Teen Programming
Youth and Teen development
The YMCA is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. From cradle to career, the Y empowers young people to lead inspired, successful lives. The Y believes that young people deserve every opportunity possible to learn, grow and thrive. By connecting youth to their potential, purpose and each other, the Y empowers youth and teens to shape the communities of tomorrow, today.
See the our teen programs that are inspiring and engaging youth in our community!
BYMOC
MISSION
To ensure equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color by addressing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems, and creating nurturing environments that promote confidence and growth. Through the Boys and Young Men of Color strategy, the Ann Arbor YMCA is working to provide safe spaces for young leaders to express themselves, nurture their unique identities, and learn important life skills from caring adults.
Our Priorities
Our first strategic priority is Targeted Universalism, which results in focused and intentional efforts regarding giving each group of youth what they uniquely need in order to reach the youth development goals we have set for ALL of our youth. Click here to learn more.
Our second strategic priority is Collective Impact. Although our association’s name is the Ann Arbor YMCA, we have committed to serving all of East Washtenaw, this includes collaborating with and supporting community partners who already do this work so well.
Areas of Focus
Character Development
- Create experiences and environments that strengthen social-emotional competencies.
- Support character development across the Y’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.
BELONGING & COMMUNITY BUILDING
- Help them build healthy relationships with peers and adults.
- Foster their positive cultural- and self-identity.
- Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement.
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
- Help them develop healthy physical and eating habits.
- Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease.
- Combat their experiences with food insecurity.
BYMOC
MISSION
To ensure equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color by addressing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems, and creating nurturing environments that promote confidence and growth. Through the Boys and Young Men of Color strategy, the Ann Arbor YMCA is working to provide safe spaces for young leaders to express themselves, nurture their unique identities, and learn important life skills from caring adults.
Our Priorities
Our first strategic priority is Targeted Universalism, which results in focused and intentional efforts regarding giving each group of youth what they uniquely need in order to reach the youth development goals we have set for ALL of our youth. Click here to learn more.
Our second strategic priority is Collective Impact. Although our association’s name is the Ann Arbor YMCA, we have committed to serving all of East Washtenaw, this includes collaborating with and supporting community partners who already do this work so well.
Areas of Focus
Character Development
- Create experiences and environments that strengthen social-emotional competencies.
- Support character development across the Y’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.
BELONGING & COMMUNITY BUILDING
- Help them build healthy relationships with peers and adults.
- Foster their positive cultural- and self-identity.
- Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement.
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
- Help them develop healthy physical and eating habits.
- Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease.
- Combat their experiences with food insecurity.
Teen Youth Advisory Council
The Teen Advisory Council is a collective of youth ages 14 to 18 that work closely with the Ann Arbor YMCA’s Youth and Teen Department by providing their insights and recommendations on how best to engage teens in the greater Washtenaw area regarding emerging issues, current interests and resources needed for teens in the community. The council will also be given opportunities to create, implement and lead their own ideas as well as learn from staff within the YMCA.
Mission
The Ann Arbor YMCA’s Teen Department will engage teens in leadership opportunities that will allow the programs and services to be influenced by the voice of the youth in our community.
Vision
To have an integral part of our leadership team within the Teen Department be youth-led. In doing so, creating higher quality programs and services regarding the needs and desires of teens while providing leadership opportunities that help guide them through their development into adulthood.
Executive committee
Chair
The Chair of TAC will be the chief advocate for the council and teens in the community. Primary responsibilities will include facilitating meetings, preparing meeting agendas, and ensuring the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility are being followed within the council, all with the help and support of Teen Department staff.
Recruitment
The Co-Chair of TAC will be available to assist with, and when needed, assume responsibilities of the Chair. Primary responsibilities include preparing and sending out meeting notes and minutes.
Financial Officer
The financial officer of TAC will focus on the monetary aspects of TAC’s operation. With the assistance of staff, primary responsibilities include the monitoring, budgeting and raising of funds for TAC’s usage.
Subcommittees
Engagement & Advocacy
The responsibilities of the Engagement & Advocacy Subcommittee surround how best to engage teens in our community.
- Core Question: What should we be offering teens?
- Program innovation
- Development of new offerings
- Work with Membership Department
Recruitment
The responsibilites of the Recruitment Subcommittee focus on how the Ann Arbor YMCA can reach more teens from an outreach standpoint.
- Core Question: How do we get teens to know more about us?
- Social media, content creation
- School and community recruitment
- Work with Marketing Department
Service
The responsibilites of the Service Subcommittee will focus on serving the community at large as well as help with ideation and leadership of Youth Volunteer Corps.
- Core Question: How do we best serve and learn from the community around us?
- Service learning
- Developing YVC projects
- Fundraising for causes
- Work with Fundraising Department
Teen Center
The Teen Center is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM .
The Teen Center acts as a space for young adults to explore their creativity and interests, while building friendships and community.
A space designated for teens (12 – 16 years old) that operates as an after-school drop-in as well as a host for programming. Come play air hockey, ping pong, use the Switch, create crafts, or hang out. Free snacks are provided. Must have a Ann Arbor Y Membership or Day Pass to access the Teen Center.
Stay in the know
To stay in the know for Teen Center events and programming, follow us on social media
Seasonal programs
Current Offerings:
Babysitter Certification Course: This training equips teens with the necessary skills to keep children of all ages happy and engaged, to identify and guard against common safety hazards, as well as teach what to do in an emergency.
Teen Center
The Teen Center is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM .
The Teen Center acts as a space for young adults to explore their creativity and interests, while building friendships and community.
A space designated for teens (12 – 16 years old) that operates as an after-school drop-in as well as a host for programming. Come play air hockey, ping pong, use the Switch, create crafts, or hang out. Free snacks are provided. Must have a Ann Arbor Y Membership or Day Pass to access the Teen Center.
Stay in the know
To stay in the know for Teen Center events and programming, follow us on social media
Seasonal programs
Current Offerings:
Babysitter Certification Course: This training equips teens with the necessary skills to keep children of all ages happy and engaged, to identify and guard against common safety hazards, as well as teach what to do in an emergency.
Youth Volunteer Corps
Engages youth 11-17 in service team-based, structured, diverse, flexible service-learning opportunities. Learn more about the YVC national organization.
Arts and Culture
Projects with this focus promote the visual arts and the humanities. Examples of past projects include our Oil Pastel workshop.
Compassionate Communities
Projects with this focus promote a community’s basic needs, including social services aimed at promoting the overall quality of life for at-risk populations. Examples include the Babysitter Certification Course, Food Drive sorting, and partnerships with local hunger-relief non-profit Food Gatherers.
ECO Leaders
Youth-led leadership development program for teens who are passionate about combating climate change in their local community and abroad.
Education
Projects with this focus promote education among the population served by YVC youth. Examples include: reading with and tutoring younger children, hosting an after-school enrichment program for pre-K kids in a low-income community, conducting introductory computer classes at a nursing home.
Interested in partnering with YVC?
Healthy Lifestyles
Projects with this focus promote physical and mental well-being. Examples include :serving at community gardens, serving at a health-focused nonprofit, park and trail builds, mental health organizations.
STEM and Environment
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming focuses on environmental clean-ups, computer literacy, and projects that focus on science or math. Examples of past projects include water testing partnership with AquaChain and the Birkett Reimagined Project where .
Youth Volunteer Corps
Engages youth 11-17 in service team-based, structured, diverse, flexible service-learning opportunities. Learn more about the YVC national organization.
Arts and Culture
Projects with this focus promote the visual arts and the humanities. Examples of past projects include our Oil Pastel workshop.
Compassionate Communities
Projects with this focus promote a community’s basic needs, including social services aimed at promoting the overall quality of life for at-risk populations. Examples include the Babysitter Certification Course, Food Drive sorting, and partnerships with local hunger-relief non-profit Food Gatherers.
ECO Leaders
Youth-led leadership development program for teens who are passionate about combating climate change in their local community and abroad.
Education
Projects with this focus promote education among the population served by YVC youth. Examples include: reading with and tutoring younger children, hosting an after-school enrichment program for pre-K kids in a low-income community, conducting introductory computer classes at a nursing home.
Healthy Lifestyles
Projects with this focus promote physical and mental well-being. Examples include :serving at community gardens, serving at a health-focused nonprofit, park and trail builds, mental health organizations.
STEM and Environment
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming focuses on environmental clean-ups, computer literacy, and projects that focus on science or math. Examples of past projects include water testing partnership with AquaChain and the Birkett Reimagined Project where .
Interested in partnering with YVC?
Who we are
The Ann Arbor YMCA is a charitable association of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of children and teens, promoting healthy living, and supporting our neighbors. Each day, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the chance to learn, grow and thrive. The Ann Arbor YMCA’s mission is to put our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into action through facilities and programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Everyone is welcome
The Ann Arbor YMCA is a charitable association of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of children and teens, promoting healthy living, and supporting our neighbors. Each day, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the chance to learn, grow and thrive. The Ann Arbor YMCA’s mission is to put our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into action through facilities and programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Financial Assistance
Through the generous contributions of our donors, the Ann Arbor YMCA is able to provide financial scholarships that enable all members of the community to enjoy YMCA programs. Please let us know if we may serve you or your family in this way.
Questions?
For more information about Youth Development at the Ann Arbor YMCA, please contact, Senior Director of Youth Development, Kyla Hartwell at khartwell@annarborymca.org or 734.661.8012