YMCA Youth & Government Teen Programs Kickoff With September Barbeques

Aug. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.--Conejo Valley parents looking for stimulating and enriching choices for their teenagers this school year can investigate the YMCA Youth & Government programs at information barbeques in September.

   Youth & Government is a statewide youth education program involving more than 79 YMCAs and more than 2,300 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Since its inception in 1948, the program has enriched the lives of tens of thousands of teenagers as they learn about California's state government through hands-on activities that culminate in a summit at the state capitol in February.

   The impact of the program on teens is significant and was revealed in a recent survey of Youth & Government alumni. A full 96 percent of alumni were registered to vote (compared to 66 percent of the general population). Forty-three percent have worked on community-related issues compared to 17 percent of the general population. "Just as significant," says Veronica Rodarte, Youth & Government senior advisor for the Miller Y, "88 percent of Youth & Government alumni have a bachelor's degree or higher compared with only 25 percent of the general population. Youth & Government impacts a teen beyond their high school years."

   The Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park will hold its Youth & Government kickoff barbeque on Wednesday, September 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Miller Y (320 Via Las Brisas) in the Dos Vientos portion of Newbury Park.

   The Triunfo YMCA (serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park) will hold its Youth & Government barbeque on Thursday, September 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sumac Elementary (29026 Laro Drive, Agoura Hills) Last year, the Triunfo YMCA numbered 120 delegates. “Over the course of the program, it is truly inspiring to observe these teens interacting with one another on real life issues and voicing their opinion to implement change for the better," says Jenna Grossman, Triunfo program director. "The program also embraces a fun, accepting and educational environment that’s fosters lifelong friendships.”

   Parents are welcome to attend the barbeques. For more information about the Miller Y program, contact Veronica Rodarte at 805-480-0309, Veronica@millerymcayng.org or go to http://www.millerymcayng.org. For Triunfo YMCA program information, contact Jenna Grossman at 818-707-9622, jgrossman@triunfoymca.org. Programs are also forming at the Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613 and the Simi Valley Family YMCA, 805-583-5338.

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With branches in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village and Simi Valley, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA serves the communities of Newbury Park, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Rosa Valley, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park.