Information on YAAT SCHOLARSHIPS

Click below to see

video highlights of Judge Mathis

Self Empowerment Expo

REAL MEDIA VERSION

“Promoting positive youth development;

Creating safer communities;

Strengthening families and the future.”

OVERVIEW
Young Adults Asserting Themselves, Inc. (Y.A.A.T.) is a Detroit- based non-profit 501c3 agency, dedicated to promoting positive youth development, creating safer communities and strengthening families. Founded in 1986 by community activist and media personality, Judge Greg Mathis, Y.A.A.T. provides programs and services that address social problems and community challenges.

To further meet the needs of individuals and families who, despite challenging situations, strive to become empowered; the Judge Mathis Foundation is inspired by the belief that the development of character and responsible attitudes ad behavior in our youth, young adults and families can enhance individuals self-esteem and reaffirm their dignity and worth.

To this end, The Judge Mathis Foundation, in its continous efforts to serve as a liaison with community churches, social, business and other organizations, have reached out to develop and coordinate programs to address the various issues facing or youth and the family and to better serve our community.

Issues tackled by Y.A.A.T. and The Judge Mathis Foundation include:

· Unemployment	· Access to equal justice
· Crime	· Substance abuse
· Anger and conflict management	· Teenage pregnancy
· Access to better education	· Single parenthood
· Overcoming poverty to realize economic freedom

Through program development and implementation, Y.A.A.T. provides needed support to enhance self-esteem missing from the lives of many of our young people. Y.A.A.T. understands that among other things, it is this support and self-esteem that is needed to help young adults in particular, rise above social adversity to realize their potential to succeed.

PROGRAMS
Since its inception, Y.A.A.T. has benefited over 20,000 young people through:
~ Personal and Career Development Workshops
~ Crime and Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse Prevention Campaigns and Counseling
~ G.E.D. and Job Referral Services

Over 5,000 of these young people have been documented as successfully placed in jobs or as having furthered their education.

MISSION
Multifaceted in its strategy, Y.A.A.T.’s goal is basic: to provide young people and their families ---who make up our communities, with skills and resources necessary to overcome the increasing obstacles and negative influences prevalent in today’s culture.

Y.A.A.T. seeks to ensure that individuals are self-empowered and able to unlock the potential within access the world of opportunity that co-exists with its challenges.