more.

Please e-mail kristin.wright@youthvillages.org or call 781-937-7931

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New Heights Massachusetts is published by Youth Villages

Managing Editor: Matthew Stone

Associate Editor: Chris Pennington