Courtesy photo.
The Channel Islands YMCA Youth & Government Alliance joined more than 3,500 youth from across the state in Fresno this weekend for a Training & Elections conference held Jan. 16-18 at the Fresno Convention Center. More than 70 teens with the Channel Islands YMCA were part of the team.
The Youth & Government program offered at YMCAs — including the Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Stuart C. Gildred, and Ventura branches of the Channel Islands YMCA — gives students a chance to learn about California’s legislative and judicial processes by writing bills, preparing briefs, and governmental role-play (lobbying, running for office, debating bills, voting on legislation).
“I learned that I can touch the hearts of thousands of people with my words and I don’t have to wait until tomorrow to make a change, I can make a change today” said Mark Godges, a delegate from Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Family YMCA Youth & Government delegates are ninth through twelfth graders who attend Santa Barbara High School, San Marcos High School and also middle college at Santa Barbara City College. They are part of a statewide program of around 90 delegations.
Youth and Government is a six-month program offered by YMCAs across the nation that provides students the opportunity to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process as well as debate and discuss issues with their peers.
“This program is truly remarkable in every sense of the word, it lets teens voice their opinions and introduces them to a healthy form of debate,” said Gabriel Osollo, Youth, Teen and Families Programs Director at the Santa Barbara Family YMCA. “The teens have a chance to meet new people from all over California and it’s life changing for most of these youth.”
In California, the experience culminates with Model Legislature & Court in Sacramento in February. The Channel Islands delegation will participate in the 68th Model Legislature & Court held Feb. 11-15 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
To support this program or to learn about how to participate, please contact Gabriel Osollo at (805) 687-7720 ext 274 or visit www.ciymca.org/santabarbara.
About the Channel Islands YMCA: Established in 1887, the Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization of seven YMCA branches serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties including: Camarillo Family YMCA, Lompoc Family YMCA, Montecito Family YMCA, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez, Ventura Family YMCA, and Youth and Family Services YMCA which operates Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, the St. George Family Youth Center and My Home.
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Channel Islands YMCA serves over 46,000 individuals and provides over $1.3 million in financial assistance to families in need for child care, YMCA memberships, away and day camps, youth sports, and teen after-school programs. For more information about the Santa Barbara Family YMCA, visit http://www.ciymca.org/santabarbara/ or call (805) 687-7727.