08-05-2025
7 Gateway Region YMCA programs designed to help St. Louis teens learn, grow and thrive
On any day nationwide, millions of youth leave school without a supervising adult. That leads to, among other issues, boredom. A 2003 survey of teens and parents found that bored teens reported making poorer choices. Teens who are engaged increase their academic skills, engage other teens and contribute positively to the community. That is why it is incumbent upon our community to engage teens in positive activities and provide constructive opportunities that foster positive growth toward adulthood.
The Y is committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to become a healthy, contributing member of society. The Y has always focused on meeting the social, emotional and academic needs of our youth and teens so they can grow into the changemakers of tomorrow. The need is particularly great within communities where safe after-school activities can be unavailable to families.
The Gateway Region Y serves more than 20,000 youth and teens each year through sports, child care, camp and safe activities for teens. Over the next three years, our goal is to engage with over 5,500 teens through workforce development, academic assistance, civic engagement, violence prevention and mental health and well-being programs. Some of the ways we are doing that include:
1. Teen Nights Out
Teen Nights are designed for teens to kick back, hang out and have fun with friends at a Y location. Teens enjoy food, games, movies, open gym, the pool and more. Local Ys host special theme nights so there is always something new.
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2. Youth and Government
Believe it or not, only 1 out of every 3 high school seniors are proficient in civic knowledge.* That is one reason the Y runs the Youth and Government (YAG) programs, which provide students the opportunity to experience the democratic process and develop the leadership skills needed to become citizens of a participatory society. Missouri YAG is for grades 8-12; Illinois YAG is for grades 9-12, with 358 teens participating in this program last year.
3. Junior Leadership
The Junior Leadership Program at the Gateway Region YMCA is an experiential leadership development program for high school juniors in the St. Louis Metro area meant to expose them to what it means to be an informed, civically engaged leader within the nonprofit and public sectors. This is a nine-month program consisting of 10 meeting sessions — a parent orientation, a retreat, a graduation and seven full-day learning sessions. Participants are introduced to various social service organizations, develop 21st-century leadership skills and apply their learning through a service project. Included in their participation is a college scholarship from University of Missouri-St. Louis upon completion of the program.
4. The Mobile Y
The Gateway Region YMCA and the City of St. Louis have launched The Mobile Y, which includes three mobile DJ units, video games, the School of Beats curriculum for training, STEAM programming, recreational games such as kickball, soccer, card games and cornhole, and free resources including housing assistance, utility assistance, mental health care and food access. Funded through the Office of Violence Prevention using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Mobile Y brings these free resources to teens and youth 18 and younger in the City of St. Louis and their communities, especially those most impacted by gun violence. It provides a unique opportunity for youth and communities who can't easily access physical Y locations to still engage with all the Y has to offer.
5. BYMOC Achievers Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC)
BYMOC is a college readiness, career exploration and life preparation program which provides students of color with the essential tools to pursue higher education, define life goals and identify different career opportunities.
6. CIT Program Counselors in Training (CITs)
CITs are provided firsthand experience working with campers and the opportunity to cultivate skills and knowledge in the day camp setting. The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for teens to build leadership skills.
7. Leaders Club
Leaders Club is a program for teens that provides opportunities for personal and professional development. They plan service projects, prepare for upcoming events and vote on which types of development opportunities they would like to attend.
Studies show that being involved in community-based activities improves a teen's mental health and facilitates a sense of personal achievement, fulfillment and connection to others. Please consider joining with the Y to find out how you can make our community stronger by helping create opportunities for teens to reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body.
Learn more at or by calling 314-436-1177.
The Gateway Region YMCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Serving more than 260,000 members and program participants, the Y offers 24 health and wellness branches, operates in close to 100 community sites and includes YMCA Camp Lakewood and Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri, and the Campus Y student leadership facility at Washington University. The Gateway Region YMCA provides $2.4 million in financial assistance annually to those who otherwise could not afford its services. The organization also employs more than 4,000 full-time and part-time individuals and engages more than 1,100 volunteers annually. The Y is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
