One of the most rewarding aspects of doing Y work is when people relay to me the deep, lasting impressions Y experiences have had on their lives. It happens regularly, in either casual conversations or in written communications. Sometimes the experience mentioned sounds somewhat benign, and other times it’s clear that the Y has been far more formative an influence, and in so doing leaves a more lasting impression. As readers of the MMU know, I didn’t have much of a Y story when I started in this role in 2006, but after 14 years of incredible stories (and loads of wonderful personal experiences as an adult), I have gained a profound appreciation for the power the Y can have on the trajectory of someone’s life.
Such is the case when I received a wonderful email over the weekend from Bobby Lindsey (who I did remember immediately; he was a very memorable young man, as you can imagine).
Here’s an excerpt from the email:
Hi John!
I hope that you and yours have been well & safe since we last spoke at the Baltimore GBC Dinner afew years ago! If you don’t quite remember me, I am an alumnus of the Y’s Youth & Government program (from 2009 - 2011). During my time as a participant, I served as Speaker of the House and the 2011 Youth Governor. After I graduated High School, I attended the University of Maryland and Harvard Law School. I now practice as a Private Equity Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts.
I am reaching out to you because I would like to give back to the Y&G program. I am forever indebted to this wonderful program for providing me with so much direction and inspiration in my young-adult life. I am truly grateful for everything I learned and the new friendships I made in the process that I still maintain until this day. But, above all else, I am grateful because I truly believe that the Y&G program helped me become a more informed, responsible citizen. In these tumultuous times, it has re-occurred to me just how important it is for future generations of Americans to understand and engage with the legislative process. I think we can all agree that our Democratic institutions must first be demystified in order for us to restore faith in them. And, needless to say, the Y&G program should continue to play a huge part in that.
His letter goes on to detail how he would like to give back to the Y and specifically how he would like to help other young people have the opportunity to experience Y Youth & Government the way he did.
Established in 1945 to teach the state legislative process to high school teens, Y Youth & Government is one of the oldest, continuously running Y programs in the U.S. Across the country, almost 25,000 students attend Y Youth & Government conferences each year with 3,300 adult volunteers and Y associates serving as their advisors. Our Youth & Government program in Maryland involves 250 high school students this year, the highest number in quite some time despite the fact that there is an all-virtual format this time around.
Participating youth from across the state typically meet with Y volunteer and associate coaches at Y sites for several months each winter, learning every aspect of state government and preparing for a three day immersion in Annapolis after the regular session ends in April where they "take over" the statehouse. They assume the roles associated with every aspect of the democratic process: elected officials, lobbyists, media and so on. The students draft and debate the merits of bills reflecting issues they care about. They vote on and pass laws. They learn the work of servant leadership and what democracy means. This is a life changing, memorable experience and each year a smaller group from Maryland also gets to participate in national Youth & Government conferences, attended by their peers from around the U.S.
Clearly, the Youth & Government experience made a profound impression on Bobby Lindsey. Something tells me he would have been successful no matter what, but the fact that someone as successful and serious about his life choices as he is wants to help other young people experience Y&G for years to come tells you everything about both Bobby Lindsey and the impact the Y can have.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland