Youth Advocacy Academy

The YMCA Youth Advocacy Academy is a statewide and federal advocacy training program for high school students in grades 9-12. Through a hybrid model (virtual and in-person sessions), participants will engage in individual and group exercises designed to provide them with skills and resources necessary to effectuate positive changes in their communities, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States.

The Academy will incorporate a challenging curriculum of workshops, networking and special projects through which participants will learn how to identify local, state and global issues and propose real-world actions. Participants will learn from a faculty of YMCA government affairs professionals, state legislators and staff, professional advocates and others.

Program Structure: For 2024-2025, YAA will have two tracks for students to participate in: State and Federal Tracks. 

The State Track will consist of sessions between October and April. Each monthly session is 90 minutes and sessions will become more frequent prior to State Advocacy events. Academy participants will be expected to complete both individual assignments and group projects throughout the program year. Each cohort of participants will complete a culminating project demonstrating the skills practiced in our virtual sessions. This application will be due on October 6, 2024 for the '24-'25 session.

The Federal Track will consist of sessions between January and June. Each monthly session is 90 minutes and sessions will become more frequent prior to the Federal Advocacy events. Academy participants will be expected to complete both individual assignments and group projects throughout the program year. Each cohort of participants will complete a culminating project demonstrating the skills practiced in our virtual sessions. This application will be due on November 1, 2024 for the '24-'25 session.

Contact David John (david.john.jr123@gmail.com) with any questions.