The Neighborhood Advocate

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education Will Help Ease the Financial Burden New Jersey – Four former New Jersey Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), participants recently received scholarships to further their education through the nonprofit’s...