The voice of a 15-year-old Guatemala girl underscores the importance of #YAPGuatemalaLove, a fundraising campaign launched recently by Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. YAP’s goal with the campaign is to increase funding support for its Guatemala sister agency, Siembra Bien, to tackle hardships that lead families in Guatemala to seek U.S. asylum.Providing safe, community-based alternatives to youth incarceration and other out-of-home placements, YAP supports and empowers individuals and ...

by Leah VuichAshlee Freed, a young woman from Mercer, PA, recently received a scholarship through the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund to help pay for educational expenses. YAP Program Coordinator Leah Vuich, describes Ashlee as, “enthusiastic, outgoing, and having a driven personality.” Ashlee recently started online classes to receive a Pet Grooming Certification through the Penn Foster Accredited Education Program.  This online program allows flexibility for her to continue complet...

by Brittany HiltonTexas Roadhouse in Palmyra, PA is very supportive of Lebanon YAP’s Workforce Development program. The popular steakhouse currently employs two staff members who receive support from YAP job coaches. Brian Johnson, the franchise owner, interviewed Samantha for a hostess position and hired her right on the spot. Samantha was so delighted to be hired on at Texas Roadhouse; especially as she had recently applied for many jobs and interviewed at more than five businesses with ...

Washington, DC Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. is making headlines for a new program that adapts the YAP neighborhood-based youth Advocate-mentor model to empower justice-involved adults ages 18-35 with work and life tools.DC YAP Advocate-mentors serving as Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Credible Messengers are helping men who have either returned home after serving time in prison or were recently arrested for violent crimes. Like the men they serve, most of the YAP Credi...

The Lebanon PA Workforce Development program has been growing steadily for approximately 2 years. This program focuses on finding competitive employment suited to the interests and skills of each job seeker. The Lebanon program currently supports 20 people who are in various stages of finding and keeping employment. This program is coordinated by Employment Specialist, Brittany Hilton, and Multi Program Specialist, Angela Byerley.  Oversight and direction are provided by YAP’s Nationa...