Posted July 2024

The Kentucky YMCA Youth Association is thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation through a substantial multi-year grant. This partnership will significantly bolster the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA), an annual model youth and government program that engages over 5,000 Kentucky middle and high school students each year. The grant will also enhance youth advocacy programs across the Commonwealth.

Part of a $2.9 million investment with YMCA of the USA, this grant aims to elevate youth civic engagement in Florida, Texas, and Kentucky. The funds allocated to the Kentucky YMCA will enable 35 schools new to our programs, from Western and Eastern Kentucky, to send 15 students each to the youth and government program, fostering broader and more inclusive participation. Additionally, the grant will support expansion to Title I schools in urban areas of the Commonwealth and pilot county-level advocacy programs in four counties across the state.

The Kentucky Youth Assembly provides students with hands-on experience in the democratic process, empowering them to engage in civil discourse, advance their ideas, and develop leadership skills. The grant from the Bezos Family Foundation will help us bridge the civic engagement gap, particularly for students who previously had limited access.

“This partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation is a transformative opportunity for the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association,” said Amanda Chism, CEO of the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association. “Their generous support will allow us to expand our reach and impact, enabling more students from diverse backgrounds to participate in our programs. By investing in our youth, we are cultivating a generation of informed, engaged, and empowered citizens.”