Our Mission
To shape and secure the future of democracy by preparing young people for a life of informed, active citizenship.
Our Approach
The Center for Youth Voice directly engages students in hands-on experiences to narrow learning opportunity gaps and build civic literacy and leadership knowledge, interests, and skills. From a child’s first vote to a youth’s first community leadership role and beyond, our programs and activities are guided by four core principles:
- Participants’ voices are encouraged, valued and incorporated to the fullest extent possible
- The experiences, knowledge, perspectives and concerns of participants are incorporated to the fullest extent possible
- Participants learn by doing, with a focus on collective action
- Participant reflection and analysis are central to the process.
The Center for Youth Voice is a function of the YMCA of the North. It is funded in part through a grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the citizens of Minnesota