Minneapolis – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is proud to announce that Shoreview teen Emi Ren will represent the community on a global stage at the 21st YMCA World Council, taking place July 19-24 in Toronto, Canada.
Ren, a sophomore at Princeton University studying public and international affairs, was selected for the YMCA of the USA Teen Mental Health Fellowship, a national initiative sponsored by Lyft that brings together young leaders from across the country to help shape youth-centered approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
“This is an incredible opportunity for young people to share their voices and experiences on a global platform,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “At the YMCA, we know that when young people are trusted with meaningful responsibility, they bring fresh ideas, inspire others and create lasting change. Emi exemplifies what’s possible when the next generation has the chance to step forward, shape the conversation and make an impact.”
Ren’s YMCA journey began in eighth grade through YMCA Youth in Government.
“After attending my first conference, I went from being fairly reserved to having confidence in my leadership skills, public speaking and ability to make a difference,” Ren said. “That experience inspired me to run for my first leadership position, and it opened the door to a multitude of incredible opportunities.”
Since then, Ren has served in several statewide leadership roles, including chief judge of trial courts for Youth in Government and chair of the State Steering Committee for Youth in Government and Model United Nations. She also served for two years on the YMCA Center for Youth Voice Board, where she helped provide a student perspective on youth civic engagement, promoted YMCA programs and supported scholarship fundraising.
For the Teen Mental Health Fellowship, Ren spent months working alongside YMCA leaders and peers from across the country to explore the challenges facing young people today, including stress, isolation and access to support systems. The cohort created guiding principles focused on empowering teens to lead, helping young people recognize and regulate emotions, and ensuring youth feel supported during life’s critical transitions.
“What drew me to the fellowship was that it was truly youth-centered, not just youth-informed,” Ren said. “Young people need to be part of the conversations and decisions that affect our lives.”
At YMCA World Council, Ren and the other Teen Mental Health Fellows will bring their research, collaboration and lived experience to an international audience of 1,300 YMCA leaders, volunteers, partners and young people from more than 70 countries, co-leading a global conversation on youth, belonging and mental health and helping shape solutions for stronger, more connected communities worldwide. Ren will help facilitate the closing discussion, inviting participants to consider how they can apply the fellowship’s ideas within their own YMCAs and communities.
“I feel like attending World Council to advocate for youth mental health is fulfilling a promise to my younger self and to young people everywhere who need to know their struggles are valid,” Ren said. “I hope this experience inspires more youth-led mental health initiatives and reminds people that everyone has mental health. Even small acts of kindness and advocacy can create a ripple effect.”
The Teen Mental Health Fellowship is part of the YMCA’s commitment to youth development and community wellbeing, ensuring young people feel seen, supported and empowered to lead positive change in their communities and around the world.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 170 years ago, the Y seeks to be the leader in experiences that foster wellbeing for people and communities. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.