In 1975, as an Edinboro University senior, William Wachob got an opportunity that would lay the foundation for his life’s work. He applied for, was offered, and accepted an internship with Jerry Miller, a pioneer in youth justice reform. Miller headed the Pennsylvania Office of Children and Youth, which after a court order ending the placement of children at the Camp Hill Adult prison, was charged with relocating more than 200 incarcerated youths.

“I would go to the facility, bring them out and take them where they had to go,” Wachob recalled. He would drive the formerly incarcerated young people to group homes, forestry camps, and to Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. (Youth Advocate Program or PYAP at the time), a downtown barbershop storefront-based nonprofit started by Tom Jeffers.

Wachob will share his memories of YAP®’s early years at the agency’s Nov. 8 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Food Truck Brunch in Harrisburg, Pa. A YAP® board member since 2017, Wachob was one of the agency’s first employees.

YAP® is now a national nonprofit that partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, education, and public safety systems across the U.S. The agency is the nation’s premier community-based alternative to placing young people in trouble, in crisis, or who face other complex challenges in residential care or corrections facilities. YAP® also partners with cities to apply principles of its wraparound services model to support young people and adults of all ages to reduce neighborhood violence.

When Wachob completed his senior year at Edinboro, he joined Jeffers at YAP® as Director of Administration and Finance and helped expand services across Pennsylvania. Jeffers became a mentor to Wachob, inspiring him to go into public office. At age 25, Wachob was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature where he served three terms focusing on justice, welfare, and senior citizen issues. Today, he lives in California, where he directs the west coast office of The Campaign Group, Inc., a national media/political consulting firm with offices in Philadelphia and San Diego.

Learn more about the Harrisburg YAP® Making Change Happen Food Truck Brunch and the agency’s other 50th anniversary events at www.YAPInc.org.

Elise Person will host three of Youth Advocate Programs™, Inc. (YAP®)’s 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen events this November. She will host the Nov. 6 Awards Gala in Philadelphia and two events in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 8, the YAP® Making Change Happen 5K Walk/Run and the national nonprofit’s Food Truck Brunch event later that morning.

Elise is a former news reporter whose career took an unexpected but meaningful turn into child advocacy. Originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, she began her journalism career in Columbia, Missouri before moving to Harrisburg, where she found her passion for amplifying the voices of children and families. Through her reporting, she worked closely with nonprofits and advocacy groups across Pennsylvania, shining a spotlight on child welfare, youth justice reform, and legislative change to better protect children.

YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers community-based services as a safer, more effective and less costly alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis or who face complex challenges in corrections or residential care facilities.

Elise said among the organizations she collaborated with, YAP® stood out as a favorite. She covered stories highlighting the nonprofit’s mission to keep children out of detention centers, provide alternatives to institutional placements, and partner with public safety systems to help reduce neighborhood violence. She credits YAP® as being instrumental in making her work possible.

Elise’s dedication to advocacy is also deeply personal. The oldest of five siblings, she lost her mother to cancer at just eight years old. Her mother, a speech pathologist with aspirations of attending law school, devoted her life to helping children—a passion Elise proudly carries forward.

Today, she is honored to continue her advocacy and supporting YAP®’s vision of building safer, stronger communities for young people and families.

Learn more about YAP® and the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.

Nathan Weil will share his insights at the 50^th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit as a Justice Reform: Beyond Punishment: Rethinking Justice panelist. The Nov. 6 Summit and evening YAP® Making Change Happen Awards Gala are being held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, 201 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA

Nathan is a Director of Criminal Justice Research at Arnold Ventures. His work brings together practitioners with causal researchers to build evidence that better equips public sector leaders with the tools to tackle trenchant problems and improve outcomes for those most impacted by violence and injustice.

Before joining Arnold Ventures, Nathan worked at the University of Chicago Crime Lab, where he contributed to projects touching on a wide range of topics in criminal justice from policing and community safety to reintegration and workforce development.

Nathan holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a bachelor’s in economics from Middlebury College. He grew up in Switzerland and has a lifelong love of hiking, biking, cheese, and croissants.

Gloucester County, N.J. – Budgeting, banking, renting an apartment, how to do laundry and grocery shop are some of the skills Gregory learned while in Youth Advocate Programs™, Inc. (YAP®) Gloucester County.

 “I met with my YAP® worker Sarah Gross on a weekly basis for life skills sessions,” Gregory said. “Sarah has also taught me how to advocate for myself, make friends in and out of school, and prepare for my driving test.”

YAP® is a national nonprofit in 32 states and Washington, D.C., providing services that reduce the nation’s overreliance on youth incarceration, residential care, group homes and other out-of-home placements. Celebrating its 50th year in 2025, YAP® partners with public systems to provide community-based wraparound and behavioral health services as an alternative to residential care and incarceration.

Gregory received services from YAP® Gloucester County Youth Justice staff who work with 8-17-year-olds who have been referred to the program through the courts, self-referrals, law enforcement or other entities. The program pairs youth with a YAP® Advocate, from or close to their neighborhood, who serves as a champion for them and their families and connects them to individualized economic, emotional or education services in addition to overall life skills. The Advocates and program participants spend up to three hours a week together.

Gregory graduated from high school in June and was accepted to Stockton University with hopes of becoming a gastroenterologist. He was recently awarded a laptop through the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Scholarship for Continuing Education. Eligible current and former YAP® program participants, along with their parents/guardians, can apply for the scholarship annually for $1,500 in tuition and fees assistance or a laptop computer. The Endowment Fund is supported mostly through YAP® employee payroll deductions.  

Gross, YAP® Gloucester County Life Skills Coordinator, said Gregory had to cope with obstacles that were no fault of his own and were beyond his control, adding that “one of his greatest strengths is that he never gives ups and asks for help when needed.” Earlier this year, Gregory accompanied Gross to YAP’s Board of Directors meetings in Atlantic City, N.J., where she was recognized for her work by YAP® leaders.

“During each session, Gregory asked thoughtful questions, provided insightful feedback, and practiced self-reflection,” said Gross who has worked for YAP® for 28 years. “From the first time I met Gregory, he had a clear vision that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine, specializing in gastrointestinal care. Not only is Gregory an excellent student and quick learner, but he is also kind, thoughtful and genuinely cares for others. He has a strong desire to help and support and lift up others as they pursue their own dreams.”

Gregory is thankful to receive a new laptop and is excited to begin his post-secondary education.

“I am extremely grateful to say that YAP® has always been there for me when I needed it, be it through tough times or just seeking guidance related to college, the future, or even just personal endeavors,” Gregory said.

Added YAP® Endowment Board President and Chief Impact Officer Patty Rosati, “We are all so very proud of you. Best of luck in your studies.”

More information on the Endowment Fund can be found here. For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.

Youth Advocate Programs™ (YAP®) Michigan Program Director Shannon Collin said from a young age, she has felt a deep calling to help others.

“This passion has guided every step of my professional journey, beginning with my education at Central Michigan University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in social work and a minor in psychology,” she said. “During my undergraduate studies, I completed an internship with the Maternal and Infant Support Services program at the Central Michigan District Health Department. This experience gave me the invaluable opportunity to work closely with expectant and new mothers, their infants, and families—an early confirmation of my desire to serve and support vulnerable populations.”

Collin will share her experiences as Program Director for YAP® Michigan as a panelist at the 50^th  Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit. YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers community-based services as an alternative to incarcerating or placing young people in trouble or crisis or who face other complex challenges in residential or corrections facilities. In the past decade, communities have also partnered with the nonprofit to apply principles of its evidence-based model to their approaches to reduce neighborhood violence.

“In 2021, I joined the Michigan YAP® team and was excited to be part of a small but passionate group of six staff members. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of watching our program grow exponentially. Our team has grown to over twenty dedicated staff members. We’ve expanded from serving up to 20 participants under one grant across seven counties to supporting up to 61 participants across the entire Lower Peninsula and two-thirds of the Upper Peninsula through six different grants,” Collin said. “Being part of this growth has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to work alongside a team that is nonjudgmental, strength-based, and fully dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and encouraging every youth and family we serve.”

Collin’s first professional role following graduation was at the Isabella County Nonsecure Detention Home.

“This position taught me one of the most important lessons of my career: that every young person has a unique story and, with respect and the right support, has the capacity for growth and positive change,” she said. “I later transitioned to the Isabella County Day Treatment Program, where I continued to work with youth in a more treatment-focused setting, helping them navigate challenges while building trust and resilience.”

After three years working with youth, Collin joined Eight CAP, Inc., serving as Family Support Coordinator in Head Start, Community Services Specialist in Community Services, and Housing Resource Specialist Supervisor in the Housing Department.

“Throughout these roles, I gained invaluable insight into the realities of both generational and situational poverty and worked to empower individuals and families to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life,” she said. “My passion for this work is fueled by the belief that with the right guidance and support, every individual has the ability to grow and thrive.”

Learn more about YAP®’s 50^th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.

Ogemaw County, Michigan — Now 15, Michael thinks about where he was two years ago and sees a totally different kid.

“Back then, I was a screw up, couldn’t do anything right, always getting in trouble,” he said, adding that he was angry and distrustful.

This summer, Michael enjoyed time with his parents and younger siblings. He also started a yard business with two customers, one of whom is an elderly widow, a cancer survivor who Michael works for free of charge.

Michael’s parents, Don and Sara, say as an adolescent, Michael was in and out of court and youth justice facilities. Michael said his behavior was triggered by abuse from a relative and later a close friend. With four young children in a rural Michigan community, Don and Sara’s struggles to help Michael put a strain on the entire family.

“We did everything,” Sara said. “We’ve been through three or four parenting classes, counseling for kids dealing with trauma; community mental health services; and we studied everything we could.”

Sara recalls at least one probation officer and a few family members suggesting it might be best to send Michael away, perhaps to a group home.

“Donny and I — that wasn’t our choice; we fought to keep him home; there were many nights that we cried,” she said. “He [Michael] was hurting; his heart was breaking.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services connected the family to Youth Advocate Programs ™, Inc. (YAP®). Celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2025, the national nonprofit partners with county and state youth justice, child welfare and other systems to deliver community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration and residential care.

“Michael’s YAP® Advocate was a really big help,” said Don. “She made a real difference.”

Now in 32 states and Washington, D.C., YAP® hires mostly neighborhood-based Advocates who are trained to empower program participants to see and nurture their strengths.

“I learned that I’m good at drawing and that I’m a good communicator,” Michael said, adding that his Advocate would listen to him during trips to the park where she would give him colored pencils and markers and encourage him to draw.

“Another gift is my honesty,” Michael said, recalling a time when a juvenile court judge shared that he appreciated that Michael always told the truth.

During his year as a YAP® participant, Michael said he began to look at himself differently and noticed that others were doing the same.

“I started hearing good news from the YAP® workers and I realized I was not a screw up; I wasn’t a failure; I just needed to try,” he said.

As part of his probation, Michael worked at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which serves people struggling with  homelessness, poverty and addiction.

“It gave me a warm feeling to help someone in need. It makes me feel good,” he said.

YAP®’s strength-based approach is guided by principles of its decades-old, evidence-based YAPWrap® youth and family services model. The nonprofit’s Advocates, behavioral health professionals and/or other staff connect program participants as well as their parents, guardians and other loved ones with individualized economic, educational and/or emotional tools to firm their family foundation.

“Different staff worked with the family over the year,” said YAP® Program Director Shannon Collin, who also visited with and participated in activities with the family.

With help from the YAP® team, things began to settle down at home where Michael said his younger siblings had become accustomed to his outbursts and unpredictable behavior.

“They don’t look at me as a threat anymore,” he said. “My six-year-old brother, he wants to do everything with me. He always sticks by my side. He looks up to me.”

Michael said he has also improved academically, adding that when he was introduced to YAP®, he was enrolled in an alternative school.

“After discharge Michael was able to enroll in a traditional school and passed ninth grade this past year,” Collin said.

Don and Sara said Michael also took a community college welding course and that he’s making plans for his future.

“He has a girlfriend now and he’s come up to being a very respectful young man,” Sara said,

“My dream is to become a mobile diesel mechanic,” Michael added.

Michael and his parents will serve as panelists for the nonprofit’s 50^th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit on Nov. 6, 2025,in Philadelphia, Pa.

Learn more and register for the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary events at https://www.yapinc.org/50th.

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 50^th 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 50^th 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 50^th Anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.

Ellana Watson is the youngest person appointed to serve on Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®) Inc.’s Board of Directors. Now a student with plans to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she says she could have never imagined her life today when she was 16 and first learned about YAP®.

“I could not have imagined the opportunities that would follow. YAP® introduced me to a world I might never have known existed,” she said.

YAP® is a national nonprofit celebrating five decades partnering with public systems to deliver community-based individual and family Advocate and behavioral health services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis or who face other complex challenges in residential care or corrections facilities.

In 2011, after a fight in school, Watson, who was already in Philadelphia’s child welfare system, also entered the city’s youth justice system. As an alternative to youth incarceration, she received services from YAP®.

“What started as a mandatory requirement from a judge has grown into the honor of serving as a board member. That journey—from being introduced to the program to now helping lead it—represents how deeply it has transformed me into a stronger, more confident, and more purpose-driven individual,” she added.

Watson will serve as a panelist at the national nonprofit’s 50th anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia on Nov. 6. She will also be a featured speaker at the Nov. 8 YAP^® Making Change Happen 5k, Walk and Food Truck Brunch at the nonprofit’s national headquarters in Harrisburg, PA.

After completing services with YAP®, Watson stayed in contact with the organization and volunteered at events. This led to her becoming involved in the nonprofit’s international work. She represented YAP® in Brazil and Argentina as a street soccer player and served as a youth ambassador and mentor at international street tournaments. Watson later hosted a Swedish delegation visiting the YAP® program in Philadelphia and assisted an Argentinian team in presenting a street soccer workshop as part of the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary celebration.

“I had the privilege of traveling to various countries, meeting people from diverse nationalities, and engaging with different cultures. These experiences broadened my horizons and gave me a deeper understanding of the power of representation,” Watson said. “Being able to stand proudly in front of international audiences and share my perspective showed me that my story and my voice matter. I learned that leadership is not about where you come from, but about the courage to represent yourself and your community on any stage.”

Watson also received financial support to pursue her education through a YAP® Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Scholarship for Continuing Education, which enabled her to complete her studies at Philadelphia Community College and go on to work as a mental health technician at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. She’s now enrolled in Thomas Jefferson University’s dual BS in Behavioral Health Services and MS in Community Trauma degree program. A few weeks ago, Watson received a second YAP® Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Scholarship, as current and former program participants may apply for the $1,500 tuition support or laptop computer annually.

“What I value most is how YAP® instilled in me a commitment to serve others. Advocacy is not simply about achieving personal success; it is about creating opportunities for others to be heard and represented,” Watson said. “The people I’ve met have taught me the importance of lifting others up, amplifying voices that often go unheard, and being part of a collective effort to create positive change.”

In her free time, plays offensive guard for the Philadelphia Phantomz, part of the Women’s National Football Conference, a semi-pro full contact tackle league. She wants young girls to know that football is not just for boys and that girls can play as well, even at pro level.

“I credit much of who I am today—driven, passionate, and dedicated to service—to the foundation this program provided. It gave me the tools to lead, the confidence to take on challenges, and the courage to seek opportunities that once felt out of reach,” Watson said. “It inspired me to continue making an impact in my community and beyond. YAP®did more than provide opportunities—it transformed me. It opened doors, expanded my worldview, and instilled in me the belief that my voice matters.”

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. has selected Clorissa Morgan to be a panel moderator for its Nov. 6 50^th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit. Morgan, Senior Development Associate at YAP®, will moderate the summit’s 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Economic Opportunities: Breaking Barriers: Pathways to Economic Inclusion panel discussion.

YAP® is a national nonprofit that partners with government systems to deliver community-based services as a safer, more effective, and less costly alternative to youth incarceration and residential care. Guiding principles of YAP®’s model of hiring neighborhood-based Advocates and behavioral health professionals to deliver wraparound services to young people and their families are also helping cities reduce violence. YAP® staff connect program participants and their parents, guardians, and/or other loved ones to individualized economic, educational and emotional needs tools that put them on a positive path and firm their foundation.

Morgan, who joined YAP® in 2022, supports fundraising through grant writing and the design of fact sheets, reports, and other marketing materials.

She holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Alabama, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of Due South Magazine. Outside of the university, she freelanced in independent journalism with The Bama Buzz. She was one of three students from South Alabama selected to attend the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights, where she studied with experts in humanitarianism, armed conflict, and international law. In 2019, she represented the university as a delegate to the Nobel Peace Summit of Laureates Youth Program in Mexico, attending lectures led by Nobel Peace Laureates and contributing to the Youth Declaration for Peace.

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. has selected LaVeisha M. Cummings, DCC, as a panel moderator for its Nov. 6 50^th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit. Dr. Cummings, Vice President for the Southeast at YAP®, will moderate the summit’s 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Child Welfare: “Innovations in Child and Family Wellbeing Practices and Policies” panel discussion.

YAP® is a national nonprofit that partners with government systems to deliver community-based services as a safer, more effective, and less costly alternative to youth incarceration and residential care. Guiding principles of YAP®’s model of hiring neighborhood-based Advocates and behavioral health professionals to deliver wraparound services to young people and their families are also helping cities reduce violence.

With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Cummings is dedicated to empowering families facing society’s most complex challenges by connecting them with vital educational, economic, and developmental opportunities within their communities. Dr. Cummings is deeply committed to cultivating high-performance cultures and leading initiatives that promote sustainable success. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to continuous improvement.

Recognized as a dynamic motivational speaker, Dr. Cummings has delivered commencement and keynote addresses at Job Corps Centers and various ministries across the United States. She is a licensed evangelist, published author, and playwright who holds a Bachelor of Speech and Theatre degree from Albany State University, a Master of Education with a focus on counseling and psychology from Troy University and a doctorate in Christian counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and their three children.

Allegheny County, Pa. – In the six months that Rafael has been with Youth Advocate Programs’ (YAP®), Inc., Workforce Development Program he has made progress in overcoming his anxiety associated with being in tall buildings, structures with high ceilings, and sitting outdoors.

“Rafael has learned to trust more. He has a fear of being outside in the open sky,” said YAP® Employment Specialist Patrick Brown. “He would feel like the universe might expand and he might get sucked into outer space. Every time we met he would break a new boundary.”

Celebrating 50 years in 2025, YAP® is a national nonprofit that partners with public systems in 32 states and Washington, D.C. to provide community-based and behavioral health services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis in corrections and residential care facilities. Young people are paired with a neighborhood-based Advocate who champions for them and their families by connecting them with educational, economic and emotional tools in order to succeed.

YAP® Pennsylvania’s Workforce Development Program is a partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School, servicing youth ages 14-21 with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The program provides pre-employment skills to students enrolled in a virtual learning environment. Also known as YAPWORX®, the organization’s workforce development program is designed for young people who face employment barriers where students earn a paycheck as they acquire job training skills.

In Rafael’s case, the program partnered with his school, Agora Cyber Charter School, a Pennsylvania based, tuition-free online public school serving students from kindergarten through 12 grade. Roughly 35% of Agora’s students have individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and the school’s synchronous, personalized approach helps students of all abilities reach their goals.

Whitney Bargerstock, Agora’s Transition Coordinator, said partnerships like this make a measurable impact on students’ futures. “We’re proud of the success we have with students like Rafael, and working with YAP® offers an incredible opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in school to real-world experiences that build confidence, independence, and employability,” Bargerstock said.

Nineteen-year-old Rafael was connected to YAP® and Brown earlier this year and has since graduated from Agora Cyber Charter. In their initial meeting, Brown said Rafael was nervous to sit outside and talk due to his phobia. He is currently a food service delivery driver and is looking for other employment.

“He was very shy and timid at first,” Brown said, adding, “I asked him if he wanted to go inside to talk and I let him know that we weren’t going to do anything too quickly that would make him uncomfortable.”

Over time, Brown would earn Rafael’s trust and spent two days a week with him for 10 hours, helping him with his schoolwork, independence, and overcoming his fears. They’ve visited museums, a furniture store with high vaulting, parks and other places together.

“Patrick has helped me get out more,” Rafael said. “He is very friendly. I trust him very much. I’m not saying my fear of certain things is totally gone, but there have been steps forward.”

Rafael’s last day in the program was July 30. He plans to attend community college in the fall to major in business.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Brown who has worked for YAP® since 2024. “Rafael has made so much progress. We will definitely stay in touch with one another.”

Rafael agrees.

“Patrick is someone I can relate to,” he added. “He gives me an instant calming energy.”

Brown enjoys helping young people like Rafael.

“I really want to make a difference in the lives of youth and help kids who may come from negative environments or are having trouble in their personal lives, truancy or court involved situations,” Brown added. “I want to fight for them, help them graduate high school; and assist them to get out of the court system, or foster homes.”

For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.

Meeting Gabriela Altman is like encountering a force of nature. A Canadian of Slovak origin, Gabriela first arrived in Guatemala in 2009, driven by a traveler’s curiosity, the desire to learn the language, and a heart open to cultural exchange. But what began as a visit soon became a calling. As she saw firsthand the reality faced by vulnerable children and youth, she recognized something deeply personal in their eyes: her own childhood,
marked by cold, poverty, violence, and silence.

And that was the moment that everything changed.

Gabriela didn’t look away. She chose to stay, to build, to transform. That’s how Siembra
Bien began to take shape—an organization that is much more than a social project: it is a
living expression of love, dignity, and the fight for equality.

Gabriela will serve as a panelist at the Nov. 6 50th anniversary Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®) Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia. YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers community-based youth and family services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble, in crisis, or who face other complex challenges in corrections or residential care facilities.

In 2012, she met Rolando Urrutia, a long time close friend of YAP®, a steadfast ally and
renown Guatemalan photographer, with whom she shared the dream of doing something
greater than oneself. In 2014, thanks to YAP’s invaluable support, they planted the first
seed of what has now blossomed in thousands of hearts.

Since then, Gabriela has led Siembra Bien as Executive Director, guided by a clear mission:
to accompany, educate, and empower children, adolescents, and families through programs
that integrate art, sports, education, and recreation. Her deeply human and spiritual
approach has directly impacted more than 25,000 people in the last ten years in
Guatemala—and the impact continues to grow.

But beyond the numbers, what truly defines Gabriela is her unwavering belief that change
is possible. Her commitment to the future remains strong: to expand youth empowerment
programs, strengthen social mediation, and open doors to transformative education for
Guatemala’s young people.

“Thank you, YAP®, for believing in me when I was just a woman with a dream and a strong
desire to serve. Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for sowing hope
alongside us,” Gabriella said.

“Thank you to myself, for reminding me that pain can be transformed into love, and that one
person, when acting with passion and purpose, can change the destiny of thousands.
Siembra Bien… because where there is fertile ground, there is always hope,” she added. “Happy anniversary. May we continue sowing life for many more years to come.”

Learn more about YAP® and the national nonprofit’s 50th anniversary at yapinc.org/50th.

Ajara Marie Bomah is a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in business development, media communications, and diaspora engagement. She is the founder of Women Mean Business (WMB), a consulting firm that bridges cultural and operational gaps for international businesses exploring African and Diasporan markets. Under her leadership, WMB has built a reputation for its holistic approach—combining deep local knowledge with global best practices to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. The firm actively facilitates strategic partnerships, manages implementation processes, and crafts communications that resonate with local audiences. With strong relationships across government, private sector, and community stakeholders, WMB has become a trusted partner for impactful market entry and development initiatives in the region.

Ajara will share her insights and experiences on Nov. 6 in Philadelphia, PA as a 50th anniversary Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP®) Making Change Happen Summit panelist. YAP® is a U.S.-based national nonprofit that delivers community-based services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble, in crisis, or who face other complex challenges in corrections or residential placement facilities. YAP®’s international partners include Sierra Leone Youth Advocate Program (SLYAP).

A humanitarian at heart, Ajara holds a master’s degree in clinical social work and has dedicated her life to transforming the lives of young people—especially girls—across Africa. Upon returning to Sierra Leone, she committed herself to national rebuilding by nurturing local talent, mentoring youth, and empowering women and girls. She currently serves as the volunteer Executive Director of SLYAP, where she applies her clinical background to support youth through advocacy, mental health awareness, and life skills development. The initiative promotes civic participation and leadership among young Sierra Leoneans.

Ajara’s work spans collaboration with governments, NGOs, and international organizations—driven by a shared commitment to inclusive development rooted in equity, opportunity, and well-being. She is recognized for her visionary leadership and continues to inspire the next generation by creating platforms for innovation and sustainable growth. She has served in influential roles with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Power Women 232—a network focused on women’s empowerment and community impact—and the African Women Leadership Academy.

Ajara is a 2024 Vital Voices Visionary Fellow, President of the Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter, and was named one of the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leoneans. Her work has been instrumental in advancing youth leadership, gender advocacy, and digital innovation across Africa and the U.S.

An advocate for digital inclusion, Ajara leverages technology to tackle societal challenges and create economic opportunities for women and youth. Through her leadership at the Internet Society, she champions digital access and capacity building in Sierra Leone. She also engages in public speaking, business coaching, and development training connecting emerging African entrepreneurs to new markets and sharing her expertise with audiences across U.S. college campuses.

Ajara has been featured in numerous local and international media outlets and co-starred in the award-winning documentary “Am I Too African to Be American or Too American to Be African?” She believes in embodying the change she wants to see and plays an active role in shaping Sierra Leone’s development through service and mentorship.

She currently serves on the boards of She Can, We Can SL, the Afromeric School of Cosmetology, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, and the Sierra Leone Electricity and Distribution Agency. She also serves as the Executive Coordinator for the British Chamber of Commerce Sierra Leone.

A passionate changemaker, Ajara has played a key role in launching several high-impact initiatives including the Women on Boards Network SL, Big Sister SL Empowerment Show, She Who Builds, and the Women Mean Business Honors.

In her personal time, Ajara enjoys traveling and cherishing meaningful moments with her vibrant daughter, family, and close friends.

Learn more about YAP and its 50th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. is proud to grant its 500^th Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education scholarship to a former Pennsylvania program participant who is pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

Former YAP® Crawford County, Pa. program participant David received his fifth scholarship through the Endowment Fund to continue his third year of college where he is studying psychology.

“My ultimate dream would be to become a therapist for kids with autism,” David wrote in his scholarship application essay to the Endowment Board. “I hope in my career to educate people without autism on what it means to have autism to dispel all of the misnomers people have.”

YAP® is a national nonprofit celebrating five decades of empowering young people and families facing complex challenges with tools to thrive. The organization partners with public systems in 32 states and Washington, D.C. to deliver community-based individual and family “wraparound” and behavioral health services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis or who have intellectual/developmental disabilities in residential care or corrections facilities.

“We are ecstatic to be able to provide the 500th award to a deserving youth and it’s all happening during YAP’s 50th anniversary year in 2025,” said YAP® Endowment Board President and Chief Impact Officer Patty Rosati. “This is a huge landmark for the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education, and I am pleased that we are able to continue to honor YAP’s founder Tom Jeffers through this initiative.”

Supported mainly by YAP® employee donations; the unique Endowment Fund also received generous donations from YAP® Board of Directors and other contributors. The scholarship fund covers the costs of college tuition, job training, continuing education and fees or, for some recipients, a laptop computer. Eligible current and former program participants and their parents/guardians may apply for and receive the scholarship annually. In July, the YAP Endowment Board increased the annual scholarship dollar amount limit from $1,200 to $1,500.

The Endowment Fund started in 2004 and awarded its first scholarship in fiscal year 2008. Rosati said the first recipient of the Endowment Fund was a young man from Tarrant County, Texas who attended the fire academy in the requested amount of $450. 

“It’s amazing to see and read all of the current and former YAP program participants and their families’ stories of how they plan to use the scholarship to pursue their education and passions,” Rosati added. “We’re looking forward to helping the next 500 recipients.”

To donate to the Endowment fund, click here. For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.