YAP, Inc.The Neighborhood Advocate

Kingston, N.Y. – Skipping school and being on probation is why Alexis was referred to Ulster County’s Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. when she was 14 years-old. Thanks to her family, YAP, and her Advocate with the program, today she’s a young adult, in college. She’s also one of 23 former program participants and family members or guardians who received the 2021 Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education.

“I was doing really bad,” said Alexis, now 22. I wouldn’t go to school. I left YAP when I was placed in a group home, and then I rejoined YAP and met Jenilee. She’s a wonderful person.”

Jenilee Pollan is the Program Director of Ulster County’s YAP but was Alexis’ Advocate when she first came to the program in 2016.

YAP is a national nonprofit in 32 states and the District of Columbia that partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health and other systems to provide trauma-informed community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration, congregate placements, residential treatment, and neighborhood violence.

“She was a big school avoider,” Pollan said of Alexis. “She is a really good kid, well — woman — now. She had a really good support system.”

Pollan helped Alexis’ family secure home schooling for her to finish high school and even employed her through her personal cleaning business. With Pollan’s encouragement Alexis completed her education and is now enrolled in Strayer University.

“College is something that I always push,” Pollan said. “I remind them they can apply for the (YAP Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education) Scholarship.”

Through the Endowment Fund scholarship, Alexis received a MacBook laptop to continue her college studies. YAP started the scholarship fund in 2004 through weekly contributions from generous YAP employees. The fund was renamed the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education in honor of YAP’s founder after his death. The special scholarship is $1,000 toward school and job training costs or can come in the form of a laptop computer. Recipients can reapply annually.

Ulster County YAP held a ceremony to congratulate Alexis on her achievement in February. She brought her family to the celebration that included an oversized check presentation and cupcakes.

“I am doing college online and having this laptop means a lot,” Alexis said. “YAP is a great program. If there are any problems, they come and help get you out of that environment.”

Pollan, who first started with YAP in 2013 before becoming assistant director and director, said she couldn’t be prouder of Alexis who still shares her grades with her even though she doesn’t have to. She said growing up in her New York state region can be rough and the teen years are difficult for youth, but she’s in awe of young people like Alexis who are able to break barriers and succeed.

Alexis, is now a married mother of two children, ages 5 years-old and 9 months, with a third child on the way.

“(Alexis) is a great adult and a good mom, she deserves this,” Pollan added. “This work feeds my soul. What I do helps me sleep at night. It definitely encourages me and helps me with my own trauma; me being able to help others.”

For more information on YAP, visit www.YAPInc.org. Follow the organization on Twitter @YAPInc.

Lebanon County, PA – For Jose, weekly visits to the laundromat are no ordinary chore. It’s something he does with his Developmental Disabilities Services Advocate Frances Rimby. And for him, it represents independence.

“I wash dishes, make coffee, but with laundry, I do that the best,” he said proudly.

Rimby works for Lebanon & Schuylkill Counties Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., a national nonprofit in 32 states and the District of Columbia that provides community-based services as an alternative to out-of-home placements like youth incarceration, congregate care, and residential treatment. YAP’s Advocates and other frontline staff are trained to help program participants see their strengths, provide them and their families with wraparound services, and connect them with tools to help them thrive.

At age 60, Jose, like some of the nonprofit’s other Intellectual Disabilities/Autism program participants, is older than the average YAP program participant.

“When I started working with Jose, I was a little nervous because I had never worked with an older adult before,” Rimby said. “Once Jose and I felt comfortable working together, my nervousness went away; I tried to make things fun.”

Rimby’s work with Jose is consistent with the organization’s mission to provide individuals who are, have been or may be subject to compulsory care with the opportunity to develop, contribute and be valued as assets to their communities. YAP’s services, which include zipcode matched program staff recruitment, offer safe, effective, culturally responsive and economical alternatives to institutional placement.

“When I started working with him in 2016, Jose washed his clothes at home. He had a washing machine, but he didn’t have a dryer, so he would hang them to dry on a line and a lot of times, he’d put them away damp and wear them that way,” Rimby said.

When Jose’s washing machine broke, Rimby saw an opportunity for him to change his routine and learn some new skills.

“I started taking Jose to the laundromat where he had never been before. By showing him the steps to washing and drying clothes, he started to do things on his own without guidance,” she said. “He also started counting the number of quarters needed to wash and dry clothes.”

Jose lives alone with support from a cousin who buys his groceries and makes sure other personal needs are met.

“I saw that Jose had the ability to do anything he wanted to whether by encouragement or being shown. Jose enjoyed being active and being outside so we would go to the park to walk the trail or play tennis. He also enjoys being involved in Special Olympics sports — tennis, basketball, volleyball, bowling — so I would take him to some of the practices,” Rimby said.

The laundromat visits, along with walks to the park and other activities with Rimby also give Jose a chance to get to know his neighbors and make new friends.

“Jose used to struggle with talking to people he did not know in the community. Over the years, I showed him how to be friendly by saying hello, good morning, or afternoon to people.,” Rimby said. “He now will talk to people that he sees often at the same place and have a conversation with them.”

Rimby said since working with Jose, she’s more patient and confident and looks at life differently.

“Jose has always made me welcome when I enter his home by asking me how my day has been,” she said. “I could be having a rough day and Jose is always able to put a smile on my face.”

Learn more about YAP at YAPInc.org. Follow us on Twitter.

Nashville, Tenn. – Knowing the importance of having a father figure in a child’s life and reading about the need for positive male role models is what led Calvin Price to Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. in Davidson County, Tennessee.

“My father was in prison most of my childhood and wasn’t present in my life for a big portion of it due to challenges of his own,” Price said. “I loved my father like I know all children do. That place in a child’s heart for their father is always there, whether their father is in their life or not. What pushed me into [becoming a YAP Advocate] is the desire to be a positive role model to the youth in the same way I desired a role model as a youth.”

 Since the inception of YAP’s Davidson County program in 2021, Price has been an Advocate for the national nonprofit that has been around for 46 years and partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities, and other systems to provide community-based services. YAP’s evidence-based model involves hiring primarily neighborhood-based Advocates and other staff who work with program youth and their families. YAP Advocates provide individualized “wraparound” services that include helping youth identify their strengths and connecting them and their families with tools to help them meet their goals.

“When I saw the posting online, and I guess one of the things that really brought me to interview and to apply at YAP is that they encouraged men to apply,” Price said. “The position had to do with the youth and providing positive role models. I thought that would be a good fit for me because I have a passion for that.”

A partnership with Davidson County Juvenile Court, YAP’s local programming—Wrapping Around Families for Success—serves up to 40 youth ages 12-18 and is funded by a Tennessee Victims of Crime Act grant (this project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee).

“YAP exemplifies best practices in youth programming by connecting our youth with trained, caring advocates who truly understand their challenges and won’t give up on them, no matter what,” Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway said.

Through training and support, YAP’s Advocates are provided with the support tools needed to engage, support and mentor youth participants. Price said he connects to youth by taking an interest in what they are intrigued by.

“I make the investment in their interest,” Price said. “That is what motivates most of the engagement. They always want to do the things and talk about things that they like, so that helps conversation wise and gets them to open up.”

Price said there have been events that he and participants have attended together, which have been beneficial. So far being an Advocate has been rewarding for Price. To date, he’s been an Advocate to seven youth participants, three who have completed the program.

“I believe that a lot of people that have the same passion that I do as far as helping in this way but they may not have the same opportunities or may not know how to do so,” Price said. “With programs like this and other ones, more opportunities are becoming available. With that it can only make a more powerful impact on the community and on society as a whole.”

Price added, “I am thankful to people who have that heart to work with youth and I am hoping that more people decide to step out and become a part of it.”

To listen to Paradigm Shift Education’s Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast featuring an interview with Price, click here. If you’re interested in becoming a YAP Advocate, visit www.YAPInc.org. Follow the organization on Twitter @YAPInc.

The Dallas Cred team and volunteers affectionately referred to as the “InCREDibles,” distributed food to 185 households and approximately 750 individuals in the community at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, 5150 Mark Trail Way in Dallas. on Feb. 11, 2022.

Dallas Cred held the event in conjunction with Dallas Park and Recreation, the North Texas Food Bank, the Dallas Police Department and other supporters. Dallas Cred is one of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.’s violence interruption programs across the U.S. A national nonprofit, YAP provides services in 32 states and the District of Columbia that serve as an alternative to youth incarceration; congregate child welfare, behavioral health and intellectual disabilities placements; and neighborhood violence. YAP advocates for and demonstrates that more effective systems change is possible.

Learn more about YAP at YAPInc.org. Follow the organization on Twitter @YAPInc. 

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. has begun production for “But I’m Not,” a unique public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to raise awareness of safe, effective community-based alternatives to youth incarceration and congregate care/treatment.

TV, radio and print “But I’m Not” public service announcement (PSA) ads feature three current and former YAP program participants who appear with frontline YAP staff members.

Tumani, age 22, a former YAP Youth Justice program participant, shares how as a youth, he committed crimes, even got shot. “But I’m not a criminal” he says looking into the camera.

Jaylyn, age 16, a former YAP Child Welfare program participant, shares how as a little girl, she experienced trauma, acted out, and made mistakes.

“But I’m not a mistake,” she says. Gavin, age 22, a participant in YAP’s Intellectual Disabilities/Autism program who also received YAP Behavioral Health services, shares how growing up, he was often told what he can’t do, so much that he has often lost hope. “But I’m not hopeless,” he says.

For the ads, Tumani is joined by his former Advocate, Jamal; Jaylyn is joined by her former Advocate, Milly; and Gavin is joined by Frances, a YAP Intellectual Disabilities Specialist Advocate who along with YAP Behavioral Health program staff, have supported him for several years.

At the end of the 60-second PSA, Tumani tells the audience that now he’s an Advocate, who like Jamal, is helping young people change their lives.

“This campaign brings to light how the power of YAP’s model is its simplicity. Each of our program participants shares how working with our amazing Advocates and behavioral health professionals, they were empowered to truly see and put into practice their unique strengths gifts and talents to help themselves and others,”  said YAP Chief Communications Officer Kelly D. Williams. “I’m extremely excited that these public service announcements provide one more avenue for people to see how special YAP is and to highlight how the organization’s work is what social change looks like.”

YAP’s digital PSAs are already appearing in searches for people looking for mentoring, advocacy, social services and social justice jobs and partnerships. Video and radio PSAs under production this month will be available to TV and radio stations beginning late March when they will also post for sharing on YAP’s website at www.yapinc.org.

Lebanon County, Pa. – Eighteen-year-old Miquel is leaving Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., focused on his future with his forklift certificate in tow to help get him there.

“I am proud because it is something that is going to help me,” Miquel said about his accomplishment. “Now I plan on getting a job and getting my GED.”

YAP is a national nonprofit in 32 states and the District of Columbia that partners with youth justice, child welfare and other systems to provide trauma-informed community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration, congregate placements and treatment, and neighborhood violence. The Lebanon County Juvenile Probation Office referred Miquel to YAP in 2019 after he was missing probation and was skipping school.

“He’s changed, there is growth; but he’s always been a good kid,” said YAP Community Treatment Advocate Jon Melendez. “He’s always been helpful and friendly. He went from being a kid to an adult.”

YAP Advocates and other frontline staff are trained to help young people identify their strengths and empower them and their parents and guardians with accessible tools to turn their lives around. One of the tools available to YAP participants in Lebanon County is Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), where the qualifications for youth participation in the program are that they have two general barriers to employment.

“We try to prepare them for any certifications and anything we can help them get once they turn 18. Forklift is one of the certifications they could pick out,” said YAP Program Coordinator Dee Cook. “The certification was a one-day experience for everything, and Miquel walked out of there with a forklift certificate. Once he tasted that success, I knew he would be fine.”

Cook, who met Miguel last summer, remembers looking in on him during his day-long certification training experience, which included a written test. At one point, she saw him cheering on other participants and showing others how to properly use the forklift.

“I could not believe how he was not only coming around and doing this himself, but he was also supporting others,” Cook said. “It was just the neatest thing for me to watch. I know he felt good.”

Melendez shares Cook’s happiness about Miquel’s achievement, adding that the young man has an opportunity to make good money.

Miquel will begin working at a warehouse this month through YAP Supported work where a local employer provides work experience, and the nonprofit pays the program participant’s wages. Meantime, Miguel will also have an opportunity to participate in YAPWORX, where YAP program participants meet with employers to learn about career options, get support with building a resume, and gain social capital, a network of caring contacts who can help them improve their economic mobility.

Miquel, who finished YAP’s program in December, said he’s going to miss laughing and joking with Melendez but plans to keep in touch.

“I am going to miss him because he was consistent,” Melendez added. “You knew what you were getting with him.”

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., in Tarrant County, Texas helped provide Christmas gifts to program participants and their families with the help of Nolan Catholic High School.

YAP, a national nonprofit in 32 states and the District of Columbia, provides community-based youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities/autism, and violence interruption services. Program participants and their families receive wraparound services that connect them to accessible trauma-informed strength-building tools to achieve their emotional, educational, and economic goals.

For more information about YAP, visit www.YAPInc.org. Follow the organization on Twitter @YAPInc.

Chicago, IL – Chicago Public School (CPS) students and their families are getting a special Chicago-style door-to-door delivery. 

It comes courtesy Garrett Popcorn Shops, which donated thousands of bags of Garrett Mix to community organizations that partners with CPS for the district’s Choose to Change Program. The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab found Choose to Change reduces violence and increases school attendance among the highest risk students.  

The nonprofits making the delivery include Youth Advocate Programs – or YAP — which partners with Children’s Home & Aid to deliver Choose to Change wraparound and trauma-informed behavioral health services. Joining YAP for the popcorn delivery are New Life Centers and Lifeline to Hope, Inc., two nonprofits that will help CPS reach up to 1,000 students with Choose-to-Change informed programming by the end of 2022.  

YAP’s Street Outreach and Violence Prevention Director Kenneth Lewis said the nonprofit employees making the Garrett Chicago Mix deliveries are catching up with Choose to Change students and their families and neighbors at home, church, community centers, barbershops, and other gathering spots throughout the community. 

The donation was made possible through talks with Garrett and CPS Chief of Safety and Security Officer Jadine Chou.