TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Y Teens Tackle Advocacy And Legislation

For the first time since 2019, the Y took a group of teen leaders to meet with their Congressional Representatives to advocate for their communities and funding for youth programs.

Back in NYC, these teen leaders and dozens of their peers later gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall to discuss their policy proposals and hear from local elected officials about the legislative process. Teen policy recommendations included increasing accessibility on public transportation, making life skills classes part of the NYC Department of Education’s core curriculum, providing job opportunities and safer shelters for homeless individuals, increasing availability of free hygiene products for students, and improving the quality of school lunches.•

(top) l to r: Y Teen Counselors Eduardo Cajasmero and Mark Martinez, Youth Manhattan Borough President Lakshmi Raghunath, Program Manager of Citywide Teen Programs and Alumni Services Nicole Pellerano, Youth Bronx Borough President Kamren Page, Youth Deputy Mayor Edwin Velasquez, Youth Mayor Dianna Levans, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Youth Public Advocate/Brooklyn Borough President Ariana DeVito, Youth Queens Borough President Kadida Bocoum, Youth Comptroller Carter Crump, and YMCA of Greater New York President and CEO Sharon Greenberger; (left) Congress Member Nydia Velázquez speaks with Youth Mayor Dianna Levans about resilience and representation.

Congress Member Grace Meng talks with Sharon Greenberger, Youth Queens Borough President Kadida Bocoum, and Youth Deputy Mayor Edwin Velasquez about their experiences with Y programs like Teens Take the City, Leaders Club, and Rowe Scholars.

Congress Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chats with teens about the new YMCAs in the Bronx and teens belonging in the halls of Congress.

Congress Member Ritchie Torres celebrates making the cover of Community News with fellow Bronx resident and Youth Comptroller Carter Crump while Youth Manhattan Borough President Lakshmi Raghunath looks on.

l to r: Council Members Rita Joseph and Lincoln Restler join youth leaders Dianna Levins and Ariana DeVito, and Sharon Greenberger, at a Teens Take the City event.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso addresses Teens Take the City delegates at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Youth Queens Borough President and aspiring journalist Kadida Bocoum interviews Congress Member Gregory Meeks at an event at the Jamaica Y.