Civic Learning Week Breakfast
Young people see democracy more clearly than many adults realize. They see dysfunction, partisanship gridlock, and decisions made without them about the world they'll inherit for the next 50 years. The numbers prove it. Sixty-nine percent of young people see a nation more divided than ever. Only 11 percent believe the country is generally headed in the right direction.
Adults often hear those numbers and diagnose youth disengagement. But that misreads what's happening. Young people care deeply about their communities. They have thoughtful ideas about what could work better. They want to contribute in meaningful ways.
We don’t need to convince young people to care. We need to create clear, accessible pathways that allow them to make a real and immediate impact.
Breakfast
On March 11, 2026, YMCA Center For Youth Voice hosted a breakfast in honor of Civic Learning Week. 10 State Legislators, representatives from the League of Women Voters, Civic League, business leaders, and friends of CYV gathered to listen to a panel of students reflect on their views of democracy.
Tenth grader, Landon Phan, and twelfth graders Mary Jensen and Maitreya Reeder answered questions from panel host, Mike Dean, who is the Midwest Regional State Policy Lead at iCivics.
Maitreya Reeder shared, “I am here because the youth are the solution, but we need people like you to listen to us to make those solutions come true.”
Mike Dean asked the students what they are seeing that adults don’t see. Mary Jensen shared, “Once our voices are heard, then there hope.” While Landon added, “We need to reach students where they are.”
For CYV Executive Director, Amy Anderson, her goal is to “position CYV as the premier civic organization in the state. Schools can’t do it all and CYV is here to support schools in civic education and promoting civic engagement.”
Natalie King, Director of Alumni Philanthropy for the YMCA attended the breakfast and said, “what an inspiring way to start the day! These students were so poised and confident. They had clear ideas and were able to articulate their opinions. Their energy was contagious! At the end of the event, I walked away feeling truly hopeful for the future of our country.”
