PROJECT GOAL

The overall goal of this project was to aid more students from the Willmar Lakes Area in being able to participate in the event. For many families, without the financial assistance, the cost would not be financially feasible. The funding from Vision 2040 along with additional private donors was used to help minimize the financial burden for our local participants.

PROJECT SUCCESS

Our local YMCA was able to secure funding from Vision 2040 and other generous supporters to reduce the families original cost of $550 down to $150 per participant. This is an intense and great learning experience. For the participants that were able to join, it was an opportunity to take a deep dive into how the government operates.

PROJECT FUTURE

As a part of the YMCA initiatives, this program will continue in the future with hopes to expand the program to get students involved with city and county meetings as well. Funding, however, will always be the continued challenge. The majority of the cost for the program is direct costs associated with hotel lodging and programming. It is with the aid of Vision 2040 funding and local supporters to further the trajectory of the program and reach more students.

This is an intense and great learning experience. For the participants that were able to join the local YMCA, this was an opportunity to take a deep dive into how the government operates. Skills learned from this experience will be taken with these students as they become informed members of society and choose their future professions. Maybe among these students we have a future politician?

To learn more about the YMCA Youth in the Government and other youth development programs, check out their website.