Harrisburg, Pa. – Thanks to the generosity of a national nonprofit’s employees and others, J received money to purchase books for college, Ashley got a new laptop, and Breanna and Jose received tuition assistance.
All four are recipients of the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education, open to current and former program participants or their parents and guardians who have benefitted from services provided by Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. Thanks to donors – most of whom are YAP® employees – beneficiaries are eligible to apply for and receive the nonprofit’s scholarship annually. The award is $1,500 for college or trade school tuition, fees or supplies, or a laptop computer.
“YAP is proud to provide support to program participants and their family members who need help paying for college, technical education, books, or other supplies and a new laptop,” said Patty Rosati, YAP® Endowment Board President and Chief Impact Officer. “This work is extremely meaningful to me, and it is fulfilling to take some of the burden away for young people and adults who are chasing their dreams.”
A national nonprofit, YAP® partners with public systems to provide individual and family wraparound and mental health services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis in residential care/treatment and corrections facilities. YAP® Advocates are trained to provide intensive mentoring that helps youth realize their strengths while connecting them and their parents with economic, emotional and educational resources to firm their foundation and help them succeed.
Recent Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Awardees Include:
Ashley – Parent of a former YAP® Harris County, Texas Behavioral Health program participant
Ashley’s son was enrolled in YAP®’s Harris County, Texas program. Ashley is now enrolled at Houston Christian University.
“Through our involvement with YAP, we have received incredible support, especially from [Advocate] Benjamin Burum, who has been a tremendous help in addressing both school and behavioral challenges,” Ashley wrote in her Endowment essay. “Since beginning the program, I have truly seen a positive change in my son, and I pray that his growth continues. YAP has not only supported my son but has also strengthened our family as a whole.”
With the help of Burum, a YAP® Advocate and Qualified Mental Health Professional, Ashley said her son has made improvements in his behavior. With the help of YAP®’s Endowment Fund, Ashley plans to graduate from college and become a minister.
“Ms. Ashley shared that having a new laptop would significantly support her ability to complete her current online coursework and continue working toward her degree,” Burum wrote in his recommendation letter for Ashley. “Given her commitment to personal growth, her dedication to supporting her son, and her ongoing efforts to improve her family’s future, I believe she would be an excellent candidate to receive assistance through the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund.”
J – Parent of a former YAP® North Arkansas Behavioral Health Program Participant
J is the parent of a program participant who was enrolled in YAP® Arkansas’ Behavioral Health program and is a second time recipient of the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund. She received her first scholarship from the Endowment Fund in May of 2025.
“One year ago, I was working three jobs, starting school, and in the process of a divorce,” J wrote in her Endowment essay. “Today, I am proud to say that since my last essay, the divorce was called off, I have been able to go from working three jobs to only needing to work one, I was saved and baptized, and despite all the negative aspects that have been thrown my way, I have been able to overcome all obstacles and still maintain a 3.9 GPA.”
J is currently enrolled in DeVry University and is on track to graduate in August. Since last year, she has found a better job with an increased salary and her children have been able to take part in extracurricular activities such as cheer and archery.
“I have drive, ambition, and am resilient to anything life throws at me,” J wrote. “Having the Endowment Fund awarded helped take some of the stress off me financially during this time. I am eternally grateful for all of the funding that has been previously provided.”
Breanna – Former YAP® Morris/Sussex County, NJ Behavioral Health Program Participant
Breanna is a former program participant of YAP Sussex County, NJ Behavioral Health program and is in her third semester at Sussex County Community College where she is majoring in Human Services in the hope of becoming a social worker. She was awarded a laptop from the Endowment Fund in 2025 and received tuition in the 2026 funding cycle.
“Youth Advocate Programs has helped me become the person I am today and push for my goals that I did not believe were achievable,” Breanna wrote her Endowment essay. “I am interested in the scholarship money toward my education to help me pay for my education.”
Jose – Former YAP® Clark County, Nev. Youth Justice Program Participant
Once homeless and living in a park, Jose credits YAP® and his Advocate for helping him change his life and mindset.
“My [YAP Advocate] encouraged me to think beyond my immediate circumstances and helped me build the confidence I needed to pursue a career,” Jose wrote in his Endowment essay. “With her support, I transitioned into a shelter and began focusing on my education.”
Today, Jose is a student at Northwest Vista College finishing his prerequisite coursework.
His goal is to enter a nursing program at San Antonio College to earn his associate degree in nursing.
“This scholarship would allow me to continue my education without interruption,” Jose wrote. “I am determined to finish my degree, and this support would be the bridge I need to stay in school and reach my goal of becoming a nurse.”
For more information about the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund, click here or about YAP, visit yapinc.org. To contribute to the Endowment Fund, click here.
