By YAP Clinton County, NY Program Director Chance Phillips
Clinton County, N.Y. -Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. is a national nonprofit in 34 states and Washington, D.C., that provides community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, residential treatment, and interrupting neighborhood violence. In Clinton County, N.Y., the 0-5 program works by providing wraparound support that includes parenting skills, improving home conditions, safety, and more. Aligned with YAP’s mission, the program aims to keep kids safely home by working with parents to create a safe, nurturing environment while teaching them skills they can continue to use long after they complete the program.
For more information about YAP, visit yapinc.org or follow on Twitter at YAPInc.
The account below is a submission from YAP Clinton County Program Participant Mary Moore.
My name is Mary Moore and being a first-time mother, I was lost after giving birth to my daughter Brielle. I was suffering from postpartum depression and didn’t have the knowledge on how to be a parent.
I was given the opportunity to work with Youth Advocate Programs, but was unsure of how YAP was going to be able to help me. I made the choice to give it a try not only for myself but for my family.
YAP’s Intensive Family Coordinator Erin Mitchell came into my home and has helped me tremendously with not only my confidence, but also my comfort levels on being a parent. I was shown new opportunities, skill improvements and genuine compassion. YAP has helped me grow into the parent that I am today!
No matter how difficult the situation was, Erin never gave up on me and was always there to push me to never give up. I am so beyond grateful to have been given this opportunity to be in this program and to have had such a wonderful Advocate in Erin. Erin has been the nicest and most respectful person I’ve ever met. She’s helped me excel in many aspects of parenthood.
For myself, YAP means hope. This program is here to remind me that help is always at my fingertips. I recommend this wonderful program to anyone who needs help.
