"Democracy Must Be Learned By Each Generation" - YMCA Youth & Government slogan

We invite you to donate to California YMCA Y&G in lieu of a traditional wedding gift. We met through the program when we were 16, and even served together as delegation president and vice president (guess who was which!). Through Y&G, we gained invaluable knowledge and experience that helped shape who we are today.

The mission of California YMCA Youth & Government is to ensure that leadership, democracy, and the YMCA Core Values of Honesty are learned by each generation. We believe, now more than ever, that young people must be empowered to engage politically.

Y&G was started in the 1930s as a model legislature experience meant to inspire young people to become active and concerned participants in government as citizens through hands-on learning.   

California YMCA Youth and Government has received the full support of every elected governor since its initiation in 1949, when Earl Warren approved and enrolled his two sons in the program.

California YMCA Youth & Government has provided learning experiences for more than 100,000 middle and high schoolers. Your gift will help to continue to improve programs and expand youth outreach by providing scholarship funding for delegates who would otherwise be unable to participate.