The Neighborhood Advocate

Chicago, Ill. – Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. hosted a Thanksgiving Sneaker Ball that allowed its Back to Our Future program participants and their families to dress up and enjoy an evening of elegance they may...

Chicago, Ill. -- Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc’s Chicago Washington Heights Violence Interruption team members added Thanksgiving turkeys to the many services they provide to make the neighborhood they serve safer. The Washington Heights YAP...

Los Angeles - At age 18, Kevin’s best memories of his childhood were before his 14th birthday. He played and was good at just about every sport. One of his biggest fans and best...

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 youth and adults meeting major milestones in putting their lives...

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,...

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...