Youth Advocate Programs™ (YAP®) Michigan Program Director Shannon Collin said from a young age, she has felt a deep calling to help others.
“This passion has guided every step of my professional journey, beginning with my education at Central Michigan University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in social work and a minor in psychology,” she said. “During my undergraduate studies, I completed an internship with the Maternal and Infant Support Services program at the Central Michigan District Health Department. This experience gave me the invaluable opportunity to work closely with expectant and new mothers, their infants, and families—an early confirmation of my desire to serve and support vulnerable populations.”
Collin will share her experiences as Program Director for YAP® Michigan as a panelist at the 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit. YAP® is a national nonprofit that delivers community-based services as an alternative to incarcerating or placing young people in trouble or crisis or who face other complex challenges in residential or corrections facilities. In the past decade, communities have also partnered with the nonprofit to apply principles of its evidence-based model to their approaches to reduce neighborhood violence.
“In 2021, I joined the Michigan YAP® team and was excited to be part of a small but passionate group of six staff members. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of watching our program grow exponentially. Our team has grown to over twenty dedicated staff members. We’ve expanded from serving up to 20 participants under one grant across seven counties to supporting up to 61 participants across the entire Lower Peninsula and two-thirds of the Upper Peninsula through six different grants,” Collin said. “Being part of this growth has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to work alongside a team that is nonjudgmental, strength-based, and fully dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and encouraging every youth and family we serve.”
Collin’s first professional role following graduation was at the Isabella County Nonsecure Detention Home.
“This position taught me one of the most important lessons of my career: that every young person has a unique story and, with respect and the right support, has the capacity for growth and positive change,” she said. “I later transitioned to the Isabella County Day Treatment Program, where I continued to work with youth in a more treatment-focused setting, helping them navigate challenges while building trust and resilience.”
After three years working with youth, Collin joined Eight CAP, Inc., serving as Family Support Coordinator in Head Start, Community Services Specialist in Community Services, and Housing Resource Specialist Supervisor in the Housing Department.
“Throughout these roles, I gained invaluable insight into the realities of both generational and situational poverty and worked to empower individuals and families to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life,” she said. “My passion for this work is fueled by the belief that with the right guidance and support, every individual has the ability to grow and thrive.”
Learn more about YAP®’s 50th anniversary events at yapinc.org/50th.
