A Legacy of Civic Engagement

Youth Advocacy Academy

The  Youth Advocacy Academy is a statewide advocacy training program for high school students incorporating a challenging curriculum to develop the skills and resources necessary to effectuate positive changes in their communities. The program culminates with a State Advocacy Day event in Springfield.

Conference on National Affairs (CONA)

The YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs was started in 1968 as a follow-up to the outstanding state’s Youth in Government programs conducted by the YMCA throughout the US. CONA is a 6 day national conference hosted in July at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC.  Last year, young people from thirty-three states and the District of Columbia participated in the conference.  For more information, click on  https://ymcacona.org.

National Judicial Conference (NJC)

The YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) is an annual competition for high school student participants in the model judicial components – Appellate Court and Mock Trial – of the YMCA Youth and Government program. This high-achieving group of students expand on the legal processes learned in their state programs and build their skills at an even higher level.

In 2024, our Aappellate team of Akshara Arvind and Mannsha Assudani took the honor of the 2024 NJC Champions, and Nina Rao won Best Attorney.

YMCA National Youth Advocate Program

Now in its 11th year, the Youth Advocate Program brings high school students to Washington, D.C. to advocate for YMCA priorities alongside their local Y leaders during National Advocacy Days. This four-month advocacy training program gives students the opportunity to elevate their voice on issues important to the Y and provides students with practical, real-world experience advocating with Members of Congress and their offices in Washington, D.C.

Youth Governors Conference

Each summer, the newly elected Youth Governors from nearly 40 Youth and Government programs convene in Washington, D.C. for the annual YMCA Youth Governors Conference, a leadership development conference.  Participants have the opportunity to meet elected officials and learn best practices for representing their states in the coming year.

Fostering Civic Engagement for 76 Years

The national YMCA Youth & Government program began in 1936 as an opportunity for youth leaders to come together to discuss and debate real legislative issues in their state. When proposed to Illinois politicians in 1950, Governor Adlai Stevenson praised the initiative and shared his sentiment that the program is, “…an ideal foundation for citizenship training…predicated on the sound proposition that experience is the best teacher.” It is the immersion of students in the governmental process that continues to inspire delegates and fuel Youth and Government’s motto that, “Democracy Must Be Learned by Each Generation.”

Founders Douglas Monahan and Colonel Pete Duran laid the groundwork for the initial Illinois Youth & Government program, largely patterning the program after the State’s specific legislative processes and procedures. During its first 55 years, Illinois YMCA Youth and Government operated through various local YMCAs in the state. After many years of success with the Legislative proceedings, Youth and Government added the Judicial Program in 1974-75. By the late 1980’s and early 1990’s the Lobbyists, Video Press and Newspaper Press became integral parts of the organization. In 2003, the program filed incorporation papers to become a stand-alone non-profit organization.  In 2007, Illinois YMCA Youth and Government Inc. was granted membership status by the YMCA of the USA and received an official charter as a non-facility Y. 

Currently there are Youth & Government programs in 45 of the 50 states with a National Youth & Government program that sponsors the Youth Governor’s Conference, Y Advocates and Changemakers programming.  In our 2025-2057 Assembly Year IL YMCA Youth & Government hosted 1027 students from 43 Delegations across the state.  Students took part in six months of pre-legislative training, preparing delegates for the General Assembly weekend at the Springfield capitol. Additionally students represented Illinois at the Conference on National Affairs (CONA), National Judicial Competition (NJC) and the Youth Governors Conference,.

With more than 40,000 Illinois Youth & Government Alumi over the past 75 years, the words penned by Adlai Stevenson in the forward of the first Youth & Government Billbook remain true: “It recognizes that youth – alert, conscientious, educated – can lead the way to better government and to the realization of all our high hopes for the future.”

IL YMCA Youth and Government Leadership

Illinois YMCA Youth and Government is led by a Staff Team, the Board of Directors and the Program Board. The members are Youth & Government alumni, past Governors, Chief Justices, Presiding Officers, and former and present advisors and civically minded individuals who believe in this program and the impact it has on our students. By providing governance and guidance, delivering the program, and working to ensure the fiscal well-being of the program, the Staff and Boards provide Illinois YMCA Youth and Government with a wealth of experience and leadership.

Youth & Government Staff 

Amy Plummer – Chief Executive Officer

Vontella Thomas – Program and Operations Manager

Gracie Ratterree – Communications and Development Manager

Nancy Báez – Program Coordinator

Julie Kapsch – Engagement Coordinator