Charlotte NC/Mecklenburg County Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

09/21/2026

Today is International Peace Day and we’re highlighting our global partner - Life Without Barriers in Australia. The YAP global community is dedicated to creating safe communities, peacebuilding with peers, family, neighbors, and themselves as they cultivate resilience, develop youth leaders, and live in communities where they can thrive.

On June 26, the Life Without Barriers YAP Teams from Logan and the Gold Coast participated in the annual Queensland Police Youth Co-Responder Touch Football Tournament. The day provided an opportunity for young people to build connections, develop confidence, and engage positively with their peers and community partners in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The event highlighted the importance of creating opportunities where young people can feel empowered, valued and confident to achieve outcomes they may once have thought were beyond their reach.

YAP is a national nonprofit that partners with youth justice, child welfare, and other systems in communities across the U.S., to deliver family-centered, accountability-focused services as an alternative to correctional and residential care facilities. In addition to Australia, YAP has an International footprint in YAP Ireland, Sierra Leone Youth Advocate Program SLYAP and Siembra Bien. For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org.

International - Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

09/18/2026

Check out this video from Delaware Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. featuring Program Director Omar Douglas.

YAP's mission is to deliver and advocate for safe and effective community-based alternatives to residential care and incarceration that empower individuals, families, and neighborhoods to thrive. More information on YAP can be found at yapinc.org.

09/18/2026

Good News Friday ☀️ YAP’s Alternatives to Violence teams attended the 2026 Community Violence Intervention Conference in Los Angeles in July. The conference brings together national and international experts in the field of community violence intervention to share best practices, strategies and goals. YAP ATV is a partnership with the City of Charlotte Government and Mecklenburg County Government serving individuals ages 14-25 identified as most at risk of violence engagement. Photographed are YAP ATV Program Manager Donnell Gardner, ATV West Boulevard Sit Supervisor Anthony Davis, Executive Assistant Tonia Faison and Beatties Ford Road Violence Interrupter Antwan Cousar.
GIFFORDS
Charlotte NC/Mecklenburg County Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

09/17/2026

YAP Lebanon County, Pa. - Daniella Builds Resilience and Sets Career Goals, Empowered by Youth Advocate Programs Donors
https://loom.ly/bwSiMPI

09/16/2026

Former YAP® Baltimore Program Participant Khalil Shares His Story During Youth Justice Summit
https://loom.ly/lPXEzzM
Center for Youth Justice, Georgetown University
McCourt School of Public Policy - Georgetown University

09/15/2026

09/12/2026

Orange County, NY - Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. - State funding boosts youth programs, community groups
https://loom.ly/kENKFnc

YAP Project (Reinvest, Inspire, Support and Empower) is a community-based program funded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services that works to empower youth ages 14-25 who are involved in the justice system—or at risk of becoming involved—by helping them build brighter, more hopeful futures.

City of Newburgh
Mid Hudson Times
Governor Kathy Hochul

Newburgh is set to receive state funding for the fourth year in a row to support several community organizations that provide youth services and programs. The City of Newburgh is receiving $2 …

09/11/2026

Good News Friday ☀️- YAP St. Lawrence County, NY participated in a Roadside Cleanup event on July 9. In doing their part to give back to the community, program participants and their Advocates picked up trash on roadsides. YAP St. Lawrence County, NY has both youth justice and child welfare programs. YAP is a national nonprofit that partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, education, public safety, and other systems to deliver community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, residential care, and neighborhood violence. For more info YAP, visit yapinc.org.

09/11/2026

09/09/2026

08/05/2026

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. Alternatives to Violence teams operate at Beatties Ford Road and West Boulevard in partnership with the City of Charlotte Government and Mecklenburg County Government.

Check out this video by City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services.

Alternatives to Violence (ATV) is working to prevent violence and s...

06/27/2026

**DUE TO TODAY'S THUNDERSTORMS, TONIGHT'S YAP ATV SNEAKER BALL IS CANCELED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE. **

06/16/2026

Former YAP Mecklenburg County Youth Justice Program Director Hope Knuckles, who is currently the Program Director of Baltimore MD, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. - GVRS, and program participant Mark at the “I Love Me, Say No to Drugs,” showcase now on display at The Mint Museum in Charlotte through Aug. 25. The exhibit is hosted by Our Daily Bread Foundation through a partnership with Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and features the work of four young artists using photography, journaling, storytelling, creative expression and more.

For more info on Our Daily Bread, visit ourdailybreadfoundation.org and for more info on YAP, visit yapinc.org.

06/03/2026

It's National Gun Violence Awareness Month! 🧡

Throughout the month, we're joining advocates, partners, gun violence survivors, and communities across North Carolina to raise awareness about preventable gun violence and support safer communities for everyone.

Will you join us? Wear orange at events, meetings, and in your everyday life to show your support. Share your photos, tag NCGV so we can reshare them, and help spark conversations that inspire action.

Every voice matters. Together, we can build a stronger movement for safer communities across our state.

05/28/2026

****RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER - YAP's Alternatives to Violence Beatties Road and West Boulevard teams present: Sneaker Ball 2026 from 6-10 p.m. on June 27. Details in flyer.

YAP ATV is a partnership with Mecklenburg County Government and City of Charlotte Government using Cure Violence methods.
https://www.yapinc.org/CharlotteATV

**Please note this event is INVITE ONLY.**

05/13/2026

Come support student creativity!🎨📸

We invite you to join us as we celebrate our students' art exhibition, "I Love Me, Say No to Drugs," showcasing substance use prevention through creative expression and trauma-healing.

When: Friday, May 29th from 5:30-8:30 PM
Where: The Mint Museum Uptown
Admission is free and light bites will be provided.

RSVP here: ilovemeartexhibition.eventbrite.com