Happy Thanksgiving from Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc.

Dear Friends,

At Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., we are gearing up for Giving Tuesday! Founded in 1975, YAP is now in 35 states and Washington, D.C. with global partnerships in Australia, Guatemala, Ireland, and Sierra Leone. YAP’s mission is to deliver and advocate for safe and effective community-based alternatives to residential care and incarceration that empower individuals, families, and neighborhoods to thrive.

We serve young people and their parents, guardians, and other family members through our partnerships with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, school districts and other systems. Our unique holistic community based YAPWrap service model is centered in cultural and linguistic responsiveness. Neighborhood-based YAP Advocates and mobile behavioral health professionals meet youth and families where they are, empowering them to see and nurture their strengths, and connecting them with tools -- including basic-needs resources -- to put their lives on a positive path. Adding to YAP’s growth, cities across the U.S. are now combining our evidence based YAPWrap model with community violence intervention approaches as part of their public safety strategies.

As we gear up for #GivingTuesday, let's remember that investing in youth, families, and neighborhoods is an investment in a brighter future. To YAP, #GivingTuesday means providing the tools, support, and opportunities our program participants need to thrive. Together, we can change lives and shape a better world for the generations to come. See the news below and stay tuned for #GivingTuesday stories. Get ahead of the game and go to: YAP Giving Tuesday

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and loved ones and thank you for your continued support!

Gary Ivory

President and CEO

Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Finds YAP Startups to be ‘Extremely Successful’ in Serving Youth with Felony Offenses

A Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University report found six community-based alternative-to-youth-incarceration and aftercare start-up programs were “extremely successful in serving youth and families, including those who may have had challenges engaging in other programs or services in the past.” CJJR’s report was a collaboration with YAP, which launched the start-ups in 2019 and 2020 in partnership with juvenile justice and child welfare systems in Yavapai County, Arizona; Alameda County, California; Fulton County, Georgia; Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; Hamilton County, Ohio; and Illinois. CJJR researchers interviewed three dozen participants, staff, and systems administrators who were a part of the start-up programs. Responses consistently reflected that YAP Advocates understand the distinct challenges that participants and their families face; that program services are intensive, individualized, and strength-focused; that services are delivered in collaboration with youths’ families -- even beyond business hours; and that YAP equips families and youth with skills and resources critical to position young people for success and keep them safely at home. Most youth referred to YAP by the six systems partners were on probation; had been adjudicated for or charged with felony offenses; and had been placed in a facility at least once, many having experienced multiple placements. Participants were mostly males with youth of color representing the largest percentage in each site – ranging from 50-100%.

YAP’s Making Social Change Happen Awards Celebrated People Putting their Lives on a Positive Path

YAP President & CEO Gary Ivory with Maryland Dept. of Juvenile services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi

Maryland Dept. of Human Services Secretary

Rafael López

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent N. Schiraldi and Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López joined Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. to honor youth and adults making positive change. Schiraldi and López were among those recognized by YAP at its Washington, D.C.-Maryland region Oct. 13 YAP’s Making Social Change Happen Awards at Baltimore’s Reginald F. Lewis Museum. The program honored current and former justice-involved youth and adults, and other YAP program participants identified as at the highest risk for engaging in violence and those empowering them with tools to make positive change.

Here are some highlights from the afternoon’s celebration.

YAP in the News

Check out some of the recent news stories about YAP’s people and programs.

Photo: The Scranton Times-Tribune

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Learn More/We Appreciate Your Generous Support!

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