Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) Inc.’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) staff for a brunch this month celebrating the success of their participants. (Photos by Keston DeCoteau, Keystone Productions)
YAP is one of two nonprofits serving individuals at the highest risk of being engaged in violence, including people involved in social groups connected to criminal activity, those recently losing a loved one to gun violence, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
The gathering included program participants and their families along with YAP outreach workers and life coaches, many of whom live in the neighborhoods and share life experiences of those they serve.
Successes include participants securing employment, moving from homelessness to stable housing, rekindling family relationships, and achieving other personal milestones linked to reducing community violence.
Joining Mayor Scott was Stefanie Mavronis, Director, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement whose GVRS team – Terence Nash, Dr. Raymond Green-Joyner, Reginald Williams, Bernice Walker, and Joshua Lubin – who also received recognition from the YAP GVRS staff.
YAP GVRS Life Coaches and Outreach Workers honored program participants, highlighting the hard work they have been doing and milestones they have achieved as they make progress to turn their lives around.
Shawn
Despite attending several job fairs and enrolling in a GED program, Shawn almost gave up on his future. He was working in the streets to make ends meet while caring for his children when the YAP GVRS team came into his life. It wasn’t easy, but the encouragement and inspiration kept him hopeful — even in the face of his setbacks, like losing the job that the program helped him get when transportation challenges became too much. Refusing to give up, he secured a position with Clean Corps, and in just four months, earned a well-deserved promotion to Job Lead.
Javontez
Javontez was not at his best when the YAP GVRS team came into his life. Initially, he resisted help. For four months, the outreach team looked high and low for him without success. Ultimately, Javontez found his way back to us and began to take steps to turn his life around. He got a job with the Department of Public Works, where he has now worked for almost a year. Javontez has been on a straight path for a year and is a consistent, devoted father to his daughter.
Malik
When we met Malik, he was living in an abandoned house, struggling with unemployment and had an understandably difficult attitude. Malik faced significant challenges. But what we saw was his amazing determination. With support from the YAP GVRS team, Malik has tapped into his determination and is turning his life around. For nearly a year, Malik has been employed full-time with the Department of Public Works. He recently took another major step toward his future, obtaining an LLC for his own cleaning business, Cody Solutions.
Tyzhaun
Working with the YAP GVRS team, Tyzhaun successfully completed the NCIA Trade School, earning his CDL-B. And with that, he has since achieved significant personal milestones—securing his own home, his own car, and excelling as a dedicated father. And rather than using his commercial license simply to drive for a job, Tyzhaun took it a step further by launching his own commercial driving school.
Bakari
At age 15, Bakari has demonstrated exceptional personal growth and persistence. After having last attended public school in elementary school, Bakari’s journey back to education has been nothing short of inspiring. Working closely with our team, Bakari enrolled in a Baltimore City Public School and is receiving our wraparound services designed to gradually push him beyond his comfort zone. Despite being out of school for years, Bakari has adapted and is thriving. He holds himself accountable for his actions, which speaks volumes about his character and development. He has attended school every single day since his return, showing his commitment to a brighter future.
Dewayne
Dewayne lost many loved ones to gun violence and spent years cycling in and out of prison. Upon his last release, he was unemployed, and nearly homeless, with a history of working in the streets to survive. I’m proud to say he accepted our services and is thriving.
Teonta
Before connecting with the YAP GVRS team, Teonta struggled with inconsistent income due to a job with irregular hours. He also faced challenges with focus and emotional regulation. Through the support of YAP GVRS, Teonta has secured full-time employment and is focused on his strengths and his potential. Teonta is now working toward earning his GED and reinstating his driver’s license and he has developed effective strategies for managing his emotions. When anger or frustration arises, instead of reacting impulsively, he reaches out to his YAP Life Coach to talk through his feelings and make thoughtful decisions. Teonta maintained perfect attendance during his first month on his job and in addition to preparing for his GED, he aims to obtain his CDL and pursue his creative passions in art and mechanics.
Ayanna
At age 20, after experiencing much trauma, including being a gun violence victim, Ayanna worked hard throughout summer school to earn her diploma. She knew it would be the key to pursuing her dream of becoming a CNA/GNA and preparing her for adulthood. With the help of her YAP GVRS Life Coach, Ayanna applied for a CNA/GNA certification program and registered for a driver’s ed class. While she wasn’t accepted into the certification program on her first try, she is preparing to re-apply in January 2025. In the meantime, she passed her driver education class and is set to take her driving test next month.
Her future is bright as she looks forward to completing her CNA/GNA certification and working in the medical field, where she hopes to better care for her mother and family.
Isaiah
Since getting with the YAP GVRS team, Isaiah has shown great commitment to building a successful career and future. With a high school diploma, a CDL-A, and two years of specialized training from ABC Trade Academy, Isaiah has embraced every opportunity for growth. With the support of the YAP GVRS team, he secured a position in an Apprenticeship program through ABC Trade Academy and is now working at Fort Meade military base, gaining valuable experience in electrical work. Isaiah’s next goal is to find independent housing as he builds a strong foundation for his future.
Antiwan
Antinwan was 21 a couple of years ago when the YAP GVRS team first reached out to him. By then, he’d been involved with so many programs that did not work out for him, that he had little faith in this new one. He avoided us for a year, and it took a minute for him to set, let alone, achieve goals.
While Antiwan had a temper, I always saw his heart and his determination; and I was persistent; and he finally gave in. In the past four months, this young man has made great progress, successfully passing his driver’s permit exam, completing driving school, securing employment with DPW, and passing the MVA road test to obtain his provisional driver’s license. With determination as his superpower, Antiwan is making strides towards the positivity that he’s creating for his life. Congratulations, Antiwan.
Jaylen
Jaylen has endured a lot of trauma, including being a victim of gun violence. He was extremely discouraged and almost gave up after a dirty urine test resulted in him being released from Job Corps. His YAP GVRS life coach helped him see that the strengths that got him into Job Corps still existed; and that he could reach all his individualized service plan goals on his own. With support from his life coach, Teshombae, Jaylen enrolled in high school and he’s on track to graduate in June 2025. He also recently got his learner’s permit and will enroll in driving school in December. Jaylen is happy, feels safe and says he’s not sure where he’d be without the YAP GVRS team and his life coach.
Learn more about YAP at www.yapinc.org.
