Baltimore, MD — Like most of the young people he works with, Teshombae Harvell has experienced gun violence firsthand — as a perpetrator and a victim.
As a Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc. Baltimore Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) Life Coach, Harvell aims to demonstrate to individuals identified as being at the greatest risk of engaging in gun violence that there’s a way out.
“I grew up in East Baltimore’s Latrobe Projects,” Harvell said. “Two things impacted me in such a way that I facilitate services with great passion — serving prison time where I took accountability for my actions, and losing my second oldest son to gun violence.”
Harvell will share his experiences as a panelist at the Nov. 6, 2025, 50th anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit in Philadelphia. YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers individual and family wraparound services that give communities an alternative to placing young people in trouble, crisis, or facing other complex challenges in corrections or residential care facilities. Guided by principles of its evidence-based YAPWrap® model, the nonprofit’s services also help cities reduce neighborhood violence.
“Because of Mr. Teshombae and his GVRS team at YAP®, my life has made a 360-degree turnaround,” said Jaylen, a 19-year-old program participant. “A year ago, I was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. Without getting into detail, I was not living right at the time,” he added. “Mr. Teshombae helped me see myself in a different way.”
Harvell had worked in human services for nearly two decades when he joined the YAP® GVRS team. His background includes experience with Baltimore Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, Job Corps, and other prevention and behavioral change programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in counseling and a master’s in human services.
“I always knew I was smart,” Jaylen said, “but he [Harvell] taught me how to put my intelligence to work for good. I just graduated from high school and had I not gotten sick, I would have had perfect attendance.”
Harvell and his GVRS team help program participants see and nurture their strengths and talents and connect them and their loved ones to individualized tools and resources to firm their family foundation.
Jaylen said with support from Harvell, he is working towards a positive future. He now has a job and will soon begin career training to become a plumber. “And I have coping skills. I know how to deal with conflict, and I have a better relationship with my family.”
Harvell has been married for 21 years. He has 14 children and 15 grandchildren.
“My priority is family first, then saving the world,” he said.
Learn more about YAP® and the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary events at YAPInc.org.