FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Joey Logano Foundation donates $142,000 to Youth Villages

  CONTACT:     Tara Robertson, MBA 803-528-7373 tara.robertson@youthvillages.org   CHARLOTTE, N.C. – One hundred youth aging out of foster care in the Charlotte area just got a needed boost to assist them as they transition out of state custody, thanks to a recent grant from the Joey Logano Foundation (JLF). The contribution will support the Youth Villages YVLifeSet program designed to help youth aging out of foster care. “At the Joey Logano Foundation, we are proud of our commitment to inspire others to live a life of generosity. That’s one of the reasons why supporting Youth Villages is such a great fit for us,” said Brittany Logano, JLF vice-chair and secretary, as well as Joey’s wife. “We hope our pledge to support the work this great organization is doing to help foster kids successfully transition to adulthood will encourage others to lend their support as well.” The partnership with JLF comes at a critical time for North Carolina as the number of youth aging out of foster care continues to rise. A recent statewide study shows a 10 percent increase from 2016 in the number of youth aging out of foster care. “We are extremely grateful to the Joey Logano Foundation for recognizing the important work Youth Villages is doing to support children and families, as well as former foster youth through our YVLifeSet program,” said Paul Enderson, executive director of Youth Villages North Carolina. “With their generous support, Youth Villages is one step closer to being able to offer this critically important program to every youth in need in the Charlotte area.” Youth aging out of foster care without the support structure of a safe, permanent and loving family face tremendous odds when it comes to transitioning into adulthood. YVLifeSet helps them make a successful transition to adulthood, helping reduce cases of homelessness, incomplete education, a cycle of unemployment, early parenthood, health issues, substance abuse, and sometimes incarceration. “In my life, I’ve learned the value of second chances; that’s why we’re focused on supporting organizations that provide opportunities for a fresh start to vulnerable children and families,” said Joey Logano, JLF chairman and driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford for Penske Racing in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series. “We’re so proud to be part of the great work Youth Villages is doing to provide a path forward for young people aging out of foster care.” Youth Villages launched YVLifeSet in North Carolina in 2008 and is committed to ensuring every young person in the state who ages out of foster care will have access to this outcome-based program by 2020. Youth Villages North Carolina has helped more than 1,200 former foster youth to date.

About The Joey Logano Foundation Founded in 2013, The Joey Logano Foundation invests in organizations offering second chances to children and young adults during times of crisis and works to inspire others to live a life of generosity. Through grant making, charity events, and fan club participation, The Joey Logano Foundation continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and adults in need across the country. To learn more, visit joeyloganofoundation.com.

About Youth Villages North Carolina Youth Villages North Carolina is a private nonprofit organization that helps children and young adults with emotional, behavioral and mental health issues live successfully. The organization provides Intercept, Youth Villages’ intensive in-home services, and YVLifeSet, one of the country’s most effective programs to help former foster youth become productive, independent adults. Since 2005, Youth Villages has helped more than 12,000 children, families and young people in North Carolina from offices in Asheville, Boone, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh-Durham, Louisburg, and Waynesville. For more information, visit youthvillages.org/northcarolina.