Youth Advocacy Academy

New for 2023-2024

The YMCA Youth Advocacy Academy is a statewide 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: The Academy will consist of sessions between November and June. 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

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