Hillsborough County, Fla. – Sir credits his Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. Advocate with helping him understand the importance of leveling sports and schoolwork.
“He’s taught me about staying focused, never giving up, and balancing school with football,” Sir wrote in an essay he wrote as part of an application for the Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Scholarship for Continuing Education. “The scholarship will help me reach that dream and keep inspiring others just like my Advocate has inspired me.”
YAP® is a national nonprofit in 33 states and Washington, D.C., providing trauma-informed services reducing the nation’s overreliance on youth incarceration, residential care, and group home foster placements. Celebrating its 50th year in 2025, YAP® partners with public systems to provide community-based wraparound and behavioral health services as an alternative to out-of-home placement.
A former Hillsborough County, Fla. program participant, Sir was paired with neighborhood-based YAP®Advocate Jalem Robinson when he was in high school. Now a student at Webber International University, Sir is one of dozens of YAP’s 2024 scholarship recipients.
“I’ve managed to keep my grades up while still playing my best on the field,” Sir wrote. “[Jalem] showed me that hard works pays off in every part of life, not just sports.”
Named after YAP®’s founder, the Tom Jeffers Fund scholarship is funded nearly 100% by employee donations. Recipients can receive the $1,200 award as tuition, job training/supplies fees, or in the form of a laptop computer. YAP® encourages current and former YAP participants and their parents or guardians, to reapply every year while pursuing their education or career training.
Scholarship in tow, Sir is pursuing sports management and wants to become a football coach someday, inspiring others just like his Advocate Jalem and his younger brother inspired him.
“[Jalem] has been a major influence on me since I have been in the program,” Sir wrote. “He helped shape who I am, not just as a player but as a person.”
Robinson said Sir is dedicated to his family, in addition to being a “compassionate individual” and “true leader,” whose selflessness and compassion contributed to his success on and off the field.
“His passion for football is matched only by his work ethic and team spirit,” Robinson wrote in Sir’s recommendation letter. “On the field, he is not only a skilled athlete but a natural leader who consistently encourages and motivates his teammates. His coaches and peers alike respect him for his discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship.”
Sir said being awarded the scholarship is a step closer to him achieving his and his mother’s dreams.
For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org.
