The Neighborhood Advocate

Brenda C. Siler, Contributing Writer  Joy was in the air as the Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. recognized program participants in the national nonprofit's Washington, DC/Maryland region for successfully completing milestones...

See additional photo albums below. (Photos courtesy Keystone Productions) Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent N. Schiraldi and Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary...

Hartford, Conn. – Tired of seeing children of color being misdiagnosed and misunderstood on what triggers certain behaviors is what spearheaded Veronica Maldonado’s life...

Chicago Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. staff members recently celebrated with the first young people to complete Chicago Public Schools (CPS)’ Back to Our...

Charlotte, N.C. – Members of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Alternatives to Violence Beatties Ford Road team recently returned from Buffalo, N.Y. where they...

Monroe, La.  – Sh’Vante Williams will always cherish seeing young people get off drugs, get reenrolled in school and gain employment. They are celebratory...

Note:  Brandon Lamar recently returned from Romania, where he represented Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. as part of the U.S. State Department's Community Engagement...

Charlotte, N.C. – Patrick ‘Jamaal’ Cureton was already mentoring at-risk youth in his community in March 2023 when he joined Mecklenburg County, N.C. Youth Advocate Programs...

Scottsboro, Ala. – It’s been approximately a month since Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. opened YAP House in Jackson County, Ala., creating a haven...

Chicago - Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Chicago Washington Heights Violence Interruption team hosted a Community Back-to-School Stop the Violence Picnic on August 13. “It was a great event...

Harris County, TX – When it was time for Xavier to leave a Harris County, Texas residential care facility, he was better, but needed...

Lexington, KY -- At age 17, Drake knows all too well how one very bad decision can detour a kid’s life. Through Youth Advocate...

Camden, N.J. – YAP New Jersey recently celebrated 45 years of serving young people and families with a day of “It Takes a Village:...

Bedford, Pa. – In honor of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., in Bedford County, Pa. serving the community and erecting a new roadside sign, so...

Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education Will Help Ease the Financial Burden New Jersey – Four former New Jersey Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), participants...