Welcome to a virtual photo exhibit featuring Chemung County, NY Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.’s program participants, families and staff. Partnering with social services, Chemung County YAP works with youth who are at risk of being in out-of-home placement and helps reunify others when they return home.
“The photos show how we’re promoting social distancing, leading by example in our own community — and even through the pandemic — still delivering services,” said Gloria, Chemung County YAP assistant director.
YAP Advocates help young people identify their gifts and talents and connect them to tools to positively pursue their goals. The Advocates, who are mostly neighborhood-based, also empower program participants’ parents and guardians with individualized tools they need to firm their foundation. They do this by meeting youth and families where they are. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, services are now almost exclusively virtual. The photo challenge became a tool everyone could creatively customize.
“We’re most successful when we’re engaging youth and families in activities. Our biggest challenge with video teleconferencing was finding ways to keep everyone engaged,” said Caitlin, Chemung County YAP program director. “This photo challenge gave everyone something fun to do while teaching the importance of social responsibility through social distancing. I’m amazed and proud of my team.”
The Chemung YAP team gathered the photos over the past several weeks.
“They show our dedication to our community’s health efforts.,” Gloria said. “With the help of our program participants, their families and ours, we demonstrated the importance of leading by example.”