A community-based alternative to youth incarceration and institutionalization in 28 states and the District of Columbia, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. recently began serving young people in Los Angeles. Adhering to its “no reject; no eject” policy, YAP serves South Los Angeles youth through a partnership with Shields for Families. As more communities embrace social justice and child welfare systems reform and seek safe, cost-effective alternatives to out-of-home placement, YAP’s Safely Home model has been expanding globally. Founded 44-years ago, YAP has a time-tested model that matches individuals it serves with professional mentor Advocates who receive special training to empower young people to identify their strengths and connect them and their parents/guardians to accessible tools to achieve their personal, family and career goals.
