Fred Fogg, the National Director of Community-Based Safety Initiatives for the Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), has dedicated his career to making a positive impact on young people and their communities. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Fred joined YAP in 1996, drawn by the organisation’s mission and core principles. Having experienced the challenges of growing up in Newark, Fred understood the importance of providing opportunities for young people labelled as “High Risk.” He believed that if his peers had access to programmes like YAP, their life trajectories might have been vastly different. Throughout his tenure, Fred has worked tirelessly to support these promising youth, their families, and their communities.

His multifaceted role at YAP has included involvement in juvenile justice, violence intervention and prevention, gang intervention, child welfare, and behavioural health. Fred’s leadership has led to the establishment of over a dozen youth justice and child welfare programmes within the nonprofit. Beyond programme development, Fred has also focused on systemic change. He has championed juvenile justice reform, criminal justice reform, and community violence intervention. In his current position, Fred not only supports new local YAP violence interruption leaders but also collaborates with cities to implement innovative programmes tailored to their unique needs. His dedication continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their communities.