Hands-on civic engagement and leadership development program for teens will use grant funds to “reignite” the conference experience for more than 1,600 participants and 200 volunteers from across the Texas for State Conference events in Austin, Texas.
AUSTIN, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 – A $5,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation will help purchase new technology tools that will enhance the conference experience for both participants and judicial volunteers. Youth and Government is a nationwide YMCA program, and active in more than 120 Texas cities. Serving middle and high school students, the program begins each fall and culminates with the annual conference which brings students of diverse backgrounds and a variety of opinions together to give them a platform to raise their voices, collaborate, and build skills that help shape the world around them.
The High School State Conference will be held January 27-30, 2022, followed by the Middle School State Conference on February 25-27, 2022. During the conferences, students will apply their learned knowledge and skills within the judicial, legistlative, executive and media program areas.
YMCA Texas Youth and Government is a one-of-a-kind program which provides a hands-on learning environment. State Conference events will take place in and around the Texas State Capitol, where students gain unique access to the House and Senate Chambers, Hearing Committee Rooms, Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and HMS Travis County Courthouse.
“We are so thankful for the Texas Bar Foundations’ ongoing support and investment in teen civic engagement,” Castilleja said. “Due to COVID-19, the 2020-2021 program cycle pivoted to a virtual platform and while we did experience some initial challenges, there were also some new opportunities for Texas YG when we moved to virtual programming and conferences.
One such opportunity is to include a more robust digital platform for particpiants and volunteers. The funds from the Texas Bar Foundation will help us Reignite Texas Youth and Government as we return to in-person conferences.”
Promoting civic engagement and academic enrichment since its inception in 1946, Texas Youth and Government is celebrating 75 years of programming. With the help of grant funding, Castilleja forecasts a programmatic future of diversity, inclusiveness and continued growth.
To learn more about Texas YG and how to get involved, visit our website using the following link: https://ymcatexasyg.org/
