Our Mission
To develop, implement, and provide programs that have a positive impact on youth ages 10-24 years old and their families who live in the Greater Atlanta metropolitan area.

Do You Believe
Young People Matter?

About YPM

In April 2007, we began recruiting volunteers to help sexually exploited girls in the 6th and 7th grade who were being forced into prostitution in the Pittsburgh community of Atlanta.  That same year, an 12-year old named the organization during a formation meeting with "adults" in a Stone Mountain living room, when she walked by and asked, "Can I participate, don't young people matter?" That young lady shares the title of our longest employee, along with our Founder. 

Since that time, we have dedicated ourselves to helping young people and families in crisis situations throughout the Greater Atlanta area. 

YPM is an organization that is results and outcome driven. With a committed board of directors, staff and volunteers, we transform our supporters into evangelists, treat other organizations as partners--not competitors, and respect the ideas and values of the young people we serve. We believe by doing so, we will have the leverage to transform society and convert the dreams, hopes and aspirations of young people into reality.

In 2011, we made history when we opened the first federally-funded emergency youth shelter, in DeKalb County, GA which serves young people from all over Georgia and the United States in our facility in Tucker.  YPM is also the only youth shelter in metropolitan Atlanta with open access to underage girls.  

We hope you will be a part of our journey...Welcome Aboard!

How YPM Helps
YPM also provides caring adults, 24 hours a day who aid in their positive youth development, and assist them in transitioning to successful, self-sufficient adults. We provide weekly street outreach to find kids who are hungry, alone and need safety.

YPMers participate in all facets of the organization. They have created our name, our logo, share in our strategic development, program development and maintain our social media presence. YPMers also interview all candidates for employment and have a position on our board of directors. 

YPM's programs recreates the family atmosphere and dynamic that is central to healthy adolescent development.
Youth are cared for around the clock by professionals who provide the parenting that all children need.  YPM operates DeKalb County's 1st youth shelter for unaccompanied minors with no place to go. 

At YPM, young people become part of a family. Older youth 
become big brothers and sisters to younger ones. Youth share chores, do homework together, eat together,
and grow up together. We truly believe no matter what their circumstance that lead them to our doors, their lives matter! 

Learn More About YPM
and the substantial impact we make. And please, if you
know or think a young person is in trouble call  or text our 24-hour emergency hotline, anytime day or night:
(770) 912-2972

Our Services
Youth Emergency Shelter 
Positive Youth Development Program

Our Accomplishments Since December 2007

YPM is an innovative and creative organization, primarily because we
value young people. We pride ourselves on being able to work with
teenagers who trust us and over 90% of the youth we serve are
self-referred.  They find us and we find them.


"My mother left me
in an apartment when I was 15. Just left
and never came back. After a few
days, the landlord changed the locks.  I  realized I was on my own.
Without YPM and Ms. Joye, I would not be where I am today. Young People
Matter took me in when no one else wanted to. They gave me a
chance and
today 7/10/12, I have a job and steady income, plus I have my own
apartment! Thanks YPM."--Former resident and lifelong YPMer.

---

Young People Matter, Inc. (YPM)
4315 Cowan Road, Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 744-4050  | 24-hour Emergency Youth Shelter (770) 912-2972
info@ypmatlanta.org
YPM is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

---