YAP® Making Change Happen Awards Gala Keynote Speaker Judge Glenda Hatchett.
Philadelphia, Pa. – Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc., celebrated five decades of serving as the nation’s premier nonprofit provider of community-based alternatives to youth incarceration and residential care with its YAP® Making Change Happen Awards Gala on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown.
The event featured Judge Glenda Hatchett, star of two-time Emmy-nominated “Judge Hatchett” and “The Verdict with Judge Hatchett,” and a former Chief Judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court in Georgia. The evening brought together youth justice, child welfare, mental health, and public safety practitioners, researchers, and former YAP® program participants. It also honored YAP® pioneers and other American changemakers, including Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, whose work has led to stronger outcomes with safer and less costly justice, family, and public safety services.
YAP® partners with youth justice, child welfare, education, developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and other youth and family services systems in communities in 32 states and Washington D.C. YAP®’s decades of service include working with many young people whose histories include serious offenses, multiple arrests, and lengthy out-of-home placements. For more information on YAP®, visit yapinc.org.
Exec VP’s Jessica Carlton, Lynette Connor, VP Jennifer Drake and Dr. LaVeisha Cummings.Coordinator of Autism Rachel Bartley and Regional Director Susan Hurd. Keesha Hudgins, Shameka Crusoe, Vivian Davis, Tiffany McFall, Megan Doyle & Beverly Benson.VP Jamaal Crawford and South Carolina Director Latoya Rivers. YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honoree Roseanna Anderson and Board Chair Teddy Reese. Directors LaKiesha Hill, Melissa Massari, Louis Marcone and Rachel BongiornoYAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honorees Shaena Fazal and Sebastian Johnson. Clark County, Nev. Director Neosha Smith and Texas Assistant Director Nateyah McLeod. Alfred Anderson and VP of the West Region Kimberly Brandon. Ajara Marie Bomah, Executive Director Sierra Leone Youth Advocate Program.YAP COO Joanne Troutman and VP of Research and Evaluation Dr. Chantal Jones. Regional Director Estrella Griggs , Clinical Director Latasha Saul & Director Gloria Shoemaker.YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honoree Sam Lewis and Board Chair Teddy Reese. Former Philadelphia program participants Natassia and Nasir. Former YAP program participant Michael and his parents Sara and Don. YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honoree Shay Bilchik and Board Chair Teddy Reese.Regional Director Naomi Edwards. Hillsborough County, Fla. Director Ophilia Ciesicki. Delaware Regional Admin Maria Scott. Regional Director Ed Harmon and YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory. VP of CQI Michelle Heim, CQI Managers Caitlin Byrd and Saul Villar. Alexis Stone, Norvie Veracruz Saul Villar. John Kirtley, Neosha Smith, Nateya McLeod & Alex Alvear. NC Director Hope Knuckles-Perks.YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honoree YAP Ireland CEO Siobhan O’dwyer, Board Chair Teddy Reese. YAP CEO/President Gary Ivory, Honoree John Kelly, Board Chair Teddy Reese. YAP Executive Team and Executive Vice Presidents. Regional Director E’Ron Leveston, Connecticut Director Shyquon Thompson & Regional Director Marlon Rucker. YAP CEO & President Gary Ivory, Baltimore Mayor and Honoree Brandon M. Scott & Board Chair Teddy Reese.
