Mecklenburg County, NC – Current and former youth, their families, and staff of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP ®), Inc. Mecklenburg County’s Youth Justice Program celebrated five years of making a difference in Charlotte.
“It feels good to have people come out and connect,” said Program Director Hope Knuckles-Perks, who was first an Advocate with the program since its inception in 2019. “I love seeing my families. Talking outside of work feels good, as well as having everybody together.”
YAP, a leading nonprofit in 33 states and Washington, D.C., provides trauma-informed services that reduce the nation’s overreliance on youth incarceration, residential care, and group homes and other out-of-home placements. In 2025, YAP celebrates 50 years of partnering with public systems to provide individual and family wraparound and behavioral health services as an alternative to out-of-home placement. The “YAPWrap®” model is also used in cities to help curb neighborhood violence.
The 5-year anniversary celebration was held on Jan. 17 at the YAP Mecklenburg County Youth Justice Program office on Regency Executive Park Drive. Youth created vision boards to show their 5-year plans they have for their lives. The program partners with the court system – where through referrals – program participants are matched with a neighborhood-based YAP Advocate who champions for them and connects them and their families with individualized economic, educational and emotional tools and resources that guide them to achieve their goals.
Advocate Donta’ Fuller has worked with six youth since he was hired four years ago.
“It’s all about helping kids; being there to offer support and be a resource for them,” Fuller said. “I enjoy helping them through whatever conflicts or challenges they have in their lives. I’m most proud of working with youth and getting them to participate in different activities like horse lessons, bakery and photography classes.”
Unfortunately, Fuller said two of his program participants were murdered six months apart in October 2021 and March 2022. They were ages 15 and 17 when they died.
“I still think about them all the time,” Fuller said. “With the support of YAP, Hope and outside support, I was able to move forward and push through to be able to continue to work.”
Like Fuller, Advocates Gary Alsup and Burrell Artiste say giving back through YAP is fulfilling and important to them.
“I grew up in a neighborhood that had a community center, that did a lot for kids and I just want to extend myself back in some way,” said Artiste, who is originally from New York. “Being able to come alongside them and give them the right push and the right values, helps them to want to do more for themselves.”
Alsup has been working with 15 year-old Nehemiah since September 2024. They attended the YAP celebration together. Nehemiah boasted that with Alsup’s help he received an 85% on his Spanish test.
“[Mr. Gary] has helped me in different ways,” said Nehemiah who is a freshman at Julius L. Chambers High School. “He’s given me advice and sometimes the advice comes in handy in different situations. Mr. Gary is a good dude. He’s chill. He is a nice person to talk to and is good company.”
Alsup said he is Nehemiah’s “safety net,” and he can call him when he needs. They see each other at least twice a week and workout, play basketball, go to the movies or do other activities.
“Any time there is something going on, he can call me,” Alsup said. “Just being a constant in a youth’s life is important because in some instances youth don’t have that. They just want to know someone loves and cares about them. Nehemiah is a good kid. I’m definitely glad that we crossed passed paths.”
Parents like Erica Perry are thankful to YAP. Her 16 year-old son was first referred to YAP in 2022 after getting into some trouble.
“YAP is a good program for youth because it gives them something to do, someone to connect with,” Perry said. “It gets them out of their comfort zones so they can try different things. It’s good for youth who are at-risk of getting in trouble. I am just glad they’re sticking around and willing to help my son. I really appreciate that.”
Receiving support from families/guardians is imperative, said YAP Mecklenburg County Assistant Director India Harrison.
“It feels good intrinsically,” Harrison said. “We hope that we can continue to do this work. With the staff that we have and how are hearts are set up, every interaction that we have is an opportunity to show that we care. It feels good that every time we come to work, or when we’re calling people, we’re showing them that there are other people outside of their family who are caring for them and they are receptive to it.”
As for Knuckles-Perks, who has been an Advocate, program coordinator and now director, it’s the youth and Advocates who keep her going.
“I’ve always been on board with YAP’s mission and I’ve kind of imbedded it in my life so I have no plans on leaving,” she added. “I plan to continue to grow in the organization. We are really making a difference and that is what is most important to me.”
For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org.
