Philadelphia, Pa. -- Emmy-nominated actor Richard Cabral will be in Philadelphia Nov. 6 to keynote Youth Advocate Programs (YAP®), Inc.’s 50th Anniversary YAP® Making Change Happen Summit luncheon. The summit is part of the nonprofit’s day-long 50th Anniversary celebration, which culminates with the evening’s YAP® Making Change Happen Awards Gala at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown.

Founded in 1975, YAP® is the leading national nonprofit provider of services that reduce the reliance of placing young people in trouble or who struggle with other complex challenges in residential care/treatment and corrections facilities. YAP® also combines its evidence-based youth and family wraparound services model to help communities reduce neighborhood violence.

“When we learned that Richard has struggled with and overcome many of the challenges facing the youth we serve, we knew he would be a perfect speaker for our 50th anniversary Summit,” said YAP® President and CEO Gary Ivory. “Event attendees, who will include YAP staff, program participants, and community partners and supporters whose commitment makes our positive outcomes possible, look forward to hearing from Richard.”

Cabral starred for 4 seasons as ‘Coco’ on the hit FX series "Mayans M.C.", garnering a Critics Choice Award nomination for his work, and more recently was seen on a special event episode of "Law & Order: SVU."  He appears on the new Peacock limited series "Twisted Metal" alongside Anthony Mackie. Among his many credits, Cabral created Fighting Shadows," a one-man show based off his life as a former gang member who was rehabilitated through Homeboy Industries. He has performed the play to numerous sold-out audiences and is currently developing it into a full-length feature film.

Cabral appeared in the Lakeshore feature "Peppermint" opposite Jennifer Garner in the drama film indie, "Windows on the World" with Ryan Guzman and Edward James Olmos, and he starred opposite Martha Higareda in the critically acclaimed movie “Culture shock” directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero. He starred in the Universal feature "Breaking In" from director James McTeigue opposite Gabrielle Union and was named one of Variety’s 10 Latinos to Watch. Cabral created very different and memorable roles in both Seasons 2 and 3 of the anthology series "American Crime" from John Ridley after his lauded Emmy Award-nominated performance in Season 1 of the show.

Cabral’s previous credits include "Blood Father," "End of Watch" and "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones," among others. He also produced and starred in the feature "Khali the Killer" that is being distributed by Millennium.

Now in 32 states and Washington, DC, YAP® partners with local government agencies to provide rehabilitative, restorative, and other services that are safer, more effective, and less costly than out-of-home care and corrections. Tom Jeffers founded YAP® as a community-based youth justice alternative when Pennsylvania ordered Camp Hill adult prison to release children detained there.

Using principles of its unique YAPWrap® model, the nonprofit’s neighborhood-based Advocates and Behavioral Health professionals deliver individualized services to youth and their parents, guardians, and other family members that empower them to see and nurture their strengths and connect them with educational, economic and emotional tools to put their lives on a positive course. Many communities also partner with YAP® to reduce violence by connecting individuals at the greatest risk with tools to turn their lives around.

For more information on YAP®’s 50th celebration, visit yapinc.org/50th.