Fort Worth, Texas – Pulling the fire alarm as a prank got Chloe sent to an alternative school and put on probation. Once on probation, she was referred from Johnson County, Texas’ Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. to the organization’s Tarrant County office in 2019.
“My probation officer told me about a program called YAP that could potentially help to steer me in the right direction,” Chloe wrote in her scholarship application. “I decided to join. After becoming involved in the program, I soon realized the benefits were overflowing with deliciousness. Deliciousness to my soul and overall well-being.”
Chloe is among former YAP program participants and family members or guardians receiving a scholarship from the 2022 Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education.
With the help of YAP and the Endowment Fund, Chloe will use the $1,000 scholarship to purchase textbooks, uniforms, mannequin heads and other supplies she will need for cosmetology school.
“I’ve always had a passion for cosmetology from a young age,” Chloe said. “I love to go out and style my family’s hair (if they let me), and practice make-up designs for them as well.”
YAP is a national nonprofit in 33 states and the District of Columbia that partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, and other systems to provide trauma-informed community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration, congregate placements, residential treatment, and neighborhood violence.
Through YAP Tarrant County’s youth justice program, which partners with Tarrant County Juvenile Services, participants are assigned a neighborhood-based Advocate who helps them see and nurture their strengths and connects them and their families to economic, emotional and educational tools to help them thrive.
“My Advocate and was amazing,” Chloe said. “She helped me learn how to make better decisions, be respectful to adults and control my temper.”
YAP Program Coordinator Rebeca Sandoval said since Chloe has been with YAP, her attitude has improved, she strengthened her relationship with her father, has learned how to communicate more effectively, and has developed positive coping skills.
“Chloe is excited about attending college to continue her journey of self-improvement and to make her father proud,” Sandoval said. “Without a doubt Chloe is well-deserving of assistance from the Tom Jeffers Endowment fund.”
Chloe says she is excited about her future.
“My family and friends are very supportive of my goals and would love to see me thriving in the beauty industry,” she added. “I want to make them proud of me by following my dreams and working hard for something I’ve always wanted.”
To learn more about YAP, visit yapinc.org. You can follow YAP on Twitter @YAPInc.
