YAP Roanoke, Virginia Staff Now Certified in Trauma Training to Help At-Risk Youth

Roanoke, Va. – After eight months, three staff from Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. Roanoke Valley, Va., completed certification in professional development and youth violence prevention training from the Flourish Agenda. Program Director Breyon Fraction,...

Celebrating New Beginnings 

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 in their journeys to put their lives on a positive path.  Program...

YAP’s Making Social Change Happen Awards: Recognizing People Putting their Lives on a Positive Path

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 Rafael López joined Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. to honor...

YAP Hartford Credible Messenger Program Leads from the Heart

Hartford, Conn. – Tired of seeing children of color being misdiagnosed and misunderstood on what triggers certain behaviors is what spearheaded Veronica Maldonado’s life work of helping youth and young adults overcome obstacles to...

A Year Ago, They Were Not in School; Then the ‘Back to Our Future’...

Chicago Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. staff members recently celebrated with the first young people to complete Chicago Public Schools (CPS)’ Back to Our Future (B2OF) program. Launched a year ago, Back to Our...

YAP Charlotte Alternatives to Violence Team Visits Former Program Participant in New York

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 visited former program participant Chance, a graduate of West Charlotte...

YAP Louisiana Helps Youth Stay Out of the Youth Justice System

Monroe, La.  – Sh’Vante Williams will always cherish seeing young people get off drugs, get reenrolled in school and gain employment. They are celebratory moments that she has experienced while working at Youth Advocate...

A Trip to Romania Further Fueled Brandon Lamar’s Passion for His Work in Los...

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 Project Exchange (CEPex). Lamar serves as Los Angeles Program Director...

Home From Prison, Charlotte Advocate Now Strives to Keep Youth Out of Prison Too

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 (YAP), Inc.  As a YAP Advocate, he was finally getting...

YAP House is at the Center of Family Reunification in Northeast Alabama

Scottsboro, Ala. – It’s been approximately a month since Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. opened YAP House in Jackson County, Ala., creating a haven for youth and families to share a meal, do homework,...

YAP Chicago Hosts Back to School Stop the Violence Picnic

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 that brought the community - along with YAP program participants...

There’s New Hope for Xavier and Those Like Him, Kids with Nowhere to Call...

Harris County, TX – When it was time for Xavier to leave a Harris County, Texas residential care facility, he was better, but needed more. “I didn’t have direction; I was treading unknown waters, sailing...

Alternative to Youth Incarceration Services Empower Drake to Put His Life Back on Track While...

Lexington, KY -- At age 17, Drake knows all too well how one very bad decision can detour a kid’s life. Through Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., he also sees how unconditional support and...

Youth Advocate Programs Celebrates 45 Years of Giving New Jersey Alternatives to Putting Kids...

Camden, N.J. – YAP New Jersey recently celebrated 45 years of serving young people and families with a day of “It Takes a Village: Building in New Jersey, One Brick at a Time,” anniversary...

Youth Advocate Programs in Bedford County, PA Relaunches Newly Branded Office

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