Serve here. Then go serve there.
Every delegate can log service through the Lt. Governor's Service-Learning Project. Students in grades 9 to 12 who want to go further can join Y-Corps and its summer service trip.
Two ways to serve
Start in your delegation. Go further with Y-Corps.
Service-Learning Project
Led by the Lt. Governor. Log service hours and learning hours all year, earn service pins and compete for the service awards at the High School Conference.
Y-Corps
A five-month team program that trains students as servant leaders, advocates and philanthropists, ending in a week-long summer service trip.
Y-Corps
Four kinds of service
Y-Corps is for students currently in 9th to 12th grade who want to make a difference in their communities, around the state and around the country. It is built on the four types of service the Y emphasizes.
- Direct and indirect service. At least 50 hours in your local community, done before the trip.
- Philanthropy. Raise at least $1,000 for your state's Youth and Government scholarship fund.
- Advocacy. Learn to speak up for your Y-Corps team and the YMCA.
- Training. Online trainings and team meetings to get ready for the trip.
What it takes
- Currently in grades 9 to 12.
- 50 hours of local service before the trip.
- $1,000 raised for the scholarship fund. You are not raising money to pay for your own trip: every dollar goes to scholarships for other students, and it is non-refundable if you cannot travel.
- Online trainings on telling your Y story, advocating for the scholarship fund, fundraising and finding service where you live.
- Three short essays: what community means to you, a servant leader you admire, and why young people should serve.
- Student and parent sign the Photo Release and Code of Conduct, and a parent signs the Treatment Release.
The trip
A week on the road, serving every day
Y-Corps teams serve in each community they visit, take part in a cultural learning experience, and sleep on the floor of a gym or multipurpose room at a local YMCA. New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island students travel as one regional team with the Pennsylvania YMCA.
Service and culture
Hands-on projects with real impact, plus visits that explain the communities you serve.
Reflect together
Journaling and a team roundtable to talk about what you saw and did.
Serve others first
Simple shared meals, with students taking turns serving the team and eating last.
Pennsylvania to the Hudson Valley
- About 20 teens and their adult leaders.
- Painted at the Freeland YMCA in Freeland, Pennsylvania.
- Served at Dutchess Outreach, half the team in the Lunch Box and half in the Food Pantry.
- Spent the final night at Camp Seewackamano with the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County.
New York and Pennsylvania
- 16 students.
- Served in New York City and stayed at the Rye YMCA.
- Projects like painting, gardening, day camp support, clean-ups and food banks.
- The 2025 team logged more than 1,000 hours of service and raised more than $11,500 for scholarships.
Apply
Y-Corps 2027
Applications for 2027 are due January 15, 2027. Trip dates for 2027 will be announced with the new application.
Questions? Email dcaldwell@ymcanys.org or book a time to talk.
How you are chosen
After you apply
- Submit the application with your three essays and signatures.
- Accepted students confirm their spot and agree to the team standards.
- Start your service hours, fundraising and trainings.
New York
The Lt. Governor's Service-Learning Project
The Service-Learning Project gets delegates involved in their communities and in learning that builds civic engagement, professional skills and college and career readiness. This year's focus is social responsibility.
- Your delegation names a Liaison. Each school or YMCA has a Service-Learning Liaison who meets with the Lt. Governor and keeps the delegation on track.
- Serve and log it. Record each activity with the date, hours, what you did and a supervisor who can confirm it. Staff approve each entry.
- Learn and log it. Record learning hours from classes, workshops and trainings.
- Earn recognition. 15 service hours plus 2 learning hours earns the Red Rose Service Pin. 30 plus 4 earns the Blue Rose Service Pin.
Service awards
- Lt. Governor Excelsior Service Award
- The delegate with the most documented service hours.
- Empire Exemplary Service Award
- A Service-Learning Liaison for outstanding service and leadership.
- Core Values Servant Leadership Award
- A student for exemplary service in the Lt. Governor's area of focus.
- Stronger Community Service Award
- The school or YMCA delegation with the most service hours per delegate.