social responsibility

Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

We know that when we work as one, we move people and communities forward. That’s why we are committed to providing support to our neighbors and opportunities for kids, adults and families to give, join in or advocate in the name of stronger communities.

 

Youth & Government 

 (Grades 9 through 12)

 Student delegates from the Rockland County YMCA who received a Premier District Award at New York State YMCA Youth and Government Conference.

Make a difference in your community by becoming involved in the political process.  Get a taste of various public service careers to find if they match your interests and talents.  Develop lasting friendships and expand your horizons.  The YMCA Youth and Government is a national program involving thousands of teens in forty state programs all across the nation.  The New York State YMCA Youth and Government program provides high school teens at Nyack, Pearl River and North Rockland high schools with an opportunity to have their voice heard and to learn how change is brought about through the democratic political process.  You do this is a hands-on manner by playing the role of a legislator, attorney, judge, lobbyist, or journalist over the course of a three to four month Winter and Spring program. 

• As a participant, you, with others in the program, will first identify a community issue of concern and develop a written plan of action in consultation with local YMCA and participating school leaders and government officials. 
• Next, at a District Conference you will receive training in the legislative process, press relations and lobbying techniques and participate in a judicial seminar or model Appellate Court.
• In the third phase you will travel to Albany and participate in an intensive three day Albany Model Legislative Weekend in March at the State Capital, Legislative Office Building and Judicial Building.
• In Phase 4 you will meet with your local assembly member and senator to lobby for bills passed by the Model Legislature, resolutions of the Judicial Conference and executive actions proposed in the Executive Report produced in Phase 3.  More than eighty current New York State laws had their start in this program.

This program is open to teens in grades 9 to 12 at Nyack, North Rockland and Pearl River High Schools.

Students may continue with the program each year throughout their stay at high school.  Those who become Youth Officers and other outstanding participants go on to participate in the YMCA National Affairs Conference in Black Mountain, NC and the National Youth Governors Conference in Washington, DC. 

If you are interested in participating contact Chuck Maze at Cmaze0425@gmail.com or contact your school Youth & Government Advisor. Also you can visit www.nystateymcayag.org for a full description of the program.

Volunteering and Giving

The generosity of others is at the core of our existence. It is only through the support of our thousands of volunteers and public and private donors that we are able to give back to the communities we serve. click here for a volunteer application. Contact PDonnelly@rocklandymca.org for more information

Advocacy

We are a powerful ally and advocate for our communities. Our experience and strong relationships in neighborhoods across Rockland County mean that we are able to organize grassroots efforts and influence public policy around a range of social issues, including child welfare, education and public health.

Financial Assistance

How can you support your community? The Y’s commitment to living its charitable mission each and every day keeps us strong and focused. The Y works to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and give back and support our neighbors. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together. At the Y, strengthening community is our cause.

No child, family or adult is turned away here at the Y. We recognize that for communities to succeed, everyone must be given the opportunity to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. With your support, the Y’s scholarship program ensures that we are there for those in our community who need us most. Your support ensures that everyone, regardless of circumstances or inability to pay can benefit from the Y. Contributions to the “Y For All Program” supports important programs such as, membership, teens, before & after schoolchild care, preschool, youth sports, day camp, and aquatics. No gift is too small, and all donors can designate where their gift is used to support a specific program at the Y.