COMMONWEALTH TEEN ADVOCATES (CTA)
REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR 2025 SESSION. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA) is a statewide program that empowers high school students to become informed and engaged advocates for the issues that matter most to them. Through hands-on learning experiences, CTA participants develop a deeper understanding of civic engagement, policy-making, and grassroots advocacy. The program combines in-person training with real-world service opportunities, allowing students to see firsthand how advocacy and community impact intersect. By collaborating with local leaders, businesses, and organizations, CTA equips students with the skills and confidence to drive meaningful change in their communities.
2025 PILOT YEAR
The 2025 program year serves as a pilot for Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA), allowing us to gather valuable insights from students, volunteers, staff, teachers, and community members to shape its future. This year, our focus is on refining the program structure, identifying best practices, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Through feedback and collaboration, we aim to create an experience that is impactful, accessible, and adaptable to the needs of participants and communities across the state. By testing and adjusting in this pilot phase, we are laying the groundwork for a lasting and effective advocacy program.
COLLABORATION WITH STUDENT Y'S REGIONAL SERVICE DAYS
This pilot year, Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA) is collaborating with the Student Y’s Regional Service Days to provide a unique experience that combines advocacy and service.
This partnership offers students hands-on opportunities to engage with local communities, connect with leaders, and see firsthand how advocacy and service intersect. By participating in both meaningful service projects and structured advocacy discussions, students will gain valuable skills while also helping shape the future of the CTA program. This collaboration not only enhances the student experience but also creates a space for impactful feedback, ensuring that CTA evolves into a sustainable and effective initiative.
MEETING STRUCTURE
Each meeting will begin with a service project (Student Y's Regional Service Day). Following this service project, students will be provided with a lunch, and then go into CTA curriculum review, advocacy project creation, feedback sessions, and project presentations before dismissal.
Each school represented at CTA will be given a plaque to celebrate their impact in shaping this new KY YMCA program.
Registered students will be sent an itinerary for reference via email pre-program.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
If you are a high school student in Fayette, Jefferson, or Henderson County, we invite you to join us for this exciting collaboration between Regional Service Days and Commonwealth Teen Advocates!
This full-day experience kicks off with two hours of hands-on community service, followed by an interactive session where you'll review curriculum, provide valuable feedback, and even create your own mini-advocacy project.
Not only will you earn service hours and make a tangible impact in your community, but you’ll also play a key role in shaping one of the KY YMCA’s future programs. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow students and community leaders from across your county. Don’t miss out—join us for this unique and meaningful experience!
DATES & LOCATIONS
Henderson County
- Date: Sunday, March 23rd
- Time: 11:00AM - 5:00PM CST
- Location: Henderson County Courthouse (20 N Main St, Henderson, KY 42420)
Jefferson County
- Date: Sunday, April 6th
- Time: 10:00AM - 5:00PM EST
- Location: George Rogers Clark Park (1024 Thruston Ave, Louisville, KY 40217)
Fayette County
- Date: Saturday, April 12th
- Time: 10:00AM - 5:00PM EST
- Location: Ronald McDonald House (1300 Sports Center Dr, Lexington, KY 40502)