Essex & Union Counties, NJ Youth Advocate Programs™, Inc. (YAP®), Anti-Violence Program Assistant Director, Charlene Messer says her team epitomizes the African proverb, “It takes a village.”
The anti-violence program serves young people ages 12-18 who are at the greatest risk of violence engagement. This includes young people who have a history of school suspensions, truancies, illegal or violent behavior and/or dealing mental health or substance use issues. Some but not all of the program participants are systems involved.
Messer said she is deeply committed to improving the wellness of her community through youth advocacy, violence prevention, and holistic wraparound support services across Essex and Union Counties in New Jersey.
Messer will share her experiences as a panelist at the 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia on Nov. 6. A national nonprofit, YAP® delivers community-based youth and family wraparound services as an alternative to incarcerating or placing young people in crisis or trouble or who face other complex challenges in correctional or residential care facilities. In the past decade, the national nonprofit has used principles of its evidence-based model to help cities reduce neighborhood violence. The New Jersey program combines the YAPWrap® model with cognitive behavioral therapy. Helping program participants see and nurture their strengths, YAP® staff also connect young people to area paid “Supported Work” jobs that align with their interests.
Messer is a passionate advocate for youth who is also a dedicated food activist. During her extracurricular time, She is on a mission to raise awareness about sustainable food systems and healthy living which gave her inspiration from her late grandmother, Ardith Ransom who garnered legal custody of Messer and her sister after the loss of her mother.
Messer is a fellow of the Cloud Institute for Sustainable Education, and actively collaborates with numerous community partners including Newark Science and Sustainability, Urban Agriculture Cooperative, Al-Munir Farms, La Casa De Don Pedro, and the Rutgers Newark-Price Institute. Her work bridges the gap between food justice and youth empowerment. She is also a fellow of the Governing Institute of New Jersey,a Community Foundation Leadership Initiative fellow,and a proud Kean University alumna, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration.
She lives in Newark with her daughter, whose inspiration fuels Messer’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Learn more about YAP® and its 50th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.
