NJ YMCA Youth and Government (YAG) - March 2026 Newsletter

2026 NJ Youth and Government kicked-off this past Sunday with our Pre-Legislative event where over 200 students from across the state came together to build community, learn parliamentary procedure and all about bill writing, and had the opportunity to hear from our FIVE youth gubernatorial candidates during their Whistle Stop Campaign Trail and Closing Press Conference. One of our opening convocations included a speech by delegate Yash Kanda of YMCA of the Jersey Shore. This event was organized with the support of our thirty student leaders and dedicated alumni who help ensure the program continues year over year. Learn more about our youth candidates by following this link or going to njyag.org.

How Youth and Government Formed Me into Who I am Today

by Casey Fugere, St. Joseph's

“Throughout my life, I have always struggled to find my voice among my peers. As I grew up, making friends proved difficult in a community that I struggled to fit in with.

In April 2023, I embarked on my first Youth and Government conference with little to no idea of what to expect. Sure, I did MUN in January, but I was doing something completely different from General Assembly A, in joining the Press Corps. Around this time, I started digging my heels into something that would become one of my passions, in photography. The experience that I had throughout that fateful weekend in April gave me that voice that I had been seeking for my entire life.

This program helped me grow and mature from a kid struggling to find his identity, to one that is confident in himself and his abilities, and that YAG moment has changed who I am for the better.” 

Read Casey’s full story at njyag.org/blog

Interested in learning more or getting involved? Fill out this form to partner with us, check out our current program locations or reach out to yag@njyalliance.org and learn more!