The Neighborhood Advocate

Saginaw, Michigan – At 16, he said he finally understands that it pays to listen to his parents. It’s a lesson that came when months in juvenile detention and group homes failed to change his...

Charlotte, N.C. –  A regular presence in the Beatties Ford Road Corridor is what helps bring trust to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Alternatives to Violence team. On Saturday, Oct. 30, the ATV team spent the afternoon grilling...

North Texas -- These days, when 16-year-old Terry faces a challenge, he breathes deeply and forces himself to think of something that makes him happy. The exercise is part of an emotional toolkit he...

David Southall has served in YAP’s behavioral health programming for nearly 2 years  Roanoke, Va. – Topping the most rewarding experiences of David Southall’s career thus far at Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., were the past eight months when he empowered a program participant battling depression and suicidal thoughts with tools to turn his life around. “Right now he is not suicidal. We’re...

Baltimore – Almost 10 years ago Joel Miller was fresh out of prison, living in his car, showering at the gym, jobless and needed money, when an old friend approached him with a tempting...

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month  Lackawanna County, PA -- When 17-year-old Nevaeh began seeing the fruits of her labor in a pre-employment program in Scranton, PA, she took the opportunity to the next level. Nevaeh was part of a four-person Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Pennsylvania Office of Vocational...

Chicago, IL -- Whether he’s in the barbershop or at a Chicago event, Lee Jones is sharing stories about his job. He’s among those on the frontlines of a movement to transform lives and...

Bagdad, Ariz. -- If someone had told 18-year-old Emarie this time last year that she would be where she is now, she would have highly doubted it.   Emarie will soon head from Bagdad, Arizona to Mesa, where armed with work experience and a great reference from her...

Most young people who’ve received services from Chicago Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. will tell you they have much love and respect for Monique Robbins. YAP is a national nonprofit in 31 states and...

Baltimore – Tumani never thought he would make it to see his 21st birthday. Last year, at age 20, he was almost proved right when he was shot in the head. The shooting (an assailant...

Dauphin County, PA -- Earlier this year, Dauphin County Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Clinical Supervisor Matthew Powery got a call from the mother of the first child he worked with when he started at the nonprofit back...

She knows what it’s like to think outside of the box to get families moving in the right direction Bethlehem, Pa. - When YAP Northampton/Lehigh Counties Family Support Specialist Cheryl Hopkins learned about Zeneida Torres...

Seminole County, Fla. -- Vita looks at her math and science assignment grades and can hardly believe what she sees – 80s and 90s in math and 100% in science! The Seminole County, Florida...

Philadelphia – At age 14, he threatened a teacher; but instead of lockup, Alonzo got a personal Advocate. Four years after completing his program at Philadelphia Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., Alonzo was one of...

This weekend, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.'s new Alternatives to Violence (ATV) team will be among those at the Charlotte, Mecklenburg County QC Fest. ATV, a Cure Violence Global model violence interruption program, will apply...