YMCA of the USA
Project Title
For project support of the Youth and Government Program
Date
Dec. 11, 2025
Duration
24 months
Description
Too many young people across the United States lack opportunities to participate in civic life, especially those from low-income backgrounds. The YMCA of the USA created the Youth and Government (Y&G) program to fill this gap by engaging students ages 12–18 in simulations of state government where they legislate, deliberate, adjudicate, and advocate. With Carnegiesupport, Y-USA will expand Y&G into 18 states, reaching 7,100 additional students and reducing barriers through scholarships and travel support. The program follows the school year with delegation meetings and culminates in state conferences where students assume civic roles and debate bills. Expected outcomes include increased student confidence to mobilize, stronger academic self-efficacy, greater sociopolitical participation, and deeper community contribution, ensuring that participants gain the skills and experiences needed for lifelong civic engagement.
Website
Project Title
For a project to promote social cohesion among immigrant and non-immigrant youth
Date
Dec. 02, 2021
Duration
24 months
Description
The rupture in America’s social cohesion has given rise to polarization, creating an environment where immigration is more divisive than at any time in recent history and where young people — both new immigrants and those within the receiving community — feel disconnected from one another and less empowered to bridge social divides and rebuild social cohesion. In 2020, the YMCA and New American Economy (NAE) jointly launched the Youth Unity Program (YUP), an after-school program designed to facilitate an experience in which young people explore the critical social issue of immigration—whether as new immigrants themselves or as members of the native-born receiving community. With Corporation support, the YMCA will expand the YUP to a total of thirtyYMCA sites and continue to build community between immigrant and native-born youth.