05/14/2026
Sa’Bree still remembers the call. He was on his way home from school when Ms. Emily, a former YSRP attorney, reached out.
“She said she could help.”
At the time, everything was uncertain. Sa’Bree had never been involved in the criminal legal system. He was an honor roll student, working at Acme, and caring for his mother as she battled cancer. But life had dealt him more than most young people should have to carry. He had lost three siblings to gun violence in just fourteen months, and the weight of that grief took its toll.
When Sa’Bree came into contact with the system at 16, he was navigating trauma, loss, and depression, much like many young people we work with. Through YSRP’s advocacy, in partnership with his attorney, his case was ultimately decertified and moved out of the adult system.
That moment changed everything.
Given the chance to move forward, Sa’Bree did. He returned to school, graduated from Overbrook High, and went on to attend Kutztown University. Today, he is working full-time in a management training program at Acme, continuing to support his family and build a stable future.
This year, Sa’Bree was honored as one of YSRP’s first graduates at our 2026 Montgomery Celebration, a reflection of the hard work he has put in and the path he is building for himself.
Stories like Sa’Bree’s remind us what is possible when young people are met with support instead of punishment. With the right resources and opportunities, they do more than move forward. They thrive.
As part of our spring campaign, we are raising $10,000 for our Client-Partner Fund, which provides direct support to young people as they return home and build stability. If you are able, we invite you to make a gift and help create more stories like Sa’Bree’s.
https://givebutter.com/together-we-build-whats-possible-copy-onn5fu
