Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) is a high-impact social justice nonprofit that provides community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, congregate placements, and neighborhood violence. Their mission is to promote divesting in facilities and investing in communities, creating continuums of care that cater to each individual's needs. YAP offers a range of services through their YAPWrap model, providing intensive support to young people, adults, and their families right in their own communities.

Their approach is family-focused, recognizing that the family plays a crucial role in a young person's life. The impact of YAP's work is supported by a growing research base, showing that they make a positive difference in the lives of young people and families, as well as within the systems that support them. With 100% of their programming taking place in the home communities of the individuals they serve, YAP has a wide footprint, serving families in urban, suburban, and rural communities across multiple states and the District of Columbia.

To learn more about YAP's impact and engage with their work, you can visit their blog, The Neighborhood Advocate, which features stories about families, advocates, and program practitioners who are at the forefront of the youth justice, child welfare, and social services system reform movements. Additionally, you can explore their pressroom for newsletters, press releases, videos, and more. YAP's dedication to their cause is evident in the testimonials and quotes from those who have experienced their support firsthand.

District Judge Marshall County, AL, describes YAP as the county's greatest and best asset for redirecting and changing the lives of juveniles and their families. YAP participants express gratitude for the organization's help in getting them out of facilities and back home, making their goals more attainable. YAP practitioners highlight the organization's wraparound approach, working not just with the young person but also with their entire family, schools, and neighborhoods.

At YAP, equal employment and program opportunities are a priority. They provide a work/program environment free from discrimination and harassment, respecting individuals' qualifications and characteristics without regard to race, age, gender identity, disability, or any other protected status. Overall, Youth Advocate Programs is dedicated to strengthening communities and transforming lives, one biography at a time