Everything is TOXIC. Do not work here. - Counselor Youth Villages Employee Review

1.0
Feb 12, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

In my entry-level position, I was able to gain experience in the field and working 1 on 1 with clients. Also pay was slightly better than most entry level jobs in this field.

Cons

For a company that is centered around helping people, they’re horrible at helping employees. They require 3x the amount of paperwork than other social service agencies (and the majority of the paperwork has no legal/state/insurance requirements, it’s purely internal), and when you end up falling behind because the workload is impossible to manage, they don’t try to help you, they have one half-hearted “problem solving” conversation with you and then write you up. Very few people in LifeSet are able to work there for more than a year or so because burnout is so quick because they expect you to work 24/7. For people with mental health or learning difficulties, they give MINIMAL accommodations and do not listen or care when you ask for help. This job traumatized me because the work culture is so toxic—you aren’t allowed to breathe, you should be working. Also, you’re expected to blindly follow the consultant’s orders (yes, orders) to do whatever they want, even if you know it wouldn’t help the client in any way. Also, you are required to force clients to meet with you, despite no court/DCF mandate—including when clients are sick or dangerous, which risks the health of employees. Any time I tried to take initiative and do something I believed would be helpful for the clients, the clients responded very positively but I was punished for it every time. In summation, the company is more focused on getting paperwork in on time than actually helping clients or helping employees grow.

Explore other reviews about Youth Villages

5.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay and good people

Cons

Long hours and long pay

4.0
May 28, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* Fulfilling mission with meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of children and families. * Competitive pay and benefits compared to many other nonprofit organizations. * Lots of “lifers” and long-tenured employees who are deeply committed to the organization and its mission. * Standard PTO policy that supports work-life balance and encourages employees to take time off. * Strong opportunities for personal and professional growth, especially for employees who take initiative. * Mission-driven culture where people genuinely care about the youth and families served and are committed to doing what’s right. * Great learning environment with experienced colleagues, supportive mentors, and opportunities to develop new skills.

Cons

* Work-life balance can be challenging at times. * Maternity leave and additional benefits lag behind those offered by many peer organizations and employers. * Performance review and compensation structure can make salary growth feel limited without a promotion or role change. * Aging leadership team seems to lack strong succession planning. * Lack of diversity within senior leadership compared to the broader employee base and communities served. * Siloed departments and teams create communication gaps and limit cross-functional collaboration.

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