Youth Action Project Inc

Youth Action Project Inc (YAP) is a nonprofit organization based in San Bernardino, California, dedicated to empowering youth and young adults by providing transformative experiences, professional development training, career coaching, academic support, mentoring, and youth development programs. Established in 1998, YAP’s mission centers on connecting young people to opportunities that foster economic and social success, aiming to help youth develop the skills and habits needed to succeed in education, career, and community life.

History and Mission

Youth Action Project began as a youth-driven initiative that enabled young people to identify the key issues affecting them and to create actionable plans addressing those concerns. Since its inception, YAP has grown into a comprehensive organization focused on fostering academic excellence, youth leadership, and economic development. The organization’s overarching mission is to empower communities by focusing on empowering one youth at a time, helping them to graduate high school, enter post-secondary education, and pursue meaningful employment or entrepreneurship by age 25.

Programs and Services

YAP operates three primary service components designed to meet youth “where they are”:

• Young Scholars: This program emphasizes academic enhancement, aiming for students to achieve grade-appropriate reading and math competencies, thereby promoting academic excellence.
• Young Leaders Inc: Focuses on youth development, nurturing leadership skills and positive peer influence.
• Young Workers: Dedicated to economic and community development, this program helps youth develop career awareness through career pathway planning informed by labor market information, practical career exploration, and professional readiness.

In addition, YAP offers mentoring services through its participation in the Inland Action Mentoring Collaborative (IAMC), which targets youth impacted by opioids and drug addiction in the Inland Empire region—specifically within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. These services utilize a whole-student approach addressing individual and community-level risk factors, including academic support, career guidance, and positive youth development.

Impact and Recognition

With over two decades of experience, Youth Action Project has served thousands of opportunity youth in the Inland Empire area, supporting them in overcoming barriers to academic and economic success. The organization has received substantial grant funding, including multi-million-dollar federal grants to expand its mentoring programs and prevention services for youth affected by opioid use.

YAP’s board and leadership emphasize inclusivity and racial equity, engaging staff and board members in ongoing reflection and adaptability to foster an organizational culture that supports equity and community representation.

Governance

Youth Action Project is governed by a board of directors composed of professionals from diverse sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, and human resources. The board actively conducts formal self-assessments and strives for inclusive leadership and community engagement in its governance practices.

This brief overview captures Youth Action Project’s role in empowering youth within California’s Inland Empire through education, mentoring, and career development programs aimed at fostering long-term social and economic success.

EIN: 42-1574359