March 2-5, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Youth Advocate Application
Chaperone Application
FAQ
Program Spotlight Video
Program Flyer
Now in its 11th year, the Youth Advocate Program brings high school students to Washington, D.C. to advocate for YMCA priorities alongside their local Y leaders during National Advocacy Days. This four-month advocacy training program gives students the opportunity to elevate their voice on issues important to the Y and provides students with practical, real-world experience advocating with Members of Congress and their offices in Washington, D.C.
During the Youth Advocate Program, students will:
Applications for the Youth Advocate Program open at the start of each school year. Approximately 50 high school students (up to 2 students per state) will be selected to serve as 2025 Youth Advocates. Past Youth Advocate participants are NOT eligible to apply.
Youth Advocate Program Application is now closed.
Deadline: September 30, 2024 at 11:59pm Hawaiian Standard Time
Interested students must review the following criteria before applying:
Submit your application here. Want to learn more? Review our FAQ for students and parents!
YMCA of the USA has received philanthropic support for this program to cover:
Youth Advocates will receive instructions for making their travel arrangements once registration opens for National Advocacy Days. Hotel reservations for all Youth Advocates and staff chaperones will be made by Y-USA.
To ensure that all Youth Advocates are as prepared as possible for their role at National Advocacy Days, all participants are required to attend four virtual training sessions, all of which take place on Sundays from 4:00-5:00pm ET (recordings will be emailed to Youth Advocates after each session is complete). Trainings will cover topics related to the YMCA’s mission and history, state & federal advocacy efforts, Y-USA Legislative Priorities, and logistics for National Advocacy Days.
As part of their training, Youth Advocates also complete a series of assignments.
1. Community Profile
Designed to help Youth Advocates learn as much as possible about their local community and YMCA, including a visit (virtual or in-person) and interview with the branch executive or program director.
2. Peer Interview
Youth Advocates will be paired to interview each other about their Community Profiles, helping them understand the breadth and depth of YMCA programs and services nationally, and how Ys in other states may differ or be similar. Note: Both partners will need to have submitted their Community Profiles before they complete their interview.
3. Advocacy Plan
Completed in collaboration with their State YMCA Alliances, this plan brings together everything Youth Advocates will need to be successful during their Hill Meetings at Advocacy Days, including their Y story, their selected legislative priority, list and schedule of requested/confirmed meetings, and a meeting outline/agenda.
Y-USA is inviting full-time YMCA staff, specifically youth development professionals, to apply to serve as a staff chaperone for the 2025 Youth Advocate Program at National Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.
Serving as a staff chaperone is a full-time commitment, from the moment of arrival until departure. Staff chaperones will have access to all National Advocacy Days content, materials and sessions, and will participate in all Youth Advocate Programming.
Y-USA will cover registration, travel, and hotel costs for all chaperones.
To apply, complete the Chaperone Application by September 30, 2024.
Please review the chaperone requirements below before applying:
Submit your chaperone application here.