Washington, DC. (June 19, 2018) – If you have 15 minutes and a job or a business, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), invites you to a unique career day to talk about your job with area youth who have made a commitment to stay out of trouble and give back to their communities. YAP, a data-proven alternative for youth and vulnerable adults who would otherwise be in prison or other out-of-home placements, will host its first YAPWorx career day, 10 am – 6 pm, Tue., July 10, at the DC-YAP Program Office, 1140 3rd Street NE, suite 2141.

“Working closely with their YAPWorx opportunity advisors, 40 YAP youth have prepared six questions each to ask employees and entrepreneurs. They’ll want to know what you do at work, how you got your job, and what being employed in that capacity means to you and your family,” said YAP Maryland and DC Regional Director Craig Jernigan. “This is an important confidence builder for YAP youth and special role model volunteer opportunity for people who want to do what they can to make our communities stronger.”

Since 1975, YAP has proven to be a successful alternative to prison or other out-of-home placement for DC and Maryland-area youth and vulnerable adults each year. A John Jay Research and Evaluation Center study found that 86 percent of justice-involved youth remained arrest free while enrolled in YAP and 96 percent remained out of detention six to 12 months after leaving the program. With a policy of never turning away or kicking anyone out of its programs, YAP often supports individuals who have nowhere else to go. 

YAP partners with area juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, intellectual and developmental disability/autism, public health, educational, substance abuse, workforce development and other local agencies. The career day event is a partnership with the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

While connecting youth and adults facing adversity, and their parents and families with resources or personalized toolkits to restructure and reinforce their foundations, YAP helps these individuals identify their own gifts and skills and ways to give back to their communities.

“By stopping by any time during the YAPWorx career day and volunteering for just 15 minutes, you will help our young people begin to understand the skills needed to perform a range of job functions, from entry level to executive or entrepreneurial positions,” Jernigan said. “It’s just the kind of boost our kids need as they look for summer jobs.”

George McBride, who launched Dear Emery eyewear after serving 10 years in prison, looks forward to meeting YAP youth at the July 10 DC YAPWorx career day