Who We Are
Youth Action Project’s (YAP) Vision is to empower communities one youth at a time. The Mission is to assist youth and young adults in the development of the skills and habits needed to experience economic and social success. YAP began as a youth-driven project in 1998 allowing young adults to identify and address issues that matter to young people. YAP incorporated in 2003 and received its 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status in 2006. In 2007 YAP partnered with the San Bernardino City Unified School District and Loma Linda University to obtain AmeriCorps resources in communities’ throughout the San Bernardino area. Since 2007, YAP has hired and trained more than 200 local college students, provided over 90,000 work experience and community service hours; and provided tutoring and mentoring to over 1,000 high school students within the San Bernardino Unified School District. YAP has three primary service components designed to meet youth “where they are:” youth development, academic enhancement, economic and community development.
Our work is intended to bring positive change by helping local youth graduate from high school, complete college or vocational training, develop work skills, and make responsible choices. In other words, we want to prevent problems before they occur.
Youth Development: youth develop knowledge, skills and abilities in two-core areas: 1. Young Leaders focuses on teaching youth what they need to know and do to develop a sense of responsibility and direction: personal responsibility, civic involvement, and community service. 2. Get Connected focuses on teaching youth what they need to know and do to establish positive social relationships including: adult relationships, peer relationships, interpersonal skills, sense of self, networking skills.
Academic Enhancement: youth develop knowledge, skills and abilities in one core area.
Young Scholars focuses on teaching youth what they need to know and do to successfully graduate high school, transition to higher education and/or the workplace, and to adulthood. Youth are connected to positive adult role models who provide mentoring, academic coaching, homework assistance, test taking strategies, and life skills such as goal setting and time management.
Community and Economic Development: youth develop knowledge, skills and abilities in two core areas: 1. Young Workers focuses on teaching youth what they need to know to be successful in the workplace including: Career awareness and direction, job search, work readiness. 2. Thriving and surviving focuses on teaching youth techniques to maintain physical and emotional well-being.
