Welcome to Student Y, the student-led program that empowers middle and high school students to make a meaningful impact in their local and global communities! If you're passionate about creating positive change, developing leadership skills, and engaging in service learning projects, then Student Y is the perfect opportunity for you.
Student Y is open to students in grades 6-12 and serves as a platform for schools and community organizations to foster compassionate community leaders. See our upcoming Student Y events below.
Already a Student Y member? Want more? Check out the Student Y Council information at the bottom of this page.
Student Y Membership is NOT affiliated with any Gym/Recreation YMCAs.
Exclusive Student Y Membership Benefits
Get ready for a whirlwind of perks that’ll make your student life even more fantastic!
First up, mark your calendars for the highlight of the year: our legendary Student Y Retreat! Picture this—a getaway packed with professional development, top-notch training, and endless opportunities to level up your skills. It’s not just a retreat; it’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
But that’s just the beginning. As a Student Y member, you’ll unlock access to exclusive, member-only programming designed just for you. From connecting with peers through Y-Pals, to celebrating at our exciting kick-off event, to receiving surprise HappY Mail, there’s always something to look forward to. Add in Game Days, watch parties, and hands-on workshops, and you’ve got a full calendar of fun, connection, and growth all year long!
Membership also means you’re part of something bigger. Not only do you join our statewide Student Y member program, but you’ll also gain access to a local Student Y chapter—often right in your own school—giving you even more opportunities to get involved, lead, and make an impact close to home.
At the heart of the Student Y experience are our three focus areas, which guide everything we do:
Civic Engagement – Make your voice heard and your impact count! Members lead initiatives like voter registration drives at their schools or online, access trainings and resources through the Student Y Portal, and can even work toward earning recognition like the Frederick Douglass Award.
Servant Leadership – Turn compassion into action. Student Y chapters partner with local organizations and take part in meaningful service projects like Shoes for Water, helping provide clean water to communities around the world while building a lifelong commitment to service.
Professional Development – Build the skills that set you apart. Through workshops, trainings, and hands-on experiences, members grow as empathetic leaders while developing real-world skills that prepare them for the future.
And wait, there’s more! As a Student Y member, you’re eligible for an exclusive $10 discount on all other Kentucky YMCA Youth Association programs. That’s right—save money while still diving into all the incredible experiences we offer.
Oh, and did someone say swag? You bet! Show off your Student Y pride with access to exclusive member merchandise. From stylish tees to must-have accessories, you’ll be repping Student Y in style.
Plus, we’re bringing the experience online! Gain access to our member-only Google Classroom, where you’ll find special updates, Student Y Bulletins filled with insider info, and helpful resources to keep you informed, connected, and empowered.
So what are you waiting for? Join the Student Y crew today and let the adventure begin!
Note: While Student Y membership includes many great benefits, some programs, events, and merchandise may involve additional costs.
Click the plus signs to learn more about our Student Y Focus Areas
Does Your School Have a Student Y Chapter?
Get the most out of your membership by participating in your school's Student Y Chapter!
- Member discounts to KY YMCA Youth & Government conferences, as well as to our Character Development conferences and programs.
- Access to Student Y only events and programs such as Student Y Retreat, Watch Parties, Y-Pals, several senior only events, and more!
- Access to the Student Y Manual. A guide that includes everything a Chapter needs to successfully run during the course of the year. Sections include how tos on voter registration drives, running meetings, planning community service and more!
- Streamlined curriculum access to a National network of youth development and service-minded partners, including Waterstep, TED-Ed, and more.
- Access to MobileServe, a national service organization that allows Chapters to easily track the service hours completed by their members. Additionally MobileServe can create a service resume for members to turn in alongside college or internship applications.
- Technical assistance and support from Y-Staff members, who can assist with recruitment, voter registration, MobileServe support, training videos and webinars, and more.
- A chance to engage with a network of over 150 Student Y Chapters across Kentucky, through conferences, monthly Student Y bulletins, and collaborative service.
Students who participate in Student Y Chapters are able to:
- Define and put into practice meaningful servant leadership
- Understand the legislative process on a local and global scale
- Develop strong public speaking, professional writing, and digital media skills
- Build empathy for a diversity of experiences and cultures
- Build positive culture and a spirit of collaboration within their schools
Need more info about setting up or joining a school chapter? Contact Vontella today!
What Student Y Participants Say ...
“Student Y has by far been the most transformative program I have ever been involved in! I have participated in just about every student Y program offered to me from trainings to leadership conferences to youth and government conferences to service trips and they all changed me in multiple ways. The Y has taught me leadership and has given me life long friends. Going to any Y conference has always felt like a family reunion of sorts and they always gave me confidence that lasted beyond the conference into my daily life!”
- Anna Hearne, Class of 2020
“A lot of organizations will create leaders, but the focus of the Y is serving other people first. And using any power you acquire to help other people and not putting yourself first. That is really important to me.”
- Shreeya Auroa, 2022
“The Y is a place where people our age can bounce tangible solutions to challenges off of each other. We also leave our reservations and biases we may have against people and transcend those thoughts to become better individuals.”
- Landin Stadnyk, 2022
“For me, I was most impacted by character development. When I joined, I was really quiet and shy but the Y has really helped me come out of my shell. I’m much for confident now because of the Y.”
- Celia Dawehare, 2022
Upcoming Student Y Events and Programs
Y-Pals is a 14-week, semi-virtual program that brings together Student Y members from across the Commonwealth to build meaningful connections, have fun, and create lasting memories—for just $20. Participants are placed in small peer groups, creating a supportive space to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another throughout the program.
Y-Pals 2026 Registration is now closed.
Y-Pals Kickoff Event
We’re starting the program in person to set expectations, review etiquette, and—most importantly—put faces to names before the virtual sessions begin. Drum roll, please… our 2026 kickoff will take place at Main Event in Louisville, KY for a day of bowling and fun! The cost of lane rental, shoes, and snacks is all included.
HappY Mail
Mail day just got more meaningful. Along with the excitement of receiving fun mail from your Y-Pal, participants will learn practical, real-world skills like how to properly address an envelope, understand postage, and time mail delivery. This experience supports our ongoing work to increase familiarity with the postal system. An important skill we’re finding young adults lack when submitting mail in ballots on the college campuses we work on!
Y-Pals Game Day
Each year, we alternate between a friendly game of kickball and flag football. Since last year was kickball, flag football is back! (And don’t worry—we’ve heard the buzz about ultimate frisbee and pickleball, too.)
The $20 Y-Pals registration fee covers:
- Program materials: Mail, Postage, and Relevant How Tos
- Bowling Kickoff Event and Snacks: Shoe and Lane Rental
- Flag Football Jersey and Lunch
- A Commemorative (2026 PARTICIPANT ONLY) Y-Pals Lapel Pin
Y-Pals is more than a program—it’s a chance to connect, grow, and have fun with Student Y peers from across Kentucky.
Student Y Retreat
Our legendary Student Y Retreat is a getaway packed with professional development, top-notch training, and endless opportunities to level up your skills. It's not just a retreat; it's an adventure you won't want to miss!
- Character Development Mini Sessions
- Community Service Planning: How to Survey the Needs of Your Community
- Conference Prep: Getting Ready for KYA and KUNA
- Fundraising 101
- Student Y Culture
Dates: To Be Announced
Student Y Fall Watch Party
This fall we will be traveling to a few football games where two Student Y Chapters are playing each other. We’ll be there an hour before game time with pizza and games! Tickets to join us are $5 and include 2 slices of pizza, this year’s Student Y Wristband, and a game day button. Tickets will go on sale 1 week before each game.
Student Y Workshops
Student Y Members can pick from a few different workshops that will be offered over the course of the school year!
More events to be announced soon!
Student Y Council
The Student Y Youth Council is a group of Student Y Members (8th grade and above) and recent graduates that work together to steer the development of Student Y. The Student Y Council is composed of Student Y Chapter Officers and committee members of the 5 following committees: Civic Engagement, Community Service, Media and Marketing, Outreach and Development, and Social Media. Meeting once every month as a full team, each member of the council will take on a variety of projects tailored to their individual skills and passions. Different levels of time commitment are welcome! Students from 8th grade to college who are passionate about Student Y, service, civic engagement, and more are invited to learn more! If you are interested in joining the team email vontella@kyymca.org.