Stronger Than You Think

Growing up, Darrah was the strong one. From a young age, her mother’s mental illness forced her to be the adult of the household. For Darrah, entering the foster care system and experiencing structure for the first time was a relief; but even then, she was on her own. After achieving academic and professional success, Darrah was still confronted with the question: “Who’s going to take care of me?” The answer had been the same all along. Learn how you can be your own greatest ally through the practice of positive affirmation and remember, “You got this!”

Links from the show 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988-273-8255 
• Learn more about all the programs at Youth Villages here. (http://bit.ly/3Q0u3pK )
• Join the force for families. 101 locations across 23 states (including D.C.) Check out open positions near you. (http://bit.ly/3C8hnaV)

Meet the Expert!

Kristin Landers is the Director of LifeSet and Transition Age Services overseeing all clinical needs for the LifeSet program across the country. LifeSet is one of the nation’s first — and now one of the largest — evidence-informed programs helping bridge the gap for young people who are aging out of foster care and transitioning into adulthood. In her role, Landers supports program model fidelity internally and externally, as well as the development of clinical best practices and program model adaptation pilots. Originally from Ashland, Oregon, Kristin graduated from the University of California (undergrad), University of San Francisco (graduate) and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has more than 30 years of experience in the mental health field. Kristin started her journey at Youth Villages over 22 years ago as an in-home specialist.

If you’re interested in working in the LifeSet program, contact us here.  

Full show description 

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast  

 Social Media  

• Instagram - @youthvillages  
• Facebook - @youthvillages  
• Twitter - @youthvillages 
• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages  
• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages 

What qualifies a person to confront gun violence in our communities? Troy Dotson believes his lived experience and ability to freely speak about his life allows him to connect in a way that can leave a meaningful impact on victims and perpetrators of gun violence. As a reformed gang member, minister and now working with Youth Villages’ community violence intervention gun violence reduction initiative Memphis Allies, Troy uses his unique combination of skills and perspective to forge relationships and change trajectories for people in Memphis. He shares his life story, trauma and hardships that have ultimately shaped his passion for this work – work aimed at saving lives and keeping our communities safer.
Links from the show:

• Join the force for families. View open positions with Memphis Allies and Residential

• Learn more about Troy’s story Switch Team Members Have Earned The Right To Be Heard

Full show description:

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

When you’re fresh out of college, it can feel overwhelming to choose a career path and earn skills that you’ll be beholden to for your entire career. For students like Tricia Murphy who knew they wanted to work closely with children and families, the pressure to commit to a graduate-degree program before ever entering the workforce weighs even heavier. But upon finding Youth Villages and its YV360 program, Tricia realized she could work with kids and families, and even grow her career, before deciding to commit to a graduate degree. She shares the impact of internal upward mobility and a willingness to support career growth in her episode of Stronger Than You Think.

Links from the show

• Learn more about our residential services.

• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs

• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here and LifeSet here.

Full show description

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

Unlike football, life doesn’t come with a playbook. But even still, the ability to read situations and respond, to leave losses behind you and trudge forward, and to work as a team to achieve goals are football lessons that apply universally to life. Rictrell Harris brings to his role at Youth Villages years of sports experience. While that sometimes directly translates as he plays pickup games with kids at Bill’s Place, it also is evident in his adaptable approach to family care and his team-oriented mindset. Like many employees at Youth Villages, Rictrell perfectly merges personal experience and passion to best serve children, and he shares a glimpse into those experiences on this episode of Stronger Than You Think.

Links from the show

 • Learn more about our residential services.   

 • Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs  

 • Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here. 

Full show description

 • www.youthvillages.org/podcast 

Social Media 

 • LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages 

 • Instagram - @youthvillages 

 • Facebook - @youthvillages 

 • YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages 

Privacy Policy  

All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. 

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/ 

“Can we start now?” Those are some of the first words Maggie Anglin says to newly enrolled families in her program. The urgency with which she approaches families in the Intercept program is equal parts policy and personal passion. She wishes there would have been someone to intervene on behalf of her 10-year-old self before her depression drove her toward dangerous decisions. With two decades of therapy-fueled recovery under her belt and a master's degree in social work in her back pocket, Maggie can connect with kids in crisis and provide families with tactics to support their needs. Maggie shares how the world today is more friendly toward children learning to navigate mental health challenges, and how a generation of professionals like her are leveraging their experiences to create meaningful change and make their younger selves proud.

Links from the show:

• Join the force for families. View open Nursing positions here.

Full show description

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

Rendering medical services to children who have interwoven physical and mental health needs is something that even the best nursing schools can’t prepare you for. Lyndsey Lewis, like many professionals on her team of nurses, learned through doing and navigating relationships with children under her care. Early in her career, she recognized the life experiences of children at Youth Villages made honest and clear health care relationships important, so she turned to one of the organization’s core tenants for guidance: always do what you say you’re going to do. With this mindset, she has built trust among her youth and team, confronting the most medically and emotionally challenging cases with a desire to create positive outcomes through innovative care.
Links from the show

• Join the force for families. View open Nursing positions here.

Full show description

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

Deeply rooted empathy is often born from life experiences. Latoria Jenkins’ connections with her Youth Villages youth and families are a prime example. Because she navigated years of her older sister’s mental health crises, she is uniquely equipped to walk alongside youth and their families as they work through similar circumstances. And because this has been part of her life story, it makes sense that she frames her career in Youth Villages’ residential program as a lifestyle. Daily, she revels in the opportunity to support children, providing second chances and a new perspective among those who don’t often get them. She sees that as her goal: to leave children with new skills so they can radically change their lives.
Links from the show:

• Learn more about our residential services.

• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs

• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here.

Full show description:

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

Carl Davis’ path to Youth Villages can be outlined through several significant figures: two drug-addicted parents, four siblings who became involved with the justice system, 11 funerals attended for victims of gun violence and countless times when he chose a different path for his life than that of the people he loved. Now, 14 years later, Carl is the Director of Operations for Memphis Allies, a collaborative initiative launched by Youth Villages to reduce gun violence. He still relies upon lessons learned from one of the first young people he helped: consistency, connection and a conscious choice to see the good in people are all things that ignite change and create opportunities for a better future. What takes form is different for each relationship – and his decision to invest in the lives of children and youth at every stage of his career is what saw him move from an overnight teacher counselor to a director of operations.
Links from the show:

• Join the force for families. View open positions with Memphis Allies and Residential

• Helping Young Men Choose a Different Path

Full show description:

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages

• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages

• YouTube - youtube.com/youthvillages

Privacy Policy
All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

A life spent helping others is a life worth living. Dennis McBee knew this was his purpose, but the road to a career supporting families was a winding one. As a young man, he struggled to overcome loss and poverty –and all of the challenges associated with being poor and a self-proclaimed “geek” growing up in South Memphis. While the path wasn’t always smooth, there were people along the way who helped him dream of a brighter future, and he knows the power of that type of hope. Now, he uses his story to connect with children and families served by Youth Villages, building plans and envisioning opportunities beyond their wildest dreams. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains references to suicide (suicidal ideation) that may be triggering and difficult to hear. This trigger warning is to empower you as the listener to make a healthy decision about if/when and how you should consume this podcast. Links from the show

• Learn more about our intensive in-home services.
• Our intensive in-home services program’s new rating allows states to receive federal funding.
• Read how Intercept has helped Lexi and her family in Massachusetts.
• Join the force for families. View open positions here.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255

Full show description

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages
• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages
• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages

Privacy Policy All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/

When you pour your life into your work, you want your company to pour back into you. That's the reciprocal relationship that Whitney Malone found at Youth Villages. In her 11 years with the organization, she has used her life to impact hundreds of children in our residential programs –  and the unique culture at Youth Villages has not only kept her with the organization but has propelled her to grow as a professional. Through the story of her upbringing, collegiate basketball experience and decade-long investment in our children, Whitney provides listeners with a glimpse into the career-building mentality that exists among the Youth Villages team and how hard work begets opportunities to grow, learn and succeed. Links from the show:

• Learn more about all occupational therapy and our residential services.
• Building relationships that heal in Youth Villages’ residential programs.
• Join the force for families. View open positions in residential here.

Full show description

• www.youthvillages.org/podcast

Social Media

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/school/youth-villages
• Instagram - @youthvillages

• Facebook - @youthvillages
• YouTube - youtube.com/user/youthvillages

Privacy Policy All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. youthvillages.org/privacy-statement/