Submitted By Kimberly Brandon
Harris County, Texas —Three students from Youth Advocate Programs’(YAP®), Inc. Harris County, Texas Evening Reporting Center graduated with General Education Development (GED) certificates from the county’s Opportunity Center — a milestone achievement marking a transformative step toward brighter futures.
Now in its 50th year, YAP® is a national nonprofit is in 33 states and Washington, D.C. that works with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, and other local and regional governments to provide community-based services as an alternative to placing young people outside of their homes in residential care or corrections facilities. Working with cities across the U.S., YAP® also uses its neighborhood-based Advocate and Behavioral Health youth and family services model to support public safety efforts.
The Harris County Opportunity Center, which offers vocational rehabilitation classes and learning labs for justice-involved youth, hosted the special ceremony in December to honor program graduates and to highlight their resilience and determination.
“We are incredibly proud of these students and all they’ve accomplished,” said YAP® Assistant Director Nateyah McLeod, who attended the celebration. “Their success is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and community support. I am committed to helping each student achieve anything they set their minds to because these students are our future, and they need the support of their community.”
In addition to earning a GED, John, Elisha, and another program participant worked with McLeod and her YAP® team to complete a 10-week, evidence-based Peaceful Alternatives to Tough Situations (PATTS) curriculum, developed to help youth deal with conflict resolution in a nonviolent way. The graduates also plan to apply for scholarships through YAP®’s Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education, which provides $1,200 for college or trade school tuition and fees or a laptop computer to eligible program participants and their parents or guardians.
John and Elisha have committed to furthering their education by enrolling in welding school, where they will gain specialized skills for a promising career in the high-demand field. McLeod said John was honored with the prestigious High Achievement Award for his outstanding commitment and exceptional progress, setting a remarkable example for his peers. Meanwhile, Elisha successfully completed his internship with the Opportunity Center.
“YAP® remains dedicated to providing youth and their families with the tools and opportunities they need to build sustainable futures,” said YAP® Regional Vice President Kimberly Brandon. “Through education, career training, and neighborhood-based program participant and family Advocate support, YAP® is making a lasting impact on young people across the region.”
Under the innovative leadership of Executive Director and Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Henry Gonzales, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department continues to invest in programs like the Opportunity Center and its over two-decade partnership with YAP.
For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.
