Popular on s4story
- People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos Announces New Board Leadership & Corporate Partnership Initiative - 167
- Mensa identifies best board games of 2025 - 161
- Electives Appoints DraftKings' CPO Linda Aiello to Board Amid Record Quarter - 136
- Is Billboard Advertising Still Effective in 2025? - 124
- Mission 3A Establishes Healthcare Advisory Board with Addition of Industry Leaders Patrick Fisher, Kevin Cordell, and Dr. Greg Berlet - 117
- Two exciting new fantasy & adventure books are published - 105
- MAJOR New release of Krypto500 (ELF-HF) Sigint - COMINT software
- "The Eyes Have It" a Short Story by Philip K. Dick Now Available on Audiobook
- Fairfield Inn by Marriott Scottsdale Old Town Opens
- New Build-to-Suit VA Medical Office Facility Coming to Highland Heights, KY
Similar on s4story
- Sequentex Achieves OMNIA Partners Approval, Empowering Public Sector and other Agencies with Streamlined Technology Procurement
- Savista Retreat Announces Monthly Yoga, Wellness & Experiential Retreats in Jaipur
- **Award-Winning Dystopian Book Series Hitting Too Close to Home**
- U.S. Lawmakers Propose New $250 Fee for Green Card Lottery Applicants
- Skyline Introduces the Industry's First High-Quality Portable Counter with LED Edge Lighting
- Men's Health Network Urges Memphis Community to Attend 2025 Men's Health Month Summit
- APA Faces Outrage: Child Deaths and a $329 Billion Mental Health Failure
- Class of 2025 - NYC Basketball Hall of Fame
- Live Good Relaunches "Be The Generation" Initiative to Empower Student Leadership Amid Cuts to Public Health and Education
- Heritage at South Brunswick Grand Opening Success!
YMCA Seeks to Expand Civic Leadership Opportunities for More New Jersey Youth
S For Story/10657939
Statewide Youth and Government Conference Draws Nearly 400 Students
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. - s4story -- Hundreds of students from across New Jersey gathered at the YMCA Youth and Government Conference this weekend, a hands-on civic engagement experience that YMCA leaders are working to expand to reach more youth in underserved communities.
Nearly 400 middle and high school students participated in the three-day conference at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel, stepping into the roles of legislators, lobbyists, and press corps, debating and passing mock legislation they developed themselves.
Civic education, YMCA leaders say, is more important than ever and programs like Youth and Government are vital to shaping a new generation of active, informed citizens.
"Youth and Government is a proven program that helps students gain a deeper understanding of how our democracy works," said Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Julie Gallanty. "At the same time, students sharpen their leadership skills, improve their problem solving and critical thinking abilities and grow in self-confidence."
"We must ensure that young people in every community, regardless of background, have access to this powerful learning experience," said Gallanty, who oversees the YMCA Alliance, representing 30 YMCA associations and 80 local branches in the Garden State.
The YMCA Alliance secured funding in the current state budget that enabled nine local YMCAs to engage 144 new students from historically underrepresented communities in this year's Youth and Government Conference, Gallanty said. In total, 18 delegations participated, reflecting the program's growing reach and commitment to expanding civic opportunities for all New Jersey youth.
More on S For Story
For 13-year-old Maya Woods and seven schoolmates from Sisters Academy of New Jersey in Asbury Park, it was their first Youth and Government conference and they've been busily preparing since mid-February. "What excites me," she said, "is getting to convey my bill to other delegates and get their critiques."
The Asbury Park students worked weekly with their Youth and Government advisor from YMCA of Greater Monmouth County to research, draft, and prepare bills on issues like reducing medical costs for working women, climate change mitigation, and addressing domestic violence.
Thomas Bugliaro, principal of Sisters Academy, said Youth and Government has been a wonderful experience for his students. "Children learn most from each other. This provides opportunities to think critically, speak clearly and most importantly obtain good leadership skills that make a difference in our world," he said.
Gallanty said the YMCA Alliance aims to build on this year's program expansion with a proposed state budget appropriation of $550,000 to ensure more students from underserved communities can benefit from the Youth and Government program and opportunities to interact with local legislators.
As 15-year-old delegate Mahie Panjwani of Westfield said: "I think knowledge is powerful, but I believe it should be shared."
For many students, including Jasai Howard Wright, 18, from Sommerville High School, a highlight of the conference was encouragement about shaping New Jersey's future from three state legislators who spoke: Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy (D-14); Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy (D-7); and Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16).
More on S For Story
"Getting young people engaged early is so critical," said Senator Zwicker, who championed the New Voter Empowerment Act, a new law that allows registered voters who are 17 by the time of the primary election to vote in that primary if they turn 18 on or before the next general election.
Looking ahead, Gallanty noted, Youth and Government participants will continue their civic engagement at the YMCA Alliance's Trenton Day on May 22, where they will advocate for funding to support both Youth and Government and the Y's Safety Around Water initiative — another vital program designed to provide life-saving swimming skills to children across New Jersey.
For more information on YMCA Youth and Government and water safety programs and how to support these initiatives, visit the YMCA Alliance website at www.njymca.org.
About the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance
The YMCA Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations. Through public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery, the YMCA Alliance fosters a greater ability for YMCAs, community partners and leaders across the state to impact families, improve community health and advance equity. Our collective voice strengthens local communities while promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.njymca.org.
Nearly 400 middle and high school students participated in the three-day conference at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel, stepping into the roles of legislators, lobbyists, and press corps, debating and passing mock legislation they developed themselves.
Civic education, YMCA leaders say, is more important than ever and programs like Youth and Government are vital to shaping a new generation of active, informed citizens.
"Youth and Government is a proven program that helps students gain a deeper understanding of how our democracy works," said Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Julie Gallanty. "At the same time, students sharpen their leadership skills, improve their problem solving and critical thinking abilities and grow in self-confidence."
"We must ensure that young people in every community, regardless of background, have access to this powerful learning experience," said Gallanty, who oversees the YMCA Alliance, representing 30 YMCA associations and 80 local branches in the Garden State.
The YMCA Alliance secured funding in the current state budget that enabled nine local YMCAs to engage 144 new students from historically underrepresented communities in this year's Youth and Government Conference, Gallanty said. In total, 18 delegations participated, reflecting the program's growing reach and commitment to expanding civic opportunities for all New Jersey youth.
More on S For Story
- Q1 2025 Revenue Soars 92% to $1.13M on Strategic Acquisitions, Organic Growth & Breakthroughs in AI Drones & Quantum Tech: ZenaTech Stock Symbol: ZENA
- Savista Retreat Announces Monthly Yoga, Wellness & Experiential Retreats in Jaipur
- Robert Tsigler Selected by NADC as Top 1% Attorney in the U.S. for 2025
- Hope in the Stars: Christian Hurst on Identity, Loneliness, and the Voyage of Lily Starling
- New Book Release by Dr. Patricia Corbitt Offers Healing and Hope for Church Leaders Battling Trauma
For 13-year-old Maya Woods and seven schoolmates from Sisters Academy of New Jersey in Asbury Park, it was their first Youth and Government conference and they've been busily preparing since mid-February. "What excites me," she said, "is getting to convey my bill to other delegates and get their critiques."
The Asbury Park students worked weekly with their Youth and Government advisor from YMCA of Greater Monmouth County to research, draft, and prepare bills on issues like reducing medical costs for working women, climate change mitigation, and addressing domestic violence.
Thomas Bugliaro, principal of Sisters Academy, said Youth and Government has been a wonderful experience for his students. "Children learn most from each other. This provides opportunities to think critically, speak clearly and most importantly obtain good leadership skills that make a difference in our world," he said.
Gallanty said the YMCA Alliance aims to build on this year's program expansion with a proposed state budget appropriation of $550,000 to ensure more students from underserved communities can benefit from the Youth and Government program and opportunities to interact with local legislators.
As 15-year-old delegate Mahie Panjwani of Westfield said: "I think knowledge is powerful, but I believe it should be shared."
For many students, including Jasai Howard Wright, 18, from Sommerville High School, a highlight of the conference was encouragement about shaping New Jersey's future from three state legislators who spoke: Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy (D-14); Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy (D-7); and Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16).
More on S For Story
- Celebrating Earth Day and Creating a Safer Environment
- ER Doctor and Wellness Coach Dr. Shari Andrews Releases Debut Book 'Find Your Pulse'
- **Award-Winning Dystopian Book Series Hitting Too Close to Home**
- Neoware Unveils Strategic Transformation as a Specialist "Data to Intelligence" Partner
- Phoenix Implant Clinic Introduces Upfront Cost Page to Strengthen Patient Trust
"Getting young people engaged early is so critical," said Senator Zwicker, who championed the New Voter Empowerment Act, a new law that allows registered voters who are 17 by the time of the primary election to vote in that primary if they turn 18 on or before the next general election.
Looking ahead, Gallanty noted, Youth and Government participants will continue their civic engagement at the YMCA Alliance's Trenton Day on May 22, where they will advocate for funding to support both Youth and Government and the Y's Safety Around Water initiative — another vital program designed to provide life-saving swimming skills to children across New Jersey.
For more information on YMCA Youth and Government and water safety programs and how to support these initiatives, visit the YMCA Alliance website at www.njymca.org.
About the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance
The YMCA Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations. Through public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery, the YMCA Alliance fosters a greater ability for YMCAs, community partners and leaders across the state to impact families, improve community health and advance equity. Our collective voice strengthens local communities while promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.njymca.org.
Source: New Jersey YMCA State Alliance
Filed Under: Education
0 Comments
Latest on S For Story
- 20th Annual Celebrating Words: Art and Literacy Festival
- L2 Aviation Honored with James A. Wuenker Growth Award by REDI Cincinnati
- APA Faces Outrage: Child Deaths and a $329 Billion Mental Health Failure
- Refreshed Look for Many of Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant Novels
- Class of 2025 - NYC Basketball Hall of Fame
- The Smart Way to Run Your Flooring Business: Comp-U-Floor Delivers Game-Changing Flooring Industry Software
- Bluumly Chosen as Finalist for the 2025 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase
- A Decade of Brotherhood: Chaddrick L. Thomas and Gregory A. Thomas Unite in a Revolutionary Effort
- "Love on Purpose" by Chaddrick Thomas Sr.: A Bold, Soulful Blueprint for Intentional Love and Last
- Thomas & Thomas Publishing House: A Bold New Voice in Black Literature and Social Justice
- Live Good Relaunches "Be The Generation" Initiative to Empower Student Leadership Amid Cuts to Public Health and Education
- Unwritten Fate ebook new release
- Chandra Donelson Closes Enterprise Data World with Powerful Keynote on Leadership
- New Children's Book Urges Churches to Support Kids with Sensory Needs
- Dr. Jacko's New Book Provides The Insight You Need To Navigate The Medical Field and Become Your Own Advocate
- GoodNewz4U Comics Holy Bible Comic Book Series Reimagines Faith with with Inclusive Representation
- Host Your Next Retreat in Costa Rica: Tamarindo Bay Boutique Hotel & Studios Offers the Ideal Setting in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
- Koplon Implant & Family Dentistry Receives National Recognition as One of the Best Dental Implant Practices in the U.S
- San Antonio Buyer Secures 2.375% Mortgage in 2025-Broker Reveals the Mistake Costing Buyers Thousands
- Heritage at South Brunswick Grand Opening Success!