Youth and Government Main Web Page

Lead Advisors: Adoreé De Luca, Andrew Johnson
724-483-8077

    The purpose of the program is to bring the workings of state government alive to students. 
It creates an opportunity for students to discuss current state issues with state administrators,
elected officials, and students from 40 high schools and YMCA's throughout the state. 
Delegates participate in the final three-day event help in April at the state capitol in Harrisburg.                 
The conference is led by teens elected to office by their fellow delegates.                                         

The state provides facilities and volunteers act as resources for the students
while they debate the issues.  Students debate and vote on bills that their fellow
delegates have written and presented.  Bills that pass in committee are then taken to
the floor of the House or Senate for full debate and vote.

Legislative

• Officers and Administration - have responsibility for planning, implementation, and leadership of the program.
• Legislators - author bills, vote on bills, speak their minds on current events, run for office, and vote for officers.
• Lobbyists - are trained in the process of influencing legislation.
• Press Corps - keep a careful eye the proceedings by publishing newspapers.

Judicial
    • Justices- Judge briefs created by teams of lawyers.
     • Lawyer Teams- Create briefs to argue court cases.
     • Bailiffs-  Control court room settings.
 

YMCA Core Values of Youth and Government

Caring - Teens become members of a club that supports and at time challenges their beliefs and provides a platform for their voices to be heard by other teens, adults, and elected officials.  Our Caring Adult Role Models are there to provide guidance, support, structure, and boundaries.

Honesty - Delegates are asked to conduct research into current event topics, write position papers, model legislation (bills), and judicial briefs.  Intellectual honesty and strong sense of academic ethics are critical to the Y&G process of research and debate.

Respect - Youth & Government delegates will be presented with arguments and position that are at times contrary to their own feelings and beliefs.  Teens learn to confront those ideas head on in a respectful manner without the need for personal attacks on the presenter.

Responsibility - Youth & Government clubs work as a cohesive unit only when each member contributes to the goals of the club.  Delegates are taught and expected to act with a Servant Leader's heart.  It is the responsibility of every participant to measure their action and decisions against the standards of Servant Leadership.

YMCA Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Check out our members in action!!!!