Photograph of Steven Tyler by Katarina Benzova

STEVEN TYLER RAISES HIS VOICE FOR ABUSED GIRLS

LIFESET PROGRAM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN LAS VEGAS

By Stacey Gualandi

During Aerosmith’s pre-pandemic Las Vegas residency, Steven Tyler’s booming vocals on “Dream On” were just as strong as when he first performed it on stage almost 50 years ago.

Now he continues to use his famously big voice off stage for a cause close to his heart: to give voice to the thousands of girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect.

“Creating a ‘new you’ back in to the world is my dream on,” Tyler said. “We can no longer let them suffer and fall through the cracks.”

One in 5 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18—a staggering statistic.

That’s why Tyler created the nonprofit Janie’s Fund in partnership with Youth Villages 5 years ago to bring much-needed awareness to this issue, and to raise funds for effective support services to help girls overcome the pain of abuse.

Youth Villages’ Chief Development Officer Richard Shaw says together these organizations have made a tremendous impact, specifically through the LifeSet program.  Since its inception, LifeSet has helped more than 20,000 young people aging out of foster care in 18 states, successfully transition to independence. In other words: to get young adults “set for life.”

“The LifeSet model is transforming lives each and every day; delivering results once thought impossible,” Shaw said. “Even with the scars of trauma, these young people possess unlimited potential…to overcome hardship and to create their own path forward, full of optimism, hope and dreams.”

Steven Tyler with girls supported by Janie’s Fund

But their work is far from over, as Tyler learned first-hand while living in Las Vegas last year.

“[In Clark County] there are sexually-trafficked and abused girls and boys, having their futures ripped out from under them; painfully stolen by darkness and evil,” Tyler said. “That’s when I knew I had to do something, but I could never do it alone.”

So Tyler’s Janie’s Fund and Youth Villages, in collaboration with the Clark County Department of Family Services, officially launched a first-of-its-kind LifeSet program in Las Vegas.

The announcement came in a nationwide virtual event that featured Tyler himself; a chance to win an original autographed photo of Tyler; an exclusive performance from Aerosmith; and touching testimonials from former LifeSet participants who have successfully transitioned out of foster care, people like Mariah.

After care is the main source of support for young people, especially so many who have been hit hard by the COVID crisis. Now, DFS will be able to provide them with trained specialists and the tools needed to heal and thrive beyond the walls of Janie’s house; essentially putting them in the driver’s seat of their lives.

For Tyler, this is now his life’s work and legacy. He says if we continue to raise our voices, girls can continue to heal.

“We are not just committed to fighting the fight; we are committed to winning,” Tyler said. “We know we’ll win because light overcomes darkness. This is our new dawn.”

To learn more about Youth Villages’ LifeSet program, click here:
https://youth-villages.wistia.com/medias/2ux1mvclc4

To watch Steven Tyler’s virtual announcement, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/janiesfund/videos/369748964135640

If you would like to become a Janie’s Angel for a chance to win the autographed photo, please visit http://www.janiesfund.org/ before December 31, 2020.