Youth Advocacy Project

The mission of the Youth Advocacy Project (YAP) is to protect and advance the legal and human rights of children and to promote their healthy development through active partnerships with the community. Services include legal representation, legal consultation, advocacy, psychological assessment, social service needs assessment, service planning/sentencing advocacy, referrals to community services and case management.

YAP's mission is based on two core beliefs: children, like adults, have human and legal rights. At the same time, children are different from adults. Physically, cognitively, emotionally, and psychologically they are works in progress - they require stability and protection to develop their capacities for intelligence, productivity, and empathy.