Commonwealth Teen Advocates
The Kentucky YMCA Youth Association’s new program, Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA), empowers high school students to become impactful community leaders through advocacy training, professional development, and character growth. Participants will collaborate to design actionable projects addressing real needs in their communities across Kentucky. This experiential program combines policy education, public speaking, research, and more, offering students the tools to create meaningful change.
The program concludes with a final presentation of actionable projects that students can implement in their local communities, allowing their advocacy work to continue beyond the program.
Curriculum and Structure
- Six-Week Program: Weekly sessions focusing on advocacy, leadership, and project development.
- County-Based Focus:
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- Jefferson (and surrounding counties: Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer)
- Fayette (and surrounding counties: Madison, Scott, Bourbon, Clark, Jessamine, Woodford)
- Henderson
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- Guest Speakers: Industry professionals from government, business, and non-profit organizations.
- Led by Y-Staff County Directors: Local leaders guiding participants through every step of the process.
- Interactive Components: Students work collaboratively to tackle next steps for implementation.
- Final Presentations: A showcase of student projects with actionable next steps for implementation.
Dates and Locations
Details coming soon
Why Attend?
CTA offers:
- Advocacy training and hands-on skill building.
- Professional development in public speaking, networking, and research.
- Opportunities to engage with government officials, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
- Character development focusing on confidence, empathy, and leadership.
- Experiential learning in a supportive and fun environment.
- A chance to address real community needs and make a lasting impact.
Who Can Attend?
CTA welcomes Kentucky high school students who:
- Are passionate about making a difference in their communities.
- Reside in Jefferson, Fayette, or Henderson counties (or surrounding areas listed above).
- Are ready to dedicate six weeks to learning and growing as advocates.
It’s Free!
CTA is completely free to attend! With no cost to participate, this program ensures accessibility for all students ready to make an impact in their communities.
Key Skills and Benefits
- Confidence and empowerment.
- Public speaking and communication skills.
- Research and critical thinking.
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Building relationships and fostering empathy.
- Preparing for lifelong civic engagement.
Join the Commonwealth Teen Advocates and turn your passion into action!