Carbon/Monroe County, Pa. – Since June 2024, Caleb has been keeping staff and families informed through Youth Advocate Programs’ (YAP) Inc. Carbon/Monroe County social media page.
“I make the posts for the Facebook page and do some other things around the office like weekly newsletters,” said 20 year-old Caleb. “I think my social skills have improved a lot.”
Caleb is a participant in YAP Carbon/Monroe County’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s MY Work program. MY Work matches young people with disabilities to job opportunities to gain work experience in their local municipalities.
YAP is a national nonprofit in 34 states and Washington, D.C. that provides community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, residential care, and group home foster placements. The agency partners with public systems to provide individual and family wraparound and behavioral health services as an alternative to out-of-home placement.
While YAP places most participants with business and nonprofit employers in Pennsylvania counties, the nonprofit found the perfect job for Caleb at the YAP Carbon/Monroe County office. Employment Specialist Tammy Keahey has known Caleb since October 2023 when she met him and his family during the program’s intake process.
“Caleb was quite shy when I first met him,” said Keahey who also described him as funny and genuine. “He would answer with yes or no answers and quick replies, but he was always curious and kind. After a few months of talking with Caleb and finding out his interests and capabilities, that is how he ended up working at YAP.”
Caleb, who enjoys doing graphic design, peer programming and making music, creates “Monday Morning Mindful Messages,” on the local YAP Monroe County Facebook page accompanied by an inspirational message or quote. He spends approximately three or four hours a week in the office doing administrative tasks and also works virtually.
“The Monday Morning Mindful Messages are to help people get through Mondays,” he said of the weekly posts. “They are quotes that anyone can take inspiration from.”
Additionally, Caleb creates certificates to celebrate employee work anniversaries, helps answer the office phone, sets up staff meetings on Microsoft Teams and has learned how to write a professional email.
“To attest to Caleb’s character, he drove an hour each way one day to the office for the first time by himself because he did not want to miss work,” Keahey said, adding that he usually gets dropped off. “That really shows his dedication to his job.”
YAP Carbon/Monroe, County Program Director Rachelle Antoine said Keahey and Caleb make a good team and she has helped him come out of his shell.
“He is an excellent worker,” Antoine said. “I have only positive things to say about Caleb. It’s been an honor watching him complete tasks. He’s taught me things on the printer that I didn’t even know we had the capability to do. Caleb is a sponge, so I know he is willing to learn more.”
Caleb also set up an office space that includes a candy bowl for staff to grab a sweet treat. His family has seen his work space and they took a tour of the YAP Monroe County office, which includes eight behavioral health technicians and three behavior consultants. Caleb is thankful to Keahey and Antoine whom he referred to as “good friends.”
“YAP does a good job of helping people,” Caleb added. “It’s made a positive impact on my life.”
For more information on YAP visit yapinc.org or follow the YAP Monroe County, Pa. Facebook page.
