YAP(Youth Advocate Programs, Inc)

While looking for a job recently,  I sent my resume to YAP, which is short for  Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.  At this particular time in my life I didn't think it would be a good fit, but perhaps in the future I will be more open to it. 

But today as I was trying to figure out a positive topic that we all could agree upon I decided to look up their website which is here(http://yapinc.org/) and share what they do. Here is the description of what they do from their own website.

"Since 1975, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) has offered effective and cost-efficient alternatives to the incarceration or other institutional placement of young people. YAP's programs, which are offered in juveniles' own communities, are family-focused and strength based. "

When we are kids and traumatized we don't make the best decisions for our lives and the ramifications of a bad decision can shape the rest of our lives.  I am so inspired by the idea that this program offers alternatives to the incarceration of a young person that just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Everybody deserves a chance to rehabilitate themselves and heal themselves, especially at a time when that chance can mean the difference between success and failure.

They work with the kids and their families and give them a window into their capabilities and strengths which is also important to a young person.   They provide child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems with cost-effective alternatives to residential, correctional and other out-of-home placements. The most positive part of what they provide is that a significant percentage of clients served are those who have been rejected by other service providers, so they are giving these kids and their families a second chance which they might not have had under different circumstances.  They are making a difference to a child, to a community and to the world that child may serve in the future.

They are located in many different states and need workers and donations so please read about their services at their website and applaud the good work they are doing by sending a donation.  Thanks for reading.