NYAP Inc. to Boost Volunteer Efforts for Youth and Families

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) January 29, 2014

One of the many ways in which National Youth Advocate Program advocates for families and youth continues to be highlighted every January, since 2002, when President George W. Bush endorsed National Mentoring Month.

Currently, NYAP runs a mentor-based volunteer program that brings together mentors with parents involved in the child welfare system with great success. The program has already served hundreds of young people and their families across several states by providing guidance and support during crisis periods; by helping parents improve parenting and life skills and by creating more stable home environments in communities they serve. “This program is a unique approach to mentoring in that mentors are paired with the parent rather than the child. We are very proud of the life changing impact these relationships have had on both the parents and the mentors involved,” said Executive Director in South Carolina Cathy Milless.

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ), in their 2013 annual report, described their strategy, “to expand volunteerism system-wide”. “National Youth Advocate Program also harnesses the power of volunteers as mentors for youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system, as one element of their CANEI (Constant and Never ending Improvement) Program,” said Milless. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to support SCDJJ’s strategy to expand volunteerism with the goal of redirecting the lives of troubled youth.”

“The importance of volunteers in the juvenile justice system in South Carolina cannot be overstated,” said NYAP CEO, Marvena Twigg. “Both Juvenile Justice and Social Services rely on volunteers to offer support and representation to youth throughout the state.”

“There are approximately 1.1 million children in South Carolina. It is our goal that each child grows up in the safety of a thriving family. We believe that with meaningful collaboration, we can unite for and with families. Together we can overcome individual, economic and social barriers to success, and accomplish positive, permanent and enduring change,” said Milless.

National Youth Advocate Program, a non profit 501 c (3) organization was founded in 1978 by Dr. Mubarak Awad, and since that time has worked with youth and families across Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Our services include Managed Care, Counseling, Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Assessment, Home-Based Services for youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system, Positive Adolescent Sexuality programs, Mentoring, Parent Advocacy, Shelter Care, Treatment Foster Care, Independent Living, Respite Care and more. For more information please visit http://www.nyap.org or contact us on 843-276-8064.

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