North Brunswick, NJ — Jasmine was 14 when her life began to take a turn for the worse. She recalled that time in her life by stating, “At the time I felt that couldn’t communicate well with my parents,” because of this, her home and school life suffered. “I felt like I wasn’t being heard; I even got expelled from school.” This along with other things led her down the road of addiction and even fights.
At her new school, a guidance counselor told Jasmine’s mother about Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP®)’s New Jersey Community-based Violence Prevention Program. Also known as YAP Pursuing Excellence®, the program combines the nonprofit’s unique evidence-based wraparound services with specialized psychotherapy for adolescents exposed to chronic stress (SPARCS) cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.
“When I first got in, I was scared, surrounded by new people I didn’t know,” Jasmine said. “As time went by, attending SPARCS and participating more, I heard other people talking about similar situations and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m not the only one!’”
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in November 2025, YAP® is a national nonprofit that partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, and public safety systems to provide community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration and other residential care and treatment placements. More recently, communities have turned to YAP® to use its model as a tool to combat neighborhood violence.
Now 17, Jasmine will share her story as a panelist at the nonprofit’s Nov. 6 50th anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia, Pa.
At the center of the 50-year-old YAPWrap® wraparound services model are YAP® staff Advocates who are trained to help program participants see and nurture their strengths and connect them and their parents/guardians with individualized economic, educational, and emotional needs resources. The model can include YAP® Supported Work, where Advocates connect participants to paid work experiences in a field that matches their interests and restorative justice services that focus on accountability and the impact of harm on victims.
Jasmine was paired with YAP® Advocate Renae Cherry.
“I’d be with my Advocate, and she would help me do my missing assignments and I improved in my schoolwork,” Jasmine said. “I could talk to her about anything. She and I became very close; she’s really wise, I appreciated her advice.”
Cherry learned that that among Jasmine’s goals is obtaining a cosmetology license.
“I did my Supported Work at a salon. I worked as an assistant, taking out braids and things like that,” Jasmine said.
“I saw a lot of positivity, a lot of growth. She wants to do a lot of positive things,” Cherry said.
Now a high school senior, Jasmine has better grades, a stronger relationship with her parents, and someone who helps her navigate tough setbacks and challenges.
“I started gaining my trust back. The program helped me have a better view on life. When I would feel down, I would use some of the tools, like a breathing exercise that I learned from SPARCS to help manage my emotions,” she said. “Now I involve myself in positive energy.”
Jasmine is grateful that throughout her struggles, her family has been there for her.
“I want to thank them,” she said, adding, “My sister has helped me a lot. She’s in college and she’s always wanted me to do better. She helped me in the darkest times.”
Learn more about YAP® and the national nonprofit’s 50th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.
