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.

For more information on program structure, please view the calendar and FAQs below.