Alliance Overview

The Youth and Government Program Alliance (YGPA) is the professional network of YMCA staff that lead our Youth and Government programs across the country. This network works to provide support, resources, training, and professional development opportunities, as well as a platform for staff to connect on best practices and national programs/initiatives.

YGPA National Peer Community

Our National Peer Community is our primary communications and networking platform open to all YMCA Staff at the local, state, and national levels who lead or support the Youth and Government program in any capacity.

If you are a staff member who would like to join the peer community and attend our monthly virtual calls, email your request to the YGPA Council at contact@ymcayag.org.

We also encourage all members of our National Peer Community to follow and amplify our national Youth and Government social media accounts, where we’ll be sharing stories and resources for your programs, participants, and volunteers.

YGPA State Representatives

Each Youth and Government state program designates one staff member (usually an executive or director) to serve as their YGPA State Representative for all official business and state correspondence. If you have any questions about the representative for your state, please email contact@ymcayag.org.

YGPA Council

The 5 members of our YGPA Council are elected during our YGPA Leadership Conference to serve for a two-year term.

The council meets virtually every two weeks to guide the work of the YGPA, facilitate our peer community, develop and steward program collaboration, and serve as the voice of the Youth and Government program to YMCA of the USA and other national partners.

2022-2024 YGPA Council
Elise Nilles (AZ)
Lindsey Pullum (DC)
Ken Hussey (MO)
Sharon Davies (VA)
Stella London (TN)

All members of our YGPA National Peer Community are eligible to run for election to the YGPA Council if their candidacy is approved by their respective YGPA State Representative.

The YGPA Council is supported and resourced by staff from YMCA of the USA’s Government Relations office in Washington, D.C. as well as our YGPA Civic Health Advisor:

Angie Castilleja, YMCA of the USA
Jamie Engel, Civic Health Advisor

To contact the council about a question or opportunity, email contact@ymcayag.org.

YGPA Leadership Conference

Held every two years, the YGPA Leadership Conference is open to all members of our YGPA National Peer Community. The conference brings together staff at the local, state, and national levels of the Y movement who lead and support Youth and Government programs for collaboration, networking, and professional development.

2024 YGPA Leadership Conference
Providence, Rhode Island
May 6-9, 2024

States that are interested in hosting the YGPA Leadership Conference in future years can submit a bid to be considered and voted on by our YGPA State Representatives at the conclusion of each conference.