Rosalind Maldonado is beyond proud of her 22-year-old son Maximus. Delivered prematurely in an emergency C-section alongside his stillborn twin, Maximus weighed just one pound at birth.
“He was not fully formed; no nose, no mouth,” Maldonado said. “Maximus was in the NICU for four months.”
He weighed under five pounds when he finally came home. As a young child, Maximus was diagnosed with autism and Maldonado worked closely with his teachers to create and implement an individualized service plan for him. She said he has come a long way.
“He’s doing great now; he was on the Dean’s list last year at Reading Community College and he already has clear plans for his future,” Maldonado said.
Among the opportunities that Maximus credits for his bright future is one offered through Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. Celebrating its 50th year, YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers community-based services that give communities alternatives to placing young people in trouble or crisis or who face other complex challenges in corrections or residential care facilities. The young people YAP® serves come to the nonprofit through youth justice, child welfare, developmental disabilities, education, and other systems.
Maximus will be among a group of former YAP® participants who share their program experiences as panelists at the 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia on Nov. 6.
YAP empowers program participants by helping them see their strengths and connecting them and their families with individualized tools to meet their economic, educational, and emotional goals.
As part of a partnership with the nonprofit’s Developmental Disabilities program with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), My Work initiative, Maximus landed a summer job in 2023 with Olivet Boys & Girls Clubs. He was paired with YAP® Employment Specialist Lenny Stinson who continued to work with Maximus when the summer job ended.
“Lenny helped me build my confidence,” Maximus said.
Lenny guided Maximus as he worked to become the first Berks County Youth Ambassador through February 2025. This opportunity led to an invitation for Maximus to take part in the Berk County Transition Coordinating Council, a monthly gathering with administrators and teachers and OVR representatives creating special committees to work on topics and events. Maximus also spoke at Wyomissing High, Muhlenberg High and Reading High, sharing his experiences and goals with special education students. He also spoke at Kids Peace, Olivet Boys and Girls, and City Light Ministry. In October of 2024, Maximus and Lenny participated in a Pa. Youth Leadership Network event at State College.
Now in its fourth year, the nonprofit’s OVR program has placed more than 500 YAP® participants with disabilities or who face other employment barriers in paid work experiences across Pennsylvania.
Learn more about YAP® and the nonprofit’s 50th Anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.
