The Neighborhood Advocate

Wayne County, NY -- Three years out of prison and fresh off parole, James Schuler was making money fixing cars in 2012 when someone told him about Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Although at...

Orlando, Florida -- Carmen Ziers looks back to her childhood in Punto Fijo, a small community in Venezuela, and chuckles thinking of how her dreams have become reality. “I always told my friends I wanted...

A group of Tarrant County youths, some home from youth justice facilities and others receiving community-based services as an alternative – spent last week learning about Ecological Health – the health of people, animals,...

Providence, RI -- At age 22, after her recent emancipation from foster care, Sylvia is determined and finally feels equipped to pursue a future based on her strengths. She credits her godmother, Mary Harrison,...

Charleston, S.C. – When William Cameron joined Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. more than 15 years ago, he was looking for a job with sustainable outcomes that addressed all the needs of young people; educationally, emotionally, and economically. “I’ve worked in...

Chicago – Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. introduced its new Washington Heights Violence Interruption Program during a Community Resource and Vendor Fair on April 23. The event unveiled the new program where neighborhood-based YAP...

Shonda vividly remembers when she met Jaylyn.   “Jaylyn was one of four girls my mom was fostering. I would go to the house to help them with their homework. I connected with all of them,...

Lebanon County, PA -- Deanna was working at Lebanon County Department of Human Services (DHS) when she learned that Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. could help her son, Gavin. Diagnosed with autism at age...

Newark, N.J. –  As 15-year-old Samaya shares stories of mixing oils, scents, and pigments, to create her Glossy Babe lip gloss line, her mother Alfreda Williams, feels proud. She’s also quick to share the credit for how far...

Submitted by: Courtney Reimann with Audrey Waterman, and Patti Brown Kevin has come a long way in the past ten years, now living safely at home with Kate, his cat. He thanks his Susquehanna County,...