Published: 06/12/2026 - 8:00 AM
PHILADELPHIA, PA — June 12, 2026 — The Greater Philadelphia YMCA (The GPY) will bring 75 to 100 students to Philadelphia City Hall on June 17, 2026, for a full-day City Government Youth Summit, hosted in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, and Philadelphia City Council. Running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event will give participants in the Y’s Youth and Government (YAG) program a rare, hands-on opportunity to engage directly with their city’s elected leaders, explore the workings of local government, and put their own legislative skills to the test.
Students will be divided into branches — Executive, Legislative, Stakeholder, and Press — mirroring the structure of real government. The day will open with branch-specific orientations and small-group meetings, including a Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting in the City Council Chambers and a City Council Meeting in the Caucus Room. The full group will reconvene mid-morning for a City Hall Welcome before moving into a Cross-Branch Negotiation session, where delegations will work across roles to debate and advance mock legislation. The afternoon will feature a City Council General Session in the Council Chambers, a student-led Press Conference, and a Closing Ceremony — all held in spaces that form the real working heart of Philadelphia’s government.
"Philadelphia has a big year ahead in 2026, but no investment is more important than the one we make in our young people," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "That's why I am proud to welcome these students to City Hall, engage directly with them, and give them a firsthand look at public service in action. Their ideas matter, their voices matter, and they are helping shape the future of our city right now."
“As Philadelphia City Council President, I am committed to making sure every Philadelphian, including our young people, have a real voice in their local government," Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) said. “Too many young people feel disconnected from the political process. By opening these City Council chambers and creating opportunities to learn how democracy works in practice, Councilmembers are helping develop the next generation of leaders and giving young people the tools and confidence to shape Philadelphia's future."
The event marks a significant milestone for the Y’s Youth Civic Engagement (YCE) program — spotlighting the growing footprint of the Y’s civic education work across the city. YCE is part of the Y’s NextGen suite of teen-focused leadership and development programs, which also includes Model United Nations, Y Achievers, and Teen Workforce Development, among others. Through the NextGen portfolio of programs, students develop character, strengthen their social-emotional skills, and cultivate a community with their peers.
"Investing in its youth is the highest-return investment any community can make. It's been a principle of the YMCA since our founding,” says Shaun Elliott, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. “Today is an important milestone for our Youth and Government program, and a testament to what's possible when we unite in a common goal: making sure every young person in this city has access to the experiences they need to grow — socially, emotionally, and civically — with the voice and confidence to shape the world around them. We are grateful to Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson, and the City of Philadelphia's leadership for opening these doors."
In YCE specifically, students in grades 6–12 learn about systems of government, engage with local elected officials, advocate for positive change in their communities, draft and debate legislation, and run for mock office. More than 600 students across Pennsylvania and 400 across New Jersey participate in the program each year. In Philadelphia, YCE operates at several Y branches — including Christian Street, Columbia North, Roxborough, and West Philadelphia — as well as through school partnerships with institutions including Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, Mastery Charter Schools, Vaux Big Picture High School, and the Philadelphia High School for Girls, among others.