EMPOWERING TEENS TO LEAD, LEARN, & MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At the YMCA of Greenwich, we believe in nurturing the potential of every young person. Our Education & Leadership programs prepare teens for success in school, career, and life by helping them build confidence, discover their purpose, and learn how to make a positive impact in their communities.
Register for our new programs launching this Fall!
Y ACHIEVERS (GRADES 9-12)
Building Leaders of Tomorrow
- Kick Off Meeting: Wed, Oct 28
- First Club Meeting: Sat, Nov 7
Meetings are every other Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM; 1st Saturday of each month, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
- FREE YMCA Youth Membership while active in program
- $50 Registration Fee
- Financial Assistance Available
Y Achievers is a national YMCA program that helps high school students explore college and career pathways while developing leadership, academic, and life skills.
At the YMCA of Greenwich, participants meet monthly and take part in activities focused on mentorship, career exploration, academic support, and college and career readiness. Through guest speakers, networking opportunities, community service, and skill-building workshops, students gain valuable experience to prepare for life after graduation.
Highlights include a Spring Break College Tour, college fairs and tours, resume writing and interview preparation, and opportunities for personal and leadership development.
3 Career Clusters
- Non-Profit & Public Service | Nov. 11–Dec. 9
- Business & Entrepreneurship | Jan. 13–Feb. 17
- Biomedical, Public Health & AI | Mar. 3–Mar. 31
4 Meetings Per Cluster
- Meeting 1: Industry Introduction
- Meeting 2 & 3: Career Deep Dive
- Meeting 4: Cluster Wrap Up/Showcase
COLLEGE READINESS
- College 101 & Student Panels
- SAT Preparation
- College Tours
- Application Preparation & Essay Writing
- Financial Aid & FAFSA
CAREER EXPLORATION
- Career Cluster Exploration
- Industry Professionals & Guest Speakers
- O*NET Interest Profiler
- Resumes, Interviews & Professionalism
- Job Shadowing (summer)
LIFE & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Emotional Intelligence
- Executive Functioning
- Growth Mindset & GRIT
- Identity, Values & Goal Setting
- Mindfulness & Cultural Competency
- Relationship Management & Conflict Resolution
LEADERSHIP & CORE SKILLS
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Advocacy & Negotiation
- Community Service
- MLK Day of Service — Partnership with STAR
- Spring Break College Tour — La Salle • Temple • Villanova • University of Delaware
- Skill-Building Workshops — Executive Functioning, Emotional Intelligence, Public Speaking, Financial Literacy, Employment Readiness & College Readiness
- Networking & Career Exposure — Industry panels, networking luncheon, elevator pitches & job shadowing
- Final Capstone Project — Students identify a career cluster and develop a solution, product or service that could create meaningful impact within that industry; OR students can present how they plan to use identified skills to make an impact in a selected industry.
By the end of the program, Achievers will be equipped to:
- EXPLORE career and college pathways
- DEVELOP essential academic, professional and life skills
- CONNECT with professionals, mentors and peers
- LEAD through service and collaborative experiences
- CREATE innovative solutions to real-world challenges
- PLAN actionable next steps toward college and career success
YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT (GRADES 6-8)
Turn Thoughts Into Action
Begins Monday, November 16th! Meetings are weekly on Mondays from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM.
- FREE YMCA Youth Membership while active in program
- $50 Registration Fee
- Financial Assistance Available
The Connecticut YMCA Youth & Government program gives students the opportunity to step into the roles of legislators and leaders, debate real issues, write bills, and experience the democratic process firsthand.
This hands-on civic learning program allows you to explore how government works — not as a spectator, but as an active citizen. Students elect their own leaders, research and debate their own ideas, and support policies that reflect their values and vision for their communities.
The program culminates in a state-level conference where students gather in Hartford, CT to debate their bills on the floor of the legislature at the Connecticut State Capitol.
Y LEADERS CLUB (GRADES 6-12)
Developing Leaders Through Service
Begins Friday, September 25! Meetings are on Fridays, 4:30PM - 5:30PM.
- Leaders: Grades 6–8
- Sr. Leaders: Grades 9–12
Leaders Club is a nationwide YMCA program that gives teens the opportunity to become leaders and changemakers in their communities through service, mentorship, and personal development.
Participants meet weekly and follow a curriculum that focuses on seven key areas of growth: academic behaviors, belonging, growth mindset, interpersonal skills, problem solving, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy. Working in small groups, students design and lead projects that provide meaningful service to their local communities — gaining hands-on leadership experience along the way.
Each group is student-led and advisor-supported, allowing participants to grow as leaders throughout their middle school and high school years, while mentoring younger participants. Leaders Club welcomes all students who express interest. There are no academic requirements to join — instead, the program uses a strength-based approach that helps every participant build on their unique skills and abilities.
How Leaders Club Works
Leaders Club gives teens the opportunity to make a real difference in their community through hands-on service projects. Each month focuses on a new local cause, allowing participants to learn, serve, and see the impact of their efforts firsthand.
Monthly Program Structure:
- Week 1 Meeting: Learn about the community organization and service project
- Weeks 2–3 Meetings: Work together to complete the project
- Week 4 Meeting: Connect with or visit the organization you supported and see the impacted you made or perform an on-site service
To help fund these projects, participants will also sell concessions at swim meets and other YMCA events, building responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills along the way.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
We are committed to ensuring any family, regardless of financial status, feels welcome to sign up for membership and programs at the Y.
We are more than happy to walk families through the Financial Aid Application, via phone, email, or in person. This application can be submitted at any time and takes up to a week to process with the appropriate supplemental documents.
To learn more about the financial assistance we offer, visit our Financial Aid page.