A FUN AND EXCITING WAY TO LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT!
THE PURPOSE
The Ohio YMCA's Youth & Government Program enhances development of the American democratic process for young people through participatory training in the theory and practice of the Ohio state government. The YIG program seeks to build, encourage, and strengthen life assets and character traits that will help teens become involved and responsible adults.
All YIG activities are structured around the following goals:
• Providing leadership training and preparation to meet the needs of a democratic society.
• Stimulating interest and awareness of US and state government’s function.
• Creating opportunities for civic engagement and awareness of prominent social issues.
• Developing self-confidence and self-expression while fostering tolerance and understanding of others’ point of view.
• Cultivating the application of moral and ethical valuing processes to public policy making.
THE PROGRAM
Youth participate in both preconference training experiences, where they learn to research and write bills, and in the statewide conference, where they debate and vote on legislation, and find solutions for current issues in their communities.
YIG participants meet on average twice a month to talk about current issues, plan out service/research activities, and prepare the bills they will present at the State Assembly in November.
THE PARTICIPANTS
Participants should have an interest in civic engagement and leadership. Youth in Government is open to any middle schooler, 6th – 8th grade and you do not have to be a YMCA member to participate.
For more information on our YIG program contact Taylor Walker, our Youth and Teen Development Director at twalker@daytonymca.org
