CATCH YMCA YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

 
 

CATCH YMCA Youth & Government

Youth & Government®, a national YMCA program, empowers students from every corner of the U.S. by giving them the opportunity to learn about—and experience—government policies and methodologies firsthand. This unique program is made up of thousands of teens nationwide in state-organized, model-government programs. Participants immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement, debate issues that affect citizens in their state and even propose legislation. The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature. CATCH students participate in the YMCA Youth & Government every Wednesday afternoon on CATCH’s campus.

 

California YMCA Youth & Government

California YMCA Youth and Government has provided outstanding statewide civic engagement, educational and social experiences for over 75 years. The YMCA is a cause-driven organization that focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility with four major core values of: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. California YMCA Youth & Government is an integral part of the YMCA movement. Our programs, run through partnering YMCAs, Schools and Youth Organizations, have served over 100,000 students over the past 15 years alone. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, we are back engaged with over 60 delegations and 1300 students from across this great state of California. Our rebuilding and reimagining efforts  will build, strengthen and encourage life skills and positive character traits.

The hands-on programs of California YMCA Youth & Government provide positive opportunities and experiences for youth. Participants strengthen their communities by becoming civically engaged, active and responsible contributors who are inspired and empowered to lead and create meaningful change.
 
California YMCA Youth & Government prides itself in offering the following skills to help youth transition and succeed with ease from middle school through college graduation.

  • Leadership

  • Public Speaking

  • Research & Writing

  • Core Values 

  • Collaboration

  • Study Skills

  • Critical Thinking

  • Greater Understanding of Civic Engagement

  • Addressing Issues on Statewide, National, and International Levels