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Empower Virginia’s Youth

to Lead with Purpose

At the Virginia Youth Civics & Leadership Association, we believe democracy is strongest when young people understand it, value it, and see themselves as part of it.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple but powerful: to cultivate civic responsibility and leadership among Virginia’s youth. Through immersive, nonpartisan programs that simulate the work of state government, students don’t just learn about democracy — they experience it. They practice it. They grow within it.

We envision a Commonwealth where every young person is informed, empowered, and inspired to participate meaningfully in civic life, civilly. A place where future leaders are equipped not only with knowledge, but with integrity, confidence, and a heart for service.


Your support makes that vision possible.
A smiling young woman holding a wooden gavel, wearing a nametag that reads 'Naya Chopra, Elected Official', featuring the Virginia Model General Assembly Elected and Appointed Officers 2025-2026 logo.
A young man and a young woman in professional attire having a conversation with an adult man in a dark suit in a hotel or convention center lobby.

The Impact

Every student who walks into a VaYCLA program carries potential. Some arrive unsure of their voice. Some have never seen themselves as leaders. Some are simply curious about how government works.

And then something shifts.

  • They debate respectfully across differences.
  • They discover the courage to speak.
  • They learn to lead with integrity.
  • They begin to understand that their participation matters.

Rooted in our core values — civic engagement, leadership development, nonpartisanship, service, and integrity — we create a space where diverse perspectives are welcomed and where democratic principles are lived out with respect and accountability.

These students leave not only more knowledgeable, but more confident, more thoughtful, and more committed to serving their communities.


When you give, you are not just helping fund a program or sponsor a meal for an economically challenged student. You are investing in a young person’s belief that they belong in the civic life of our Commonwealth.