Youth Villages

Memphis Magazine celebrates Youth Villages’ 40th anniversary, as CEO Patrick Lawler reflects on its evolution from a small residential program serving 88 children to a national organization impacting more than 50,000 young people each year.

In Oregon, young people who experience foster care face steep barriers compared to their peers. Only 57% graduate from high school, and many age out of the system without family support. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, only one in 10 foster youth enrolls in college.

When Natalie Clark asked a question about the availability of federal housing vouchers during a policy session at the Family-Focused Treatment Association's 2026 Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., she wasn't speaking as an observer.

When Lucas was younger, he dreamed of playing in the NFL or NBA. But when he was diagnosed with Becker muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness in the legs, pelvis and heart, those dreams suddenly felt out of reach. As his physical abilities changed, so did his outlook on life. At just 8 years old, Lucas struggled with overwhelming feel...

Extended foster care cannot help a young person who never learns it exists. Among surveyed young people who did not participate, 44% said they were unaware of EFC or had not been told about it. At the same time, all 30 state and county child welfare professionals surveyed said caseworkers promote the program.