Building the Pipeline to Public Service

The program that we now know as ENGAGE – Youth in Government was developed in 1919 under the State YMCA of Georgia with the first high school Chapter for boys (Hi-Y) chartered at Fort Valley High School in Georgia.  In 1929, at Douglas High School, also in Georgia, the first Chapter for high school girls (Tri-Hi-Y) was chartered.  In the late 1960s, the idea of a coed Chapter was born and known as Coed Y Clubs.  These Chapters operated under the State YMCA of Georgia until 2021 when they became a part Georgia Center for Civic Engagement and the local school Chapters became known as ENGAGE – Youth in Government.  In 2023, ENGAGE – Youth in Government became recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that supports the Public Service and Safety Career Cluster as well as JROTC.

We, the members of ENGAGE – Youth in Government, pledge to uphold the principles of democracy and civic responsibility.

We commit to engage respectfully in dialogue, seek understanding, and build consensus to better our communities.

With integrity and enthusiasm, we promise to explore the complexities of governance and contribute positively to our society.

We dedicate ourselves to becoming informed, active citizens who lead by example and inspire others through our actions and words.

Together, we strive to shape a just and prosperous future for all.

ENGAGE – Youth in Government equips future civic leaders with the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to excel in government and serve the public good. To guide the organization’s work in fulfilling this mission, the following strategic priorities have been set for 2025-2030.

Continue to develop and deliver meaningful opportunities to support the public service and safety cluster

• Expand opportunities for students in Middle School, JROTC, and the Cluster
• Strengthen local Chapters, classroom instruction, leadership development, and workforce outcomes

Develop additional competitions and opportunities to support JROTC and Public Service and Safety Cluster

• Create additional competitions to support student learning outcomes and workforce needs
• Partner with business and industry to create and offer student opportunities for industry certification

Ensure engage has the resources and capabilities to fully deliver on our mission

• Identify grant and other funding sources to support ENGAGE programs at the local, state, and national levels
• Align ENGAGE’s staff and volunteer structure to support the student and Advisor experience

By 2030, Expand the CTSO into other states becoming a nationally recognized CTSO

• Have programs established in at least 15 states
• Host national leadership conference and competitions
• have National Student Officers
• Have at least 1,000 Chapters at the middle and high school level
• Have at least 20,000 members nationally