Allegheny County, Pa. – In the six months that Rafael has been with Youth Advocate Programs’ (YAP®), Inc., Workforce Development Program he has made progress in overcoming his anxiety associated with being in tall buildings, structures with high ceilings, and sitting outdoors.
“Rafael has learned to trust more. He has a fear of being outside in the open sky,” said YAP® Employment Specialist Patrick Brown. “He would feel like the universe might expand and he might get sucked into outer space. Every time we met he would break a new boundary.”
Celebrating 50 years in 2025, YAP® is a national nonprofit that partners with public systems in 32 states and Washington, D.C. to provide community-based and behavioral health services as an alternative to placing young people in trouble or crisis in corrections and residential care facilities. Young people are paired with a neighborhood-based Advocate who champions for them and their families by connecting them with educational, economic and emotional tools in order to succeed.
YAP® Pennsylvania’s Workforce Development Program is a partnership with Agora Cyber Charter School, servicing youth ages 14-21 with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The program provides pre-employment skills to students enrolled in a virtual learning environment. Also known as YAPWORX®, the organization’s workforce development program is designed for young people who face employment barriers where students earn a paycheck as they acquire job training skills.
In Rafael’s case, the program partnered with his school, Agora Cyber Charter School, a Pennsylvania based, tuition-free online public school serving students from kindergarten through 12 grade. Roughly 35% of Agora’s students have individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and the school’s synchronous, personalized approach helps students of all abilities reach their goals.
Whitney Bargerstock, Agora’s Transition Coordinator, said partnerships like this make a measurable impact on students’ futures. “We’re proud of the success we have with students like Rafael, and working with YAP® offers an incredible opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in school to real-world experiences that build confidence, independence, and employability,” Bargerstock said.
Nineteen-year-old Rafael was connected to YAP® and Brown earlier this year and has since graduated from Agora Cyber Charter. In their initial meeting, Brown said Rafael was nervous to sit outside and talk due to his phobia. He is currently a food service delivery driver and is looking for other employment.
“He was very shy and timid at first,” Brown said, adding, “I asked him if he wanted to go inside to talk and I let him know that we weren’t going to do anything too quickly that would make him uncomfortable.”
Over time, Brown would earn Rafael’s trust and spent two days a week with him for 10 hours, helping him with his schoolwork, independence, and overcoming his fears. They’ve visited museums, a furniture store with high vaulting, parks and other places together.
“Patrick has helped me get out more,” Rafael said. “He is very friendly. I trust him very much. I’m not saying my fear of certain things is totally gone, but there have been steps forward.”
Rafael’s last day in the program was July 30. He plans to attend community college in the fall to major in business.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Brown who has worked for YAP® since 2024. “Rafael has made so much progress. We will definitely stay in touch with one another.”
Rafael agrees.
“Patrick is someone I can relate to,” he added. “He gives me an instant calming energy.”
Brown enjoys helping young people like Rafael.
“I really want to make a difference in the lives of youth and help kids who may come from negative environments or are having trouble in their personal lives, truancy or court involved situations,” Brown added. “I want to fight for them, help them graduate high school; and assist them to get out of the court system, or foster homes.”
For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.
