JUVENILE JUSTICE
At Risk Youth Find Potential In Culinary Course
Thanks to a partnership with a local hospital, YAP's program in Lebanon County PA was able to offer a culinary course to youth involved in the juvenile justice system.  The 6-week course culminated in a multi-course dinner prepared by the youth for family and friends of YAP.  

Led by the Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital's Executive Chef, Trevor Sipe, the course taught basic cooking skills to youth.  Wellspan also provided the youth with their own chef jackets and hats.          


LGBTQ Youth and the Juvenile Justice System
A new report from Movement Advancement Project, Youth First Initiative and Center for American Progress details over-representation, bias against, and abuse of LGBTQ youth in the juvenile justice system.
GIVING BACK ON EARTH DAY
Youth, families and staff from YAP's program in Brazos County TX honored Earth Day by picking up trash in the block around their program office. Together they were able to collect 10 bags of trash and learn a little about Earth day and social responsibilities.  

100 MEN READ IN YORK, PA
York County (PA) Program Director Bob Witt and Assistant Director Joe Studivant participated in the York City 100 Men Read Event.  They joined a group of men representing all walks of life who converged on the public, charter and private schools throughout York City to read to students. 

CHILD WELFARE
Shelby Update:  Youth from YAP's Safely Home Film
Shelby, one of the youth featured in YAP's Safely Home film, recently visited her former YAP staff in New York. Now 22 years old, she is employed by an assisted living organization and is doing very well there.  She is also a licensed EMT and phlebotomist. 

Shelby has been in a long-term relationship with her fiance for nearly 5 years. About one year ago, they moved from New York to North Carolina. Another exciting reason for her visit was to introduce her beautiful baby boy, Pure King Gary, born in 2016! 

Shelby is working towards earning her bachelor's degree and will finish by 2018. She recently visited friends and family in NY including her grandmother Bonnie, who has been a huge support throughout her life. She also made time for her YAP family, which we always appreciate.

We would like to thank Shelby for taking the time during her travels to catch up with us. She has been an inspiration not only to the families we serve, but to our staff and colleagues as well. We wish Shelby all the best and continued success in the future!

Supporting NJ Fathers and Families
YAP programs throughout New Jersey provide a coordinated array of services as part of the Fatherhood Healthy Relationships Initiative, which operates under the state's Fathers Matter campaign.  The team recently developed videos to spread the word about their services.  Check out the short PSA as well as testimonials from fathers who have participated in the program.  

Where We Work
YAP serves over 13,000 families a year in more than 100 programs across 22 states and the District of Columbia in rural, suburban and urban areas.  

We recently opened two programs in Kentucky, in Lexington and Louisville.
EDUCATION
Scholarship Winner
"I would rather make a difference in the world than simply make money. For when I'm gone the money I make will not come with me, but the lives I've touched will live long after me."

These wise words are spoken by our newest scholarship recipient, Genesis, pictured here with her mother and YAP program leaders from Harris County, TX. Congrats, Genesis!

Read more about Genesis' story and other award winners of the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education on our website.  

YAP STAFF WINS 2ND PLACE IN WRITING CONTEST
Adams County (PA) Licensed Behavior Specialist Abigail W. James, MA, has recently demonstrated that working with children on the autism spectrum is not her only professional skill.  Abbie was just awarded second place in the 2017 Central PA Magazine Writing Contest jointly sponsored by WITF and York College.  Abbie's story, Salt and Pepper, was selected for this honor based on a review by a team of distinguished judges of 145 qualifying entries.  Salt and Pepper is a beautifully written short story about aging and inter-generational supports. Congratulations Abbie!

BALDWIN COUNTY AL YAP ON THE AIRWAVES
Program Director Denise Simms and Regional Director Tim Thrasher had an opportunity to share the YAP mission and services on a radio broadcast in Camden, AL with DJ Coach Moulton.

Way to go Tim and Denise for thinking outside of the box with how you reach the surrounding communities!
AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Allegheny Youth Lands Volunteer Job at Hospital
Michael participates in our YAP program in Allegheny County, PA and secured a volunteer position at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC with the help of his Advocate.  He was featured on the hospital's Facebook page during Volunteer Month.  

Avenues of Opportunity for People with Disabilities
We love this story about a North Carolina coffee shop that is building bridges in the Wilmington community by employing 40 individuals with disabilities.  Owner Amy Wright observes, "It's more than a cup of coffee.  It's a human rights movement; the coffee shop is just a vehicle for making that happen.  It's given our employees the respect that they deserve."

TOM GREEN, TX YOUTH GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY CRIME STOPPERS
"I just hope that they realize that no matter how little you are or where you come from there's always something you can do to give back to  people.  No matter what the amount, whether it is $1 or $100, it's gonna help."     WATCH VIDEO
 
VICTORIA, TX STAFF RECRUIT ADVOCATES
YAP staff attend a job fair at Victoria College, looking to recruit advocates to work with youth and families in their own neighborhoods.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Maricopa County (AZ) YAP Receives Compliance Achievement Award
In February, YAP's program in Arizona was recognized by Mercy Maricopa, their regional behavioral health authority.  They had 100% compliance for all reporting quarters in 2016!  

Congratulations to Program Director Nicole Sivesind and her team for making sure staff are taking online courses and meeting state and program requirements.  

YAP Film:  Safely Home
"Safely Home" showcases the power of the YAP model across diverse geographies and demographics by sharing the stories of youth and staff in three different YAP locations:  urban Chicago, Orange County, NY, and rural Louisiana.    

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
YAPWORX - Thrival Corps Graduation
On Thursday, May 4, 2017, York County (PA) YAP hosted its second YAPWORX-Thrival Corps Graduation.  Ten youth, ages 14-18, completed the twelve (12) week job readiness/career exploration module and gave presentations on the valuable workforce information they obtained. 

A third cohort began on June 12, 2017.  The York YAP leadership team will be delivering a presentation on YAPWORX-Thrival Corps to York County Juvenile Probation as part of a coordinated community response to youth unemployment and youth violence.

NJ ADVOCATE RETIRES AFTER 30+ YEARS WITH YAP
NJ Leaders gathered in May to honor Frances Blackwell as she retired after 30 years of service to her youth and families at YAP!  Frances' relentless community outreach helped hundreds of youth and families with her loving, caring, effective approach. So many of the young people she brought into her life are now leading successful lives as leaders in their community.   

YAP TEAM MEETS WITH BALTIMORE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT
YAP Staff met with the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development to sign up YAPWORX OpportunIty Advisors, giving our youth a direct connection to Baltimore's vast workforce resources.    

POLICY & ADVOCACY
Cuts to Medicaid Will Decimate Community Based Alternatives to Incarceration
This blog post by Marcy Mistrett, CEO of Campaign for Youth Justice discusses how the proposed American Health Care Act may affect youth in the justice system.

Your Vote is Your Voice
Youth First recently published an Electoral Advocacy Toolkit designed to provide you with the information you need to engage in the political process; to make sure those seeking political power in your state understand the issues facing youth involved in the juvenile justice system and stand ready to work with young people and families if elected.

Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017
YAP is proud to have worked with the National Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Coalition to produce supporting documents for this bill, which enhances opportunities for vulnerable youth and improves our juvenile justice system. Consider calling your senators and asking them to vote yes on bill S.1809.  On social media, you can follow #jjdpamatters and participate in Twitter Tuesdays.
JOHNSON COUNTY (IN) TRAINING
YAP was invited by Johnson County (IN) Juvenile Probation to provide training on our model. YAP Orange County, NY Director Jason Wilson spent 4 days with the local team, sharing information about our service delivery approach. 

Our thanks to Johnson County for their warm hospitality and supportive, strengths-based approach to working with kids and families. 
PAINT AND SIP FUNDRAISER
YAP's Morris Sussex (NJ) office hosted a Paint & Sip fundraiser, which generated $300 for the local YAP program. The funds will be used to purchase  therapeutic games for the outpatient clinic, gift cards for youth/families, and to help host a much needed staff appreciation event!  

INTERNATIONAL
Polish Magazine Highlights YAP's Model
YAP was featured in an article in the Polish magazine "O."  The publication is a local Warsaw magazine for children's and family services staff.  

Sweden Youth Featured in TV Interview
If you were ever curious about how YAP translates across continents, here's a quick look at the Swedish implementation.  The interview is in Swedish, so you may understand little more than "Youth Advocate Programs," but you will recognize the same unconditional caring shine through that YAP US staff show every day.