Student YMCA

State Advocate Program

The Youth Advocate Program, or YAP, is a statewide advocacy training program for high school students (grades 9 -12) in Florida. As a hybrid (virtual & in-person) program, YAP breaks down barriers of distance and time, providing a space for our state's brightest and boldest young minds to connect and work together to expand their abilities to make a positive change in their state and local communities. Through an advanced curriculum of workshops, networking, and special projects, YAP student advocates develop real-world skills and work towards real-world action. 

YAP consists of sessions over several months, from December to March. Each session is an hour and a half long, and sessions will occur every month and increase the closer to State Advocacy Days. Alongside in-session workshops, YAP students will have assignments and projects to complete throughout the program’s duration, including one main project that will be the program’s culmination. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE & AGENDA

  • September 30th: Application Deadline
  • October 2025 - January 2026 | Virtual Training is required 
    • October 22nd: 2026 YAP Cohort Orientation & Foundations of Advocacy
    • November 5th: Lobbying vs. Advocating
    • November 19th: Builiding Relationships & Community Engagement 
    • December 19th: Understanding Government & Advocacy Tactics  
    • December 17th: Public Policy & Strategic Advocacy 
    • January 7th: Preparing for Advocacy Days
    • January 14th: Parent Meeting (Optional) 
  • January 18th- 22nd  | Location: Tallahassee, FL (Transportation Provided from Meet Up Spot) | YMCA State Advocacy Days

 

 

 

CURRICULUM

Throughout YAP, students will engage in activities that cover:

Learning about local, state, and federal issues  Networking and coalition building with peers
Building advocacy skills Building a resume of tangible advocacy work
Understanding government policy systems Working towards concrete change
Special guest and policy expert visits, including mentoring Building confidence in public speaking and communication
Developing skills in research Learning to advocate for a cause

 

APPLICATION INFORMATION 

YAP is a competitive, application-based program with a limited capacity. We are looking for a diverse pool of candidates and one that is representative of Florida as a whole. Applications must be submitted by September 30th 2025, and accepted students will be announced shortly after that.

 

Applications are currently closed for the 2026 Youth Advocate Program. More information on 2027 to come. 

 

 

Florida YMCA Locations Advocate for the YMCA