Child and parent swimming at YMCA

Advocate with the Y

Lasting positive change in your community is possible. As an advocate for the YMCA, you can take an active role in influencing policy that can help make your community stronger.

Influencing Policy and Your Community as an Advocate

When you advocate with the YMCA, you take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change for your family, neighbors and community. Having served our nation for nearly 175 years, the Y has a deep understanding of how to strengthen our communities. 

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2025 National Public Policy Priorities

YMCA of the USA’s public policy priorities advocate for changes that will help individuals in all communities thrive.  

Reach out to Y-USA’s Office of Government Relations and Public Policy: [email protected].

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    The Y is for Youth Development

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    At the YMCA, we believe that all kids deserve the chance to discover who they are and what they can achieve. We take a holistic approach in developing their social, emotional, academic and physical well-being. Each year, the Y serves millions of children in a variety of programs and activities. But we don’t just teach swimming or coach soccer, we help support strong kids with strong futures in thousands of communities across the country.

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    The Y is for Healthy Living

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    We have driven program innovation in a mission to create healthier, more balanced communities across the country. Our community health programs delivered in partnership with other health organizations and government agencies, are evidence-based, and designed to ensure that everyone can live a healthy lifestyle. 

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    The Y is for Social Responsibility

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    At the heart of the Y, there are millions of people committed to building a better future for their communities. We support policies such as tax incentives that promote charitable giving and reasonable reforms that promote good governance, accountability and transparency.

The Y's 2025 YMCA Advocacy Agenda

Our legislative priorities support federal investments in places and programs that are open to people of all generations, backgrounds and perspectives, and expand access to the resources, opportunities and relationships that everyone needs to thrive.

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    Supporting Working Families and Youth Development

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    • Support the highest level of funding possible for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
    • Support a $750 million increase for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC).
    • Support the highest level of funding possible for Head Start.
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    Addressing Community Needs

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    • Support the Summer Meals Act to strengthen USDA child nutrition programs.
    • Support the highest level of funding possible to the Department of Housing and Urban Development grant programs that support emergency, transitional and affordable housing.
    • Support a Farm Bill that helps Ys feed the whole family and serve rural communities.
    • Support the highest level of funding possible for the Full-Service Community Schools program.
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    Keeping Kids Safe

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    • Support $5 million for Drowning Prevention at CDC’s National Center on Injury Prevention and Control.
    • Support the highest level of funding possible at CDC’s National Center on Injury Prevention and Control for community violence prevention and firearm injury and mortality prevention research.
    • Support the RISE from Trauma Act, which addresses the mental health and wellness of young people and staff in youth-serving organizations.
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    Improving the Nation's Health

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    • Support the highest level of funding possible for CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
    • Support the Prevent Diabetes Act and administration-level fixes to improve the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expansion project at Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
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    Supporting Young People's Well-Being and Future Success

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    • Support the Youth Workforce Readiness Act to increase opportunities for youth to build knowledge and skills for the workplace. 
    • Support the PLAYS in Youth Sports Act to increase participation and promote safety in youth sports programs. 
    • Support the highest level of funding possible for the Youth Mentoring Program at the U.S. Department of Justice to help connect young people to opportunity. 
    • Support $100 million for the National Park Service (NPS) Youth Partnership Programs at the Department of Interior. 
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    Supporting Nonprofits and Civil Society

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    • Support the Charitable Act to encourage charitable giving and help nonprofits serve more people while lessening the burden on government programs. 
    • Support the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Extension Act.  
    • Support the Building Civic Bridges Act to support local bridgebuilding initiatives. 
    • Support meaningful, bipartisan deliberations on comprehensive immigration reform.

Advocacy News

  • Work at the Y

    It takes support of all kinds to sustain the many ways in which we work to strengthen communities. In addition to advocates, we also need people who are interested in turning their passion into a career at the Y.

  • Volunteer

    By volunteering at the Y, you can work alongside your neighbors in your own communities to impact lives and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive country.

  • Drive Change in Your Community

    We believe in the power of young people to create lasting change in their communities, which is why we offer programs and experiences that grow leadership skills and encourage civic engagement.