A program of the Ohio Alliance of YMCA’s, Ohio Youth & Government is a student run, student led model government program for teens across the state of Ohio.
Based in the YMCA’s five pillars for teen programming, our goal is to provide leadership training to meet the needs of a democratic society and to develop an understanding and awareness of Ohio state government. We aim to strengthen young people and communities through emphasizing character development and the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in all that we do. Also to create an inclusive environment in which students develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of others. Our motto is “Democracy must be learned by each generation.”
We provide the content and resources for delegations (schools and YMCA’s) to organize locally throughout the Fall to prepare for our Spring State Assembly in Columbus. We welcome 7th-12th grade students. The middle school program features a legislative experience and the high school program includes various program areas in which students can get involved: Legislature, Appellate Court, Governor’s Cabinet, Lobbyists, Media, Oversight, Secretary of State’s Office, and Supreme Court. These program areas model the systems that make our democracy run.
Are you interested in more information and are a new delegation? Please email yg@ohioymcas.org.
Our Delegations
Our Staff
Director of Teen Leadership & Civic Engagement – Mary Burleson
Mary grew up in Eaton Rapids, Michigan and is an alumni of the YMCA Michigan Youth in Government program, where she took part in the legislative program area and attended the Conference on National Affairs. Mary has volunteered with Michigan’s program since 2005 and served as Chair of their Alumni Association from 2011-2013.
Mary attended Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University. In college she was Vice Chair of the student government and participated in marching band as part of the color guard section. She graduated with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science and a minor in Spanish from MSU, along with a secondary education certification, in 2010. Mary received her MA in Teaching and Curriculum from MSU in 2014.
Mary has a range of educational experience teaching high school social studies at Everett High School, Mason High School and Michigan Virtual. She also taught middle school social studies in Kalamazoo Public Schools. While teaching in Kalamazoo, she created a middle school YG delegation and brought her students to Michigan’s conference for several years. Currently she is a color guard coach for Eaton Rapids High School.
Contact Information
Email: yg@ohioymcas.org
Phone Number: (614) 407-4819
Facebook: Facebook.com/OhioYMCAYG
Instagram: Instagram.com/ohioymcayg/