YMCA of Youngstown
YMCA OF YOUNGSTOWN
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LEADERS CLUB

About the Leaders Club Program

Goals of the Leaders Club Program

 
Leadership Skill Development:
To provide extensive leadership training and help teens enhance their abilities to lead and influence positive change in their communities.
Character Development:
To foster personal growth, positive character traits, and a strong sense of personal values in participants.
Volunteer and Community Service:
To encourage a lifelong spirit of service and volunteerism, connecting teens with opportunities to serve their Y and broader communities. 
Personal Growth & Social Development:
To promote social and emotional growth, help teens form positive relationships in a supportive club environment, and foster a sense of belonging. 
Healthy Lifestyle: 
To shape a healthy lifestyle in mind, body, and spirit through activities and discussions focused on overall wellness. 
Confidence & Positive Relationships: 
To build confidence, develop interpersonal skills, and provide teens with positive adult role models and mentors.
 

What Teens Get from the Program

  • Confidence
  • Skills for job/career success
  • Volunteer service hours for school, honor society, etc.
  • Strong sense of self and purpose
  • Resiliency and emotional maturity
  • College recommendations
  • A network of friends they’ll have for life
  • Exposure to diverse groups, backgrounds, cultures, and ideas
  • Caring adult role models both regionally and their home club advisor
Volunteers at a bake-sale table
Participants gathered outdoors beside a YMCA sign

Did you know?

Many YMCA’s often hire their Leaders Club teens as sports instructors, swim instructors, lifeguards, camp counselors and childcare staff. Some even end up as YMCA Professionals in Aquatics, Sports & Recreation, Camping, Childcare and other positions!

The Leaders Club Environment

Leaders Club is a welcoming, judgement-free environment that emphasizes positive peer relationships, provides hands-on learning experiences, and fosters growth through the YMCA’s Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. To this aim most clubs have the following ground rules.

  • One Mic – One person speaks at a time
  • Accept & Respect Others, their rights & opinions
  • Avoid Put Downs
  • Confidentiality
  • Option to Pass
  • Expect & Accept Unfinished Business
  • Speak for Yourself
  • You’re Responsible for Your Own Learning
  • Leaders Clubs are staffed by adult YMCA staff . It is a best practice at all YMCA’s to screen staff and volunteers through background checks and provide training in positive youth development principles and techniques.

The advisors help facilitate the program with club members, provide opportunities and training, and also chaperone teens on volunteer service trips, regional events such as rallies, and other club related activities.

Time & Commitment

Being a member of the Leaders Club requires commitment. Teens are expected to attend club meetings and activities, as well as volunteer at their Y or in the community. A key part of the program is that members take an active role in planning and leading club activities. Like many youth programs, the more time, effort, and energy a teen invests in Leaders Club, the more they will gain from the experience. 

Meeting times, club activities, and other commitments may vary by location. We encourage families to speak with their local YMCA Leaders Club advisor to understand the expectations of their specific program. 

DAVIS FAMILY YMCA

Grades

6th – 12th

WHEN

September – May (2025-2026)

Tuesdays Evenings : 6:00 – 7:00 pm

WHERE

Community Room 2

COST

$55 Members / $80 Non-members, for the school year

CONTACT

REGISTER

CENTRAL YMCA

AGES

For grades 12-18

WHEN

Thursdays 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM, Starting Sept 29 – May 25

WHERE

Training Room

COST

$45 Members / $50 Non-members, for the school year

CONTACT

Nick Gliha, Youth and Teen Director  ngliha@youngstownymca.org 330-744-8411 x 153 

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