Embarcadero

Every year, from September through March, San Francisco teams come together to form California's most diverse delegation of Youth & Government participants.

In this YMCA program, they learn about how government is run at the city, state and judicial levels.

They are mentored by local lawyers, run for office and write and pass legislation that is often adapted for use by local legislators. This truly experiential program engages teens from disadvantaged neighborhoods and shows them career choices and leadership skills for life after high school.

This annual program engages urban youth in a hands-on approach to learning democracy. Teens from grades 10-12 spend 6 months researching the lawmaking process, how government works, and drafting legislation. After weeks of preparation with mentor lawyers, teens host a mock trial in the court room of District Court Judge Thelton Henderson. At Bill Hearing night, presided over by Mayor Gavin Newsom, teens write and pass bills that are often adapted by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The program culminates in a five-day model legislative session and court in Sacramento, complete with youth governor, youth justices and the enactment of legislation.