Detention and Group Homes Didn’t Work; Then the State of Michigan Gave Him an...

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’s ATV Team Hosted Community Day Along Beatties Ford Road Corridor

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...

When Life Gets Tough, 16-Year-Old Terry Turns to His Behavioral Health Toolkit

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...

He Empowers Youth with Tools to Turn Their Lives Around, One Session at a...

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...

Locked Up, then Homeless; Now He’s at the American Express Emerging Social Justice Leadership...

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...

They Showed their Town the Beauty of Giving Everyone a Chance to Work

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...

Lee Jones’ Work Transforms Lives and Public Systems; If You Have a Heart for It, He’s Recruiting 

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...

Emarie’s Tough Girl Rep Seemed Unshakable – Then She Got an Advocate and Changed her Autobiography 

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...

Monique Cares. She and Her Team are Making a Difference with Chicago Youth

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...

He Did Time in Youth Prison, then got Shot in the Head; But with...

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...

You Might be Searching for Meaningful Work, but Matthew Powery Has Already Found it 

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...

After 25 years at YAP, Helping Families is Still Cheryl Hopkins’ Passion

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...

Bullies Set Her Back, But Now this 14-year-old is Thriving

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...

Instead of Lockup, Alonzo Got an Advocate and Turned His Life Around

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...

New Alternatives to Violence Team Excited to Serve Charlotte’s Beatties Ford Road Corridor

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...