OUR STORY
Young People Have Always Been Ready to Lead.
YVote was founded by young people who believed civic leadership should begin long before adulthood. Since 2017, we have built free, youth-led programs that help young people understand civic systems, take action on the issues they care about, and grow into leaders—at and beyond the ballot box.
WHY WE EXIST
Civic Leadership Should Not Depend on ZIP Code or Income.
Young people are often described as disengaged when the real problem is unequal access. Too many students—especially those from historically under-resourced communities—have limited opportunities to learn how civic systems work, practice leadership, or participate in decisions affecting their lives.
YVote intentionally recruits young people from neighborhoods identified through New York City’s Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity, while welcoming young people from across the city and beyond through select programs.
Our programs are free, and many are stipended, because no young person should have to choose between earning income and developing as a civic leader. By removing financial and access barriers, YVote creates a pathway for young people to move from civic learning to action, responsibility, and paid leadership.
Intentional Recruitment
We prioritize outreach in historically under-resourced communities, including New York City’s TRIE neighborhoods.
Stipended Participation
Many YVote programs provide stipends so young people can participate fully without sacrificing paid work.
Paid Leadership
Participants can grow into paid roles as facilitators, ambassadors, media leaders, and program leaders.
Explore Our ProgramsWHAT GUIDES US
Our Mission, Vision, and Model
Mission
To ensure every New York high school student is empowered to engage, act, and lead change in their city—at and beyond the ballot box.
Vision
A future in which young people, especially those most excluded from civic life, are informed, connected, and prepared to lead change in their communities and democracy.
Theory of Change
When young people have free access to civic learning, stipended participation, real-world civic action, and paid leadership opportunities, they gain the knowledge, confidence, skills, and relationships to become lifelong civic leaders.
Core Belief
Young people are not future leaders waiting for their turn. They are leaders now—and democracy is stronger when they have meaningful power, resources, and opportunities to act.
OUR VALUES
The Principles Behind Our Work
Youth Leadership
Young people are not simply participants in YVote—they help shape programs, facilitate learning, create media, advise organizational decisions, and lead their peers.
Diversity
Democracy is strongest when people with different identities, experiences, communities, and perspectives can participate fully and be heard.
Empowerment
We provide young people with the knowledge, practical skills, relationships, and opportunities they need to turn their ideas into meaningful civic action.
Open-Mindedness & Collaboration
Lasting change requires curiosity, dialogue, and collective effort. We encourage young people to engage different perspectives without judgment and work together across differences.
Youth Leadership in Action
OUR IMPACT
Students served since 2017
Young people directly served during 2025–2026
Youth program touchpoints during 2025–2026
Young people serving annually in paid leadership roles
Current-year figures reflect YVote’s 2025–2026 Annual Impact Report.
View Our ImpactHelp Build the Next Generation of Civic Leaders.
Civic leadership does not develop by accident. It grows when young people receive meaningful opportunities to learn, participate, practice leadership, and be trusted with real responsibility.
Whether you are a student, educator, partner, or supporter, there is a place for you in YVote’s work.