Tarrant County, Texas – Maja is closer to her goal of supporting young people with the kind of support that put her on a positive path, thanks to the Youth Advocate Programs’ (YAP®), Inc., Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund Scholarship for Continuing Education. Maja’s ultimate goal is to earn a doctoral degree in psychology and become a psychologist.
“Through my exposure to YAP and the resources it has provided me, I have noticed a significant increase in my quality of life and my tools for success,” she wrote in her scholarship essay. “The experience has furthered my understanding of the field of psychology and reinforced my desire to help others through my future career.”
YAP is a national nonprofit in 34 states and Washington, D.C., providing trauma-informed services reducing the nation’s overreliance on youth incarceration, residential care, group homes, psychiatric hospitalizations, and other out-of-home placements. Celebrating its 50th year in 2025, YAP partners with public systems to provide community-based wraparound and behavioral health services as an alternative to detention and residential care.
Maja’s essay was part of her second application for the scholarship, which YAP program youth and parents/guardians are able to apply for consecutively for four years. Named after YAP’s founder, the Tom Jeffers scholarship is mostly funded by donations from the nonprofit’s employees and is awarded as a $1,200 educational cost payment or a laptop computer.
“Receiving the scholarship last year has been a tremendous assistance to me and has allowed me to devote more time toward my education, community involvement and furthering my passion,” she wrote, adding, “The scholarship has also allowed me to seek mentorship from professionals in the field, which has caused me to gain valuable insights and guidance for my academic and career path.”
A former YAP Tarrant County, Texas program participant, Maja is a senior in college at the University of Texas at Austin who used her scholarship for tuition and fees.
“The scholarship has positively impacted me by providing financial relief and allowed for me to concentrate on my studies and actively participate in my academic and volunteer commitments,” Maja wrote.
With a 3.8 grade point average, Maja has taken on leadership roles in a psychology honor society as a volunteer coordinator, mentor, and president.
“Throughout my engagement with YAP, I encountered many compassionate individuals who consistently provided kindness and thoughtfulness,” she said. “Witnessing firsthand the amazing and impactful work that can be accomplished with a psychology degree has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities.”
A YAP Licensed Therapist who worked with Maja and recommended her for the scholarship said she embodies determination, drive and ambition.
“Maja uniquely stands out due to her commitment to YAP and the services offered to her,” the Licensed Therapist wrote. “From the very beginning of services, Maja has been consistent in her ability to show up and show up well. It is obvious that Maja strongly benefited from YAP services due to her consistency and commitment to better herself and address the hard things in life.”
For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org.
