Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. program leaders delivered impassioned messages about their work as part of the launch of YAPTalks. The first of a series of talks came during an annual global YAP Directors meeting
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YAP delivers services that are an alternative to youth incarceration and out-of-home placement. The YAP Advocate Wraparound Service model provides intensive one-to-one mentoring by professional, primarily neighborhood-based staff. YAP Advocate mentors empower young people with tools to identify and realize their strengths. At the same time, they support the family foundation by connecting parents/guardians with accessible resources to reinforce their foundation.
The YAP National Directors event featured 5 YAPTalks led by directors of local programs that have evolved from the YAP Wraparound Service model. The speakers included YAP Chicago Choose to Change Program (where YAP partners with Children’s Home & Aid and the University of Chicago Crime Lab) Director Chris Sutton; YAP (Penn North) Baltimore Safe Streets Director Dennis Wise; YAP New York State Regional Director Dana LaCoss; Nevada YAP Program Director Nyeri Richards; and YAP Credible Messenger and Young Men Emerging (adult re-entry services) Program Leader Charles Bentil.
See each YAPTalk on TheNeighborhoodAdvocate.org.