Cook County, Ill. – Hoping to be a part of the solution in helping youth and families and reduce crime in his home country, Justin Jarvis took a fellowship with Youth Advocate Programs (YAP™), Inc., in Chicago where he is learning what makes the nearly 50 year-old organization unique.
“If we could adopt and implement some of YAP’s policies, I could guarantee that my country would see a decrease in youth crimes and incarceration,” Jarvis, 28, said. “There is no program like YAP in my country.”
YAP is a national nonprofit in 35 states and the District of Columbia with an international footprint that delivers community-based services as an alternative to youth incarceration, residential care, and neighborhood violence.
Jarvis has been working alongside Chicago’s youth justice and violence intervention programs where YAP Advocates and outreach workers are trained to empower program participants to see their strengths while connecting them and their families to wraparound services known as YAPWrap™ that include individualized educational, economic, and emotional tools to help them achieve their goals.
Jarvis, a Trinidad and Tobago native, has been in the Windy City since August and will stay until December through an exchange program with IREX Community Solutions, a professional development initiative that enhances leaders ages 26-39 with additional skills to address social, environmental, political and other issues in their local communities. The Community Solutions Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX.
“I love the wraparound approach,” Jarvis said. “The mere fact that you are engaging not just the individual, but also their families, and to an extent their community too; is a good thing. I come from a small nation. We came up on the term that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ The entire community is that family. I like seeing that concept at YAP.”
By providing unbiased support, Jarvis said he has seen YAP staff provide program participants with unconditional love and caring by showing up to their court dates, athletic or other school activities, and being available for youth whenever they are needed.
“YAP Advocates invest their time and resources in young people,” Jarvis said, adding, “people are taking time from their lives to help others. That shows compassion and unselfish love. I have seen how staff go above and beyond to support young people.”
Jarvis said there are not many opportunities for youth in Trinidad and Tobago and jobs are scarce.
“Because there are no productive avenues for youth most of them become repeat offenders,” he added. “In my country resources are limited and we do not have many options for young people once they come out of high school. Careers are also limited.”
As a human rights, social, and environmental activist and someone who is active in his community, Jarvis said he can relate to young people who may have challenges or sometimes feel depressed. In 2019, he was diagnosed with vasculitis, a condition that causes white blood vessels to become inflamed or damaged. Ultimately it led to the amputation of his legs in order to save this life.
It took almost two months to receive his prosthetic legs. The experience led Jarvis to start his own organization – Foundation for the Differently Abled and Underprivileged Persons- with his family and friends to help others who may be going through the similar things.
“My family is not perfect, but unless you have a strong support system things can get tough,” said Jarvis who enjoys reading, singing and watching YouTube videos. “Every day is a new day for betterment, for growth and development. Even if you feel like you are stuck in one place. Allow yourself to feel what you feel, but don’t get stuck in it for too long.”
While in the U.S., Jarvis has had a myriad of experiences. At the end of September, he joined YAP leaders and board members on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. during the organization’s first Hill Day to raise awareness of and advocate for the nonprofit’s programs. YAP Regional Director E’Ron Leveston and Diana Matteson, YAP Director of International Development were also in attendance, both of whom he’s worked closely with since arriving in Chicago.
“Justin has an undeniable passion for youth in underserved communities. He has taken a special interest in learning some of the youths’ backgrounds and has worked to connect with them by learning their stories,” Leveston said. “During my time with him in Washington, D.C. at Hill Day, Justin shared his personal story and it was evident how invested and determined he was to affect change. I believe he will use his experience with YAP to do great things in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Matteson said Jarvis is a joy to know and learn from.
“Justin has not just made a favorable impression on the YAP Chicago team and national YAP leaders, he has created a community with YAP global leaders, sharing his unique perspective and adding to our YAP global knowledge base,” she said. “I look forward to working with Justin on how the YAP model can be introduced in Trinidad to strengthen communities, families, and young people.”
Jarvis’ ultimate goal is to return home and help to implement a program similar to YAP through governmental support or partnerships with other organizations.
“If we could adapt and implement some of YAP’s policies I could guarantee that my country would see a decrease in youth crimes and incarceration,” he added. “I got connected to YAP to learn about its programs, policies and opportunities. If I am able to help start this at home, it would be the first YAP in the Caribbean. It is something that has a lot of potential and young people can benefit from it.”
For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org or follow YAP on X @YAPInc.
