Teen Leaders Club

Attention Teens interested in helping the community, learning great leadership skills, and making friends that will last a lifetime.  In Leaders Club teens get the opportunity to meet with their peers and discuss issues that are important to them.  They get the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills while volunteering in the community and at the YMCA. Teens also get to attend leadership retreats three times a year at other YMCA’s in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey or Maryland.  The whole year ends with the Teen Leadership Training School during an entire week in the summer where teens get the opportunity to meet with other really cool teens for PA, DE, MD, NJ and learn things like public speaking, program planning, team building, and most importantly the four character development traits of HONESTY, RESPECT, CARING and RESPONSIBILITY.  Leaders Club meets every Tuesday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the PARTY ROOM.  Participants must have a minimum of a program membership.

Anyone interested can call Theresa Hopkins at 215-628-9950 ext 1540.

Youth Service Corps (Grades 6-12)

Do you care about our planet?  Do you want to make a difference?  Then join the YMCA Earth Service Corp.  Participants will learn various ways to help SAVE OUR PLANET.  They will plan, implement and care out activities in the Ambler Area to promote a healthier environment for all. 

If you are an adult and are interested in spear heading this group or a youth wanting to register, please call Theresa Hopkins at 215-628-9950, ext 1540.

 Y Achievers

What is Y Achievers?

Y Achievers is a program that was built on the notion that community and corporate involvement are critical to building networks and opportunities for youth, especially those from underserved communities. To that end, the program centers on the relationships established between volunteer mentors and youth through specialized career development networks and workshops.

History of Y Achievers

YMCA Black Achievers Program was launched in 1971 at the Harlem YMCA by Dr. Leo B. Marsh, a financial consultant with the YMCA of Greater New York. The purpose of the program was to motivate African American youth to set education and career goals. The Harlem YMCA sought to achieve these objectives by creating a forum to foster ongoing interaction between African-American youth and adults who had distinguished themselves in their professions.

In 1991, the YM CA of Philadelphia & Vicinity implemented the Achievers program in its inner city branches. In 1994, the program was expanded to several suburban Philadelphia branches, enhancing mentoring opportunities and serving over 150 minority youth in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Why We Need Y Achievers

Education statistics show that high school drop out rates are higher among African-American and Hispanic students compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Research also shows that teens are more motivated to success academically when encouraged and guided by adults who look like them. The Y Achievers program addresses these issues by pairing students with successful role models of color and providing academic and career-related mentoring and support services.

How Y Achievers Works

Teens, by nature are struggling to define their identities. The Y Achievers program taps into this natural curiosity to connect youth with adult role models with similar cultural and racial backgrounds in an effort to help guide the Teen Achievers toward bright and secure future.

The core component of the program is relationship building between the volunteer Adult Achievers and the Teen Achievers during career cluster workshops. Clusters workshops are dedicated to specific areas of professional interest. Teen Achievers work with Adult Mentors, who are experts in their fields, to complete projects that are designed to provide students an opportunity to explore their career interest through real-life applications of skills.

Y Achievers current career clusters include:

• Arts & Entertainment
• Business
• Communications
• Computer & Technology
• Education
• Entrepreneurship
• Health & Medicine
• Human Services
• Law & Government
• Science & Engineering

Get Involved With Y Achievers

Teen Achievers

The Y Achievers program is open to youth in middle and/or high school from all social, economic and academic levels. The program is offered at free of charge and Teen Achievers are eligible for a discounted YMCA membership. Teen Achievers must submit an application, along with a copy of their most recent report card. The only requirement for youth participation in the Y Achievers program is a desire to succeed in school and pursue an advanced academic education.

Adult Achievers

Volunteer Adult Achievers are crucial to the on-going success of the Y Achievers program. Adult Achievers are often nominated for the Y Achievers program by their employers and/or colleagues. Responsibilties of an Adult Achievers include facilitating workshops and career clusters, mentoring, providing career advice and hosting a worksite tour. Adult Achiever volunteers demonstrate high standards in both their personal and professional lives, and possess the desire to inspire young adults.

Y Achievers cluster workshops are held the first and third Saturday of every month, from October through June. Cluster workshops are conducted from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM at Drexel University.

For more information about getting involved with Y Achievers, contact Avery Ross, Y Achievers Director, at (215) 235-6440 ext. 1711.

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

The Y Achievers program affords local businesses and corporations an opportunity to participate in the academic, professional and cultural development of Philadelphia-area youth. Local business support the Y Achievers by hosting worksite tours, encouraging employees to become Adult Achievers and making financial contribution to ensure the continued success of the program.

Current corporate sponsors include:

• Drexel University
• Rohm & Hass
• ACE –USA
• Charlie Kahn, Jr.
• Comcast Foundation
• Towers Perrin
• Sunoco, Inc.
• Crown Cork, Inc.

For more information about business and corporate involvement with Y Achievers, contact Avery Ross, Y Achievers Director, at (215) 235-6440 ext. 1711.