Prospect Park YMCA teen goes to Albany

Late last month, Brooklyn teen Hakeem Henry, from the Prospect Park YMCA Youth & Government program, traveled to Albany to participate in an event in which over 600 teens exercised their interest in politics and democracy.

Hakeem joined Youth & Government this year under the supervision of lawyer and active Board Member Howard Caretto and Teen Advisor Samantha Bonilla.

Twice a week, from December through March, Hakeem spent  time at the YMCA researching and preparing  to suggest legislation that would benefit the safety of New Yorkers who use public transportation and presented a bill for the installation of safety barrier doors in train stations.

“I moved here from Jamaica two and a half years ago,” said Hakeem. “I couldn’t believe how fast the trains pull into subway stations and after the most recent subway fatalities, I felt this issue needed to be heard.”

The bill was ranked in the top 10 of 40, and was eventually passed by the youth assembly. Hakeem received the Outstanding Delegate award and also the Premier Delegation Award for representing the Prospect Park YMCA.

“It was really great to be exposed to other people’s political views which may not be in your comfort zone,” said Hakeem. “This program helped me find my voice and now I feel comfortable speaking publically and understand political procedures.”

Youth & Government allows teens to choose a specific role. Legislators debate and vote upon Senate and Assembly bills, lobbyists rally for or against particular issues, the press reports the event to local news, the attorneys defend their cases, and everyone leaves with a greater understanding of politics.

Hakeem joined Youth & Government following his participation in the summer Counselor-in-Training program at the Prospect Park YMCA. He is a senior at Benjamin Banneker Academy in Clinton Hill and plans to attend college for Engineering.

The YMCA Youth & Government program was organized in 1936 in New York State and is now a national program held in 38 states with more than 46,000 participants. Legislation proposed by teens in Youth & Government has gone on to be presented by actual legislators and signed into law.