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Strengthening Democracy as a Way of Life.

The University YMCA has always helped to prepare students and others to be informed, engaged members of their communities. In spring of 2024, our Board and Student Board concluded a year-long set of conversations by committing the organization to add an explicit focus on democracy and citizenship to our programming priorities. We are now beginning to explore possibilities for initiatives that will best position the University YMCA to support and encourage all persons in our campus and community to be informed, empowered and engaged contributors to a thriving, inclusive democracy.

Programs

Our Friday Forum + Conversation Café, now in it's 98th year, features local and national speakers active in tackling the most important issues facing democracy today.

The Art @ the Y exhibitions in spring 2025 will continue to explore the jagged contours of democracy. Whose voices are heard? Who pays the price when we fall short of where our values should lead us?

Our partnership with the students from the UIUC Global Leaders Program are helping us to answer two questions:

• How can we create an inclusive democracy worth living in?
• How can the University YMCA be a "free space" for those seeking to develop their civic skills and imagination?

Call to Action

We're looking for people passionate about making democracy work for everyone. Interested to find out more? Let us know!

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This work is supported in part by our McMahon Democracy Innovation Fund.

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