YMCA Changemakers Project

Every year, YMCA of the USA calls on high school students (rising 9th-11th graders) to propose a YMCA Changemakers Project that addresses a critical issue or need in their communities. The issue/need you select is entirely up to you, but should be directly connected to your local community – it can have national/global importance, but must have a specific local context.

This 3 day conference takes every June and is hosted by YMCA of the USA. Information about the specifics and logistics of the YMCA Changemakers Summit can be found through your local YMCA teen program.

Qualifications

High school students (grades 9-11) are invited to propose a YMCA Changemakers Project that addresses a critical issue or need in their communities. YMCA of the USA will select outstanding proposals from across the country to compete for funding to implement their projects.

The issue/need you select is entirely up to you, but should be directly connected to your local community. Each project must be led by two (2) student project leaders. Additional students from your community are encouraged to support the project, but only two students can apply as leaders.

  • All high school students (grades 9-11) are eligible to submit a project proposal (all proposals must only have 2 project leaders). Must have an active and current relationship with a YMCA either through a YMCA program, membership or employment.
  • Proposals selected to compete for funding will be notified following the deadline.

Application Process

Forty (40) project teams of two (2) students each will be selected to attend the YMCA Changemakers Summit. At the conference, the two Project Leaders from each state will present their proposal, and all attendees will help select three (3) winning teams to receive $5,000 each in funding to implement their project.

Interested students must complete two steps to submit their Changemakers Project for consideration:

Step 1: Project Leader Application

One of your 2 (two) Project Leaders must submit this application.

Step 2: Project Proposal

After completing Step 1, both Project Leaders should then work together to jointly submit their Project Proposal. This form is all about your project and will be evaluated on the basis of content knowledge, community need, innovation, impact, and a feasible action plan.

Application & Proposal Deadline:
Applications are open in January.

Program Fees & Transportation

Y-USA covers travel, lodging, and conference registration costs for attendees and YMCA Staff chaperones, as well as most meals. Y-USA will not cover the cost of any meals during travel to and from the conference, or any local transportation.

Learn More

Read past year’s selected Changemaker Projects from a Texas Delegate below.

2024 Changemakers Summit

NATIONAL FINALIST RECEIVED $5,000 IN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROJECT

Annika Singh & Zoe Moreno
Greater Austin YMCA
Squads, not Screens

During the pandemic, kids developed the habit of getting lost in online communities (which can be harmful or predatory), and that has translated into a lack of student initiative to grow communities within their real-life schools. This has led to a vicious cycle of isolation, weakened community, and deteriorating mental health. We firmly believe that teenagers will choose connection with real-life friends over any entertainment or community the Internet could give if their environment offers it. Therefore, our approach involves promoting club expansion with direct material purchase, marketing assistance, and ‘How to Grow Your Club’ seminars, an organization of school-wide bonding events such as trash clean-ups, special assemblies, movie nights, and dances, and finally, selected ambassadors at multiple schools who provide quality workshops which educate teenagers how to detect negative (potentially extremist) online communities, escape, and instead positively contribute to their communities. We expect increased school spirit, club involvement, improved teen mental health, and stronger local ties that foster the health of our overall national identity.

NATIONAL FINALIST RECEIVED $5,000 IN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROJECT

Jaabili Mallampati & Nandini Potturi
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Have Faith in Your Doctor

Have Faith in Your Doctor is an app that uses AI to connect users with doctors who respect their religious beliefs, while also offering easy appointment scheduling with matched doctors. By leveraging user input regarding religious preferences and healthcare requirements, the app employs machine learning to generate a personalized list of compatible doctors. Additionally, it offers detailed profiles of each practitioner, including their adherence to specific religious doctrines and any relevant certifications or specializations. Through smart algorithms, the app simplifies scheduling based on both user preferences and doctor availability, providing efficient access to religiously aligned healthcare services.

Michelle Phan & Zoey Tran
Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
Pushing to Minimize Underage Drinking

Our project aims to tackle a recurring problem within many communities, underage drinking. We want to create a program that will address all the negative issues it can bring to youth and future generations. We plan to recognize what we can do with the bad in our community and turn it into something positive so many young people can know the risks and how to overcome the pressure of being involved with alcohol.

Emaan Syed & Kayleen Ramos
YMCA of Greater Houston
Digital Literacy Family Services

“Digital Literacy Family Services” is a workshop initiative aimed at providing essential digital education to low-income immigrant families in Southwest Houston, Texas. Through interactive sessions, participants learn fundamental digital skills such as navigating the internet, using email, and accessing online resources. The workshop will utilize a custom website (https://kayleenramoskr.wixsite.com/digital-literacy-fam) as a central hub for resources, furthering accessibility and enabling participants to continue learning beyond the sessions. Led by knowledgeable instructors, this initiative offers a welcoming space where immigrant families can build confidence and competence in utilizing digital tools, ultimately bridging the digital divide and enhancing opportunities for social and economic advancement.

Ruchi Gali & Anahita Poongundran
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
SCORE: Supporting Outstanding Athletes

SCORE is a youth oriented-application that aims to support underprivileged youth athletes in Dallas. It is a platform where they can fundraise their sports costs by uploading highlights, stories and training videos to reach the local community and sports clubs in a highly accessible manner. The app will be similar to popular social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram, but will be focused on creating spaces that support low-income athletes through fundraising features. Community members and sports clubs can also participate by choosing to donate to athletes of their choice, and can also discover talent that is scholarship-worthy. Overall, Sportspark endeavors to make the joy of sports non-discriminate to all communities, and to inspire the next generation of diverse athletes.

2025 Changemakers Summit

NATIONAL FINALIST RECEIVED $5,000 IN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROJECT

Shreya MK. & Annika G
Greater Austin YMCA
Catch the Rain, Quench the Drought

Dripping Springs, Texas, has been afflicted by drought conditions for the past decade due to its semi-arid climate. This has strained water resources and prompted local water utilities and city governments to impose severe outdoor water restrictions (stage 3). Since 30-50% of total water use in most Texas communities is devoted to landscape irrigation, our project focuses on rainwater harvesting, an eco-friendly, low maintenance solution that allows homeowners in Dripping Springs to irrigate their landscapes without drawing from the public water supply. Through community-wide awareness programs and the installation of rainwater collection systems (rain barrels) in households, we aim to reduce reliance on municipal water sources, promote sustainable water use, and empower residents to take action in preserving local water resources. This initiative will also help preserve local ecosystems, as gardens and flowering plants provide habitats for bees and other pollinators.

NATIONAL FINALIST RECEIVED $2,500 IN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROJECT

Gabrielle B. & Sean M.
YMCA of Greater Houston
Change A Leaf: Mental Relief in Alief

Change a Leaf: Mental Relief in Alief aims to address the pressing mental health challenges faced by students in the Alief community. By raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting early intervention, we seek to foster a supportive environment in all five high schools. We will distribute mental health pamphlets, host workshops, and train staff to recognize signs of mental health struggles, while also advocating for mental health hotline. Through collaboration with various student organization and local mental health initiatives, we ail to “turn a new leaf” for mental health advocacy, creating lasting change and ensuring ongoing support for student in Alief.

NATIONAL SEMIFINALISTS RECEIVED $1,000 IN FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROJECT

Neerja B. & Nidhi B.
YMCA of Greater San Antonio
Girls for Book

Girls for Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to increase access, passion, and interest in reading in children and teens, especially girls. We believe that many current students in our community don’t have access or desire to read or write, due to many factors, including societal pressures, lack of representation in reading, and the book-banning initiative, Girls for Books is on a mission to change this narrative, because everyone deserve the right to read.

Rajit M. & Senai S.
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Lifesaver Learning: Youth Emergency Tool/Response Initiative

Lifesaver Learning: Youth Emergency Tools/Response Initiative, is an initiative that works to provide youth with tools to combat both emergency and daily medical situations to help save lives. It provides both visuals and videos through an app to help provide simple instructions on how to respond to emergency situations, from a stroke to a seizure, as well as pathways to free external NGO programs. Additionally, the app will provide appreoved AI-powered tool to help identify slow killers, from skin cancer to infections, saving lives through early detection of life threatening conditions, and promoting visits to healthcare professional regardless of diagnosis. These visual, videos, and tools will be distributed among youth group and school, providing these groups with printable posters and graphics to reference at a moment’s notice in the case of an emergency.

Tanvi S. & Fernanda L.D.
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Vending Life, Not Loss

In recent years, an alarming trend has emerged among youth: many are unaware of the dangers of fentanyl, a powerful drug that is often hidden in other substance and kills without warning, While nalixone, a miracle drug reverse, is available over the counter in all 50 states, many public facilities still lack the proper resources to ensure that the medication is available when needed. Vending Life, Not Loss aims to change that by installing harm reduction vending machine in high traffic, locations like school, gas station, shopping centers and transit hubs where naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and educational resources will be accessible 24/7. This initiative makes life saving tools available to those who need them the most without judgment or delay. By working with local businesses organizations we will ensure that our community is equipped to prevent overdose deaths and support those in need.