‘Please Don’t Take This Program Away’ — Erica’s Appeal to Lawmakers to Keep NJ...
When 26-year-old Erica heard that proposed cuts by New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) will keep nearly one thousand youth from services that keep them out of placement, she took it personally....
Challenge Opens Opportunity for Young Artist
Kiara, a 15-year-old Lebanon County, PA high school student, begins her sophomore semester with a new appreciation for her passion, gifts and talents. She's a participant in Lebanon County Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.,...
Nearly 1000 New Jersey Youth Face Losing Services that Keep them Safely Home and...
About four years ago, Robin, a then 39-year-old Atlantic County, NJ single mother of nine children, found herself overwhelmed.
“I was in a domestic relationship with a man who sold drugs and brought a lot...
New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund Supports Work that Keeps Families Together
By Jasmine H. More, Youth Advocate Programs Development Coordinator, Private Sector Giving
A $75,000 grant from the New Jersey Pandemic Relief fund is bolstering much needed in-home services for youth and families who even before...
Empowered with Life Skills, Chris Supports Himself and Others through the Pandemic
With the increased risk of COVID-19 infections for individuals in congregate living, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. strengthens its advocacy for community-based youth and family services alternatives. In 29 states and Washington, DC, YAP...
Donated Laptops Help Youths Succeed in Community-Based Alternative to Out-of-Home Placement
Newark, NJ -- Curtis Moore and his colleagues jumped into action in March when COVID-19 put their resilience to the test. Curtis is a program coordinator at Essex/Union County, NJ Youth Advocate Programs (YAP),...
With Support from his Advocate, this 17-Year-Old is Safely Home, Loving Life and Giving...
With conviction and a slight smile, 17-year-old Malachi posed for a press photographer as he held a cardboard handwritten sign during a Denver, Colo. protest and vigil for George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who...
A Childhood Story Helped this Advocate Encourage and Engage Youth Through Tough Times
In a recent teleconference, Sarah Gross focuses on her origami, an ancient Japanese practice of shaping paper into art. On the other end of her video call young people ages 9-17 make their own...
Neighborly Support During Pandemic Brings New Promise to Baltimore’s Safe Streets Efforts
Neighborly outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic is strengthening bonds between some Baltimore City Safe Streets workers and the families they serve.
Safe Streets is an evidence-based public health approach to reducing shootings and homicides in...
She’s in a Wheelchair; He has Autism – Pandemic Opens New Possibilities for Therapeutic...
Melissa Johnson felt she’d finally made it when she earned her bachelor’s in psychology from Frostburg State University in Maryland. But when months turned into years of getting turned down for job after job,...
Mini Parade Lifts Spirits of Homebound families
During a recent videoconference meeting, the Wayne County, NY Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. team resolved to do something big to motivate homebound families strained by COVID-19 restrictions. YAP is a nonprofit with programs...
Meet Jesse A. Cruz, Author, Advocate and Brother’s Keeper
If you’ve ever met a Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Advocate, you’ll understand the key to the organization’s effectiveness as a provider of community-based alternatives to youth incarceration and out-of-home placements. With programs in...
Youth Advocates Strengthen Family Bonds with Social Distancing Photo Challenge
Welcome to a virtual photo exhibit featuring Chemung County, NY Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.’s program participants, families and staff. Partnering with social services, Chemung County YAP works with youth who are at risk...
Shifting Gears – From Face-to-Face to Virtual Community-based Youth Justice/Child Welfare Services
By Jenilee Pollan, Assistant Program Director, Ulster County Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.
A huge focus of our work at Ulster County Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. is coordinating with Ulster County School District to...
They Could have been in Youth Detention or Placement; Instead they’re in their Kitchens, Cooking...
Kingston, NY (April 22, 2020) – It’s Friday, going on 5 pm, and Cam, 15, Gabe, 12, Raymond, 14, and Stephen, 17, are in their kitchens – some with their moms -- making chicken...
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Baltimore Youth Advocate Programs Participant Gives Thanks
Baltimore Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. participant Tumani shares his thoughts about his Advocate, Jamal. The Neighborhood Advocate met up with him at a...
