For parents and guardians

YouthBridge is free and open to any Upper Manhattan teen entering 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. Sessions are supervised by Y staff at our Nagle Avenue building, and food is provided at every session. For off-site activities, we send details in advance so you know where the group will be. The full calendar is linked above so you can plan around it.

Questions? Contact Valeria Obregon Diaz, Coordinator of Teens and Young Adult Engagement, at vdiaz@ywhi.org

Frequently Asked Questions For teens

Who counts as an Upper Manhattan teen? 

If you live in Upper Manhattan, go to school here, or otherwise spend significant time in the area, you’re eligible. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway and we’ll talk it through.

Do I have to be Jewish to join? 

No. YouthBridge is open to every teen in Upper Manhattan regardless of background, faith, or whether your family has any connection to the Y. Our cohort reflects the neighborhood.

Do I need to be a Y member? 

No. Membership isn’t required and there’s no cost to participate.

Is it really free? 

Yes. The program, food at every session, materials, and trips are all covered. The one thing families cover is subway fare to the Y and to nearby trip locations. For farther locations, we arrange and pay for transportation. You’ll never be asked to pay a program fee.

Do I need leadership experience? 

No. Some fellows come in already running a club or captaining a team. Others have never once called themselves a leader. Both belong here. The year is about figuring out what your particular leadership style is and how to use it, and that’s just as useful if you’re already leading as it is if you’re starting from zero.

What if I don’t know anyone? 

Most people won’t. Teens come from schools all over Upper Manhattan, and the first month is built around getting to know each other.

I have a job / play a sport / have to watch my younger siblings. Can I still do this? 

Probably. It’s two evenings a month, not two a week. Tell us about your schedule when we talk and we’ll be honest about whether it fits.

What if I have to miss a session? 

You get two excused absences. Just let us know ahead of time.

What if I get accepted and then my schedule changes? 

It happens, especially in January when the new semester starts. Talk to us. We confirm the spring meeting day in December based on the cohort’s new schedules for exactly this reason.

How much work is there outside of sessions? 

Not much. In the fall, there’s one assignment where you talk to a few people about the neighborhood, plus some light reading between sessions. In the spring, teams sometimes do work on their project between meetings, but it’s all manageable alongside school.

What kind of project will we do? 

That’s up to you. The cohort picks one issue in January based on what you noticed in the fall, then decides how to take it on: an awareness campaign, a resource you create for the community, a service project, or an ask you bring to a decision-maker. Depending on what you choose, it might be one project the whole cohort builds together, or a few smaller team projects working toward the same goal.

What are the community service hours for? 

Many high schools require service hours for graduation or for honor societies. We document your hours and provide a signed letter in June. Check with your school counselor about their specific requirements.

Can I earn more hours than the program offers? 

Yes. Our partner organizations host YouthBridge fellows for additional volunteer shifts throughout the year. It’s optional and self-directed, and we’ll connect you.

What happens if there are more applicants than spots? 

We accept 20–25 teens. If we can’t offer you a spot right away, we’ll place you on a waitlist and reach out if one opens up. We’ll also let you know about other Y teen programs, and we encourage you to apply again next year.

For parents and guardians

Is transportation provided? 

Sessions are at our Nagle Avenue building, accessible by the A and 1 trains. Most off-site trips are easily reachable by public transportation, and the cohort meets at the location. If a trip is farther away or harder to get to, we arrange transportation. Details are always sent in advance.

Will my child be supervised? 

Yes. All sessions are staffed by Y personnel, and staff accompany the group throughout off-site activities.

Who do I contact with questions? 

Valeria Obregon Diaz, Coordinator of Teens and Young Adult Engagement, at vdiaz@ywhi.org