Youth Advocacy

students at Youth and Government Conference 2023

Youth Advocates Learn and Lead

Youth Development
“In a world that currently feels divisive and politically polarizing, the Y is preparing tomorrow’s civic leaders to respectfully collaborate in powerful solutions-focused conversations through the
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Teen leaders at Youth and Government Preconference

Growing Teen Civic Engagement Statewide

Youth Advocacy
“YAG has changed my public speaking and drive for advocacy!” Those are the words of one North Carolina Youth & Government participant, but that sentiment is common among participants, according to Amber McClure, State Director for Youth & Government and Director of Tee
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teenagers visiting Capital Hill

Rocky Mount Teens Recognized as Amazon Changemakers

Youth Development
Highschoolers Israel James and Ke’Sondra Pickett headed to Washington in June for the annual YMCA Youth Governors Conference. They represented the Harrison Family Y in Rocky Mount as one of the 46 Amazon Changemakers teams traveling to D.C. to present their Changemakers project, RISE (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence), which focuses on adult male mentoring. 
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students conduct walk audit to address safety concerns

Youth Leaders Conduct Walk Audit to Advocate for Safety Needs

Walkability
In November 2019, 15 students from the Parkland High School Youth & Government delegation in Winston-Salem conducted a walk audit around their high school to assess how safe it is to walk or bike to their school and in the surrounding community, and to share their findings and recommendations with local policymakers.
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