Fall 2020 YVC Program Opportunities Include: 

• In-Person Service-Learning Projects: YVC offers small-group in-person service-projects to youth, ages 11 – 17. Projects will be held on weekends, school days off, and some evenings. Action & Advocacy Academy (Formally YIG) 

• At-Home Service-Learning Projects: Independent service project opportunities will be available for YVC teens to complete at their leisure. Participants will receive detailed information, as well as a link to track their completed service hours for the Ann Arbor Y to keep on record that can be accessed anytime to meet YVC participant needs. Stay tuned for fall at-home project opportunities!

• Virtual Connections featuring Guest Speakers: Opportunities for teens to connect virtually and learn from each other on a specific topic will be offered virtually and open for all teens, ages 11 – 17. Topic discussions will include, but are not limited to, environmental justice, sustainable solutions, poverty, food security, economic injustice, global health, human rights, migration, and more! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE YVC CALENDAR & REGISTER! 

• Solution Circles. For Youth, By Youth: The Youth Advisory Council, YVC’s Steering Committee, is launching a series of Solution Circles for young people to address the most pressing issues of our time.  These solution circles will work to raise awareness about a critical issue that youth across our globe are currently facing, identify strategies for young people to take action, and develop an action plan to implement ideas. Solution Circles are created and facilitated by Youth Advisory Council members.

  • September’s Solution Circle: Civic Engagement, hosted by Kilas Gilamore, YAC Member (dates and details TBD)

  • The Youth Advisory Council, YVC’s Steering Committee, is launching a series of Solution Circles for young people to address the most pressing issues of our time.  These solution circles will work to raise awareness about a critical issue that youth across our globe are currently facing, identify strategies for young people to take action, and develop an action plan to implement ideas. Solution Circles are created and facilitated by Youth Advisory Council members.

• Youth-Led Solutions Summit for Climate Action [ages 15 – 17]: Activating Young Leaders To Address Global Issues.

  • US Regional Summit: October 12 – 16

    • Use summit to launch local project related to climate action; seed funding may be available

    • Lead education and advocacy efforts around climate action in your local community

    • Explore potential solutions and develop skills to create and implement a climate action project in a solution team

      • Use summit to launch local project related to climate action; seed funding may be available 
      • Lead education and advocacy efforts around climate action in your local community 
      • Explore potential solutions and develop skills to create and implement a climate action project in a solution team 
      • Advocate the YMCA’s collective impact with the United Nations 

        Advocate the YMCA’s collective impact with the United Nations

        Global Summit: October 19 – 23

        As part of our collective commitment to youth empowerment, the World YMCA is launching a Youth-Led Solutions Initiative to activate young leaders to address global issues through solutions that positively impact local and global sustainability, the development of just and equitable communities and the well-being of all people. Through a series of Youth-Led Solution Summits, young people will develop the skills necessary to advance social innovation and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, beginning this October with goal #13: Climate Action.

        Youth-Led Solutions Initiative Goals:

        1. Develop an international network and dialogue around creating solutions to climate challenges.

        2. Inspire young leaders to design and implement climate action solutions in their local communities.

        3. Equip young leaders to be multipliers who empower others to create climate action solutions.

        The Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of the Ann Arbor YMCA invites young people, ages 15 – 35 to serve as a member to the Ann Arbor YMCA Climate Action Solution Team. This team will consist of YVC participants, community partner organizations, Ann Arbor Y staff, volunteers, and international partners who are interested in combating climate change at home and abroad.

        Climate Action Solution Team Commitment:

        • Use summit to launch local project related to climate action; seed funding may be available 
        • Lead education and advocacy efforts around climate action in your local community 
        • Explore potential solutions and develop skills to create and implement a climate action project in a solution team 
        • Advocate the YMCA’s collective impact with the United Nations
        • Note: Summit will include live and self-paced events to accommodate participant’s schedules and time-zones.Interested? Complete the Climate Action Team Member Application by September 16, 2020.