Youth Advocate Program

About Us

Youth Advocate Programs(YAP) believes we all need access to safe places and positive connections in our communities to fully develop our strengths and realize our potential. For many individuals and families, these fundamental building blocks of healthy development are unavailable, obstructed or difficult to access.

For more than four decades, YAP has built bridges between families and communities, opening access to critical tools like mentoring; social connections; medical and mental health services; education and vocational services; and other resources individuals need for positive development.

YAP’s work is built on a foundation of research demonstrating that people do better throughout life when they have support where they live, work, learn and play. YAP Advocates are from the neighborhoods we serve and available when and where young people and families prefer to meet.

Having access to positive relationships, spaces, activities and services empowers individuals and families to maximize their potential, which creates healthy and vibrant communities.

Mission

Our mission is to provide individuals who are, have been or may be subject to compulsory care with the opportunity to develop, contribute and be valued as assets so that communities have safe, proven effective and economical alternatives to institutional placement.