Haniya Mohammad grew up visiting the Y. But, more importantly, it's where she found her voice.
A member of the Mt. Laurel YMCA, she first came as a swimmer. But it wasn't until she joined the Youth Civic Engagement program that her confidence truly began to grow. Before, Haniya often held back. Unsure of herself, she was hesitant to speak up even in Model United Nations, a program built around debate and advocacy.
Haniya rose to the challenge. Through Youth Civic Engagement, she began competing in Model UN conferences, learning to articulate her ideas, hold her ground, and advocate for causes she believed in. Her parents noticed a change too, trusting her with new opportunities, including overnight conference trips that expanded her worldview.
Today, Haniya describes the Y as a family — one that empowers young people to believe their voices matter. "The Y showed me that my opinions are valid," she says. "It helped me grow into someone who isn't afraid to speak up."
Haniya isn't holding back anymore. She's leading.
The Y offers a variety of teen leadership programs including Youth Civic Engagement, college readiness programs, and workforce mentorship opportunities. Click the link below for more info.