YMCA Programs for Teens
YMCAs are for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Half of YMCAs' members nationwide are under age 18. YMCAs give teens a safe place to call their own, a chance to connect with adults who care about them and an opportunity to get involved in programs that help them grow, such as:
Teen Leadership Programs
YMCA programs help teens learn how to express themselves, come together for a common cause and be active and informed citizens. Leaders Clubs involve teens in community service projects. In Youth and Government, hands-on activities teach them about state government. Model U.N. helps them learn about world politics and the interdependence of nations. For more specific information, contact your local Y.
Black Achievers
The YMCA Black Achievers program-called Minority Achievers at some Ys-was founded in 1971 at New York City's Harlem Y. Its purpose is to help young African Americans to develop a positive sense of self and to set high education and career goals. African American professionals act as role models and volunteer leaders for the two types of YMCA Black Achievers programs: Youth Achievers (for ages 6 to 12) and Teen Achievers.
The program's objectives are:
- To help youth ages 6 and up to develop a positive sense of self
- To raise the academic standards of youth
- To expose students to diverse career options
- To provide positive role models for youth
- To recognize and promote excellence
- To create channels for continuing community involvement for business and industry
Program benefits:
- Youth are motivated to succeed in school and gain marketable skills.
- Adults are recognized by their peers as achievers and are given the opportunity to serve as role models for youth.
- Companies are provided with a way to support urban youth, which enhances their corporate image and helps build a future workforce of competent, motivated young adults.
- YMCAs that sponsor Black Achievers gain corporate support for its programs and a dynamic way to involve black professionals in meeting community needs as YMCA volunteers.
The Black Achievers program is a cooperative venture that marshals the resources of the home, the school, the corporate community and the YMCA to help youth set and attain high education and career goals.
Other Youth Development Programs
YMCAs give young people a safe place to call their own. Caring, dedicated adults are there to listen to them and help them navigate the stresses, changes and choices that come with adolescence. Building relationships with these responsible adults and with other young people from different backgrounds helps give preteens and teens the inner strength to avoid destructive behavior. Young people have more fun and learn more when they can take the lead in planning and directing their own programs, and Ys often provide this opportunity. YMCAs run programs targeted specifically to at-risk youth and other programs targeted to low-income youth. YMCA programs for teens and preteens include:
- Teen nights
- Teen dances
- Strength training for preteens
- Tutoring Youth centers/rooms
- Teen centers/rooms
- Junior high after-school programs
- Youth employment programs
- Preteen dances
- Mentoring programs
- Hi-Y
- Youth and Government
- Model United Nations
- Midnight basketball
- YMCA Earth Service Corps (teen-led environmental action clubs)