Scholarships support program participants and their families with school and job training

Harrisburg, Pa.- Twenty-eight former Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc. participants and family members received Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education Scholarships in 2022. Named for the national nonprofit’s late founder, the $1,000 YAP scholarships are applied to school tuition, fees or supplies, job training costs, or in the form of a laptop computer. Based on need, the one-year scholarships can be renewed annually.

YAP is a national nonprofit that provides community-based services in 33 states and the District of Columbia as an alternative to youth incarceration, congregate residential care, and neighborhood violence. Scholarship recipients are young people and family members who have received YAP's trauma-informed wraparound and/or behavioral health services. 

“I want to personally congratulate the scholarship recipients for pushing through adversity and striving to complete their dream whether it’s to pursue their education or employment,” said Patty Rosati, YAP’s Chief Impact Officer and President of the Tom Jeffers Endowment for Continuing Education. “The Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund is an extremely integral part of furthering YAP’s mission while supporting our communities, honoring our beloved founder Tom Jeffers; and it reflects the generosity of our employees who voluntarily donate to the endowment fund. “

Last year, YAP awarded $32,000 in scholarships, with 17 awardees choosing to use theirs for tuitions/fees, 10 recipients opting for laptop purchases and one requesting that their scholarship be applied to supplies, Rosati said.

Established by YAP founder Tom Jeffers, before his death, the scholarship endowment fund continues primarily through weekly donations by staff through payroll deductions. Annually, employees give over $15,000 to the endowment fund.

YAP Advocates, behavioral health staff, and other frontline employees invite current and former program participants and their families to apply for scholarships as they pursue their educational and career goals. 

Below are some excerpts from the application essays of our 2022 award recipients:

“My probation officer told me about a program called YAP that could potentially help to steer me in the right direction. I decided to join. After becoming involved in the program, I soon realized the benefits were overflowing with deliciousness. Deliciousness to my soul and overall well-being.” – Chloe.

“One day, I hope to have my own business and compete in different baking competitions. Being awarded this scholarship is a blessing, to me and my family in helping me achieve my dream of becoming a pastry chef.” – Mackenzie.

“(My Advocate) showed me love and compassion. She pushed me to go to school and reminded me how smart I was, who I was as a person, and who I wanted to be. She helped me remember why school and life was so important to me all along. She gave me structure and guidance when I needed it because I didn’t have it at home.”  - Angel.

“I am doing college online and having this laptop means a lot. YAP is a great program. If there are any problems, they come and help get you out of that environment.”- Alexis.

For more information about the Tom Jeffers Endowment Fund for Continuing Education Scholarships or YAP, visit yapinc.org.