The YMCA Chagemakers Summit was held June 27-June 29.
Four Delaware high school students are gaining national recognition for their leadership and community impact after presenting innovative projects at the YMCA Changemakers Summit in Orlando, Florida.
The students, all participants in the YMCA of Delaware’s Youth In Government (YIG) program, were selected to represent the state at the prestigious summit, where teens from across the country pitched original ideas aimed at solving local community issues.
Jeshen Kannan and Allison Hong received a $1,000 award for their mental health initiative, “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay.”
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“We are so proud of these youth leaders who are demonstrating the power of young voices to create real change,” said Jascelyn Parson, Youth In Government Program Director at the YMCA of Delaware. “Their ideas, passion, and commitment to their communities are inspiring and reflect the core mission of the Y.”
The project seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and improve access to resources for Delaware youth.
Their work includes speaker events, peer-led training, and a 24/7 virtual support hub in collaboration with partners such as UnLocke the Light, Sean’s House, local school districts, and Delaware YMCAs.
Another Delaware team, Audrey Curtis and Iyanna Flores, presented “Kickstart the Game,” an initiative designed to make soccer more accessible to children in underserved communities.
The program offers low-cost soccer opportunities, donated gear, and local partnerships to remove financial barriers and promote youth development through sports.
The YMCA Changemakers Summit is a national platform that empowers teens in grades 9–12 to become civic leaders by tackling real-world problems in their neighborhoods. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from one another, collaborate, and amplify their work on a national stage.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at jarek@dimgrey-peafowl-504880.hostingersite.com or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn.
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