Hi, my name is Braden (Brady) and I am a 9th-grade student at Charlottesville High School. This is my first year with Y Street as well as my first year on the Y Street Leadership Team (YSLT).

Before joining Y Street, I was not very involved in the community, but when my Y Street Youth Field Organizer came and talked to my school about the opportunity to join this youth movement, it caught my eye. Being a part of Y Street gives me the opportunity to make a positive change in my community. I am finally on the front lines working with other youth leaders across Virginia to make an impact in people’s lives. Y Street has given me the platform to affect real change. The program also makes it easy to gain the skills needed to make a plan for me like going to college.

The YSLT Mid-Year summit held in January was amazing. I was able to make new friendships. We engaged in fun activities like icebreakers and scavenger hunts while learning important leadership skills and how to educate Key Decision Makers (KDMs). We also interacted with and asked questions to the current leadership team members and participated in fun games with them, which made it feel more welcoming. These sessions helped me gain the knowledge to go and affect the change I want to make. The Y Street staff also sent out a gracious amount of healthy, delicious foods and beverages in a Summit Kit which came with very cool clothes like a sweater, which I have worn and got many compliments on.

Now that I am a part of the Leadership Team, I hope to learn much more about my community and help make the change they want to see happen. One day, I want to make a career out of politics whether being in the legislative branch or executive branch. I want my lifestyle and career to be about making a difference in people’s lives.

To learn more about Y Street, visit ystreet.org.