ABOUT US
Our story begins in 2021 when two teenagers were inspired to make meaningful changes in their community – Clark County. To start their journey, they assembled a coalition of peers, stakeholders, and government leaders to create the program we now call Teen Changemakers: a YMCA of Southern Nevada program that empowers young people to work with government to identify problems in our community and develop innovative solutions to them.
The group knew of preschool’s importance for early childhood development and understood the myriad of barriers many have to accessing these programs. Acknowledging this issue, the Teen Changemakers went to work to figure out the most effective way to deliver comprehensive information about preschool benefits and access in Clark County. Their commitment to bettering our shared community, the empowerment of community leaders, and funding from Clark County made this website a reality.
Abby
My name is Abigail and I am a junior in a CCSD high school. I found my love of law and politics through my school’s Model United Nations program and since then I have competed in and chaired various competitions. I am especially passionate about the intersection between public policy and education, having researched educational equity between the U.S., Afghanistan, and South Africa. After consulting various politicians about current policies regarding youth, I realized that there are not many initiatives directed towards involving youth in politics. That is why I am currently working on establishing the first Youth and Government program in Nevada, where youth can have a more active role in legislation. In the future, I am looking forward to pursuing a career in public policy and creating a world where education is a right, not a privilege.
Riley
My name is Riley and I am a senior attending high school in the Clark County School District. Currently, I am a member of several different extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Varsity Swim, American Cancer Society, Calculus Club, Yearbook, and most notably, Teen Changemakers. Through these clubs, I have developed a variety of skill-sets such as leadership, communication, and the art of discipline. I have always had a competitive nature, stemming from being involved in sports my entire life. This has led me to participate in many competitions at the city, state, and national level, specifically for FFA, in which I have accumulated numerous top-three awards and placed seventh nationally with my team in the vet science competition. I hope to one day work with adolescents in the field of psychiatry, combining my love for neuroscience and psychology while fulfilling my dream to support young kids who need help finding their voice in the world.
Dominik
Hello, my name is Dominik. Throughout my life, I have traveled to many different countries and seen much of the world. Due to my traveling, I am a free spirit who wants to see everyone succeed. Right now, I am a senior at a CCSD high school and have been studying biomedical science in hopes of helping people in a medically-based profession. I am also a proud member of Teen Changemakers and am very passionate about early childhood education. I was a child who was affected very positively by preschool learning, as my parents were immigrants and taught me a different language at a young age. Preschool has helped me learn the English alphabet and helped me get adjusted to the English language and culture as a whole. Overall preschool greatly helped me become prepared for lifelong learning. My experiences have led me to the conclusion that every child within Clark County is deserving of an education before kindergarten. I am driven to make information regarding preschools in Clark County accessible to families who want to give their children the best start to life they possibly can.
Rachel
My name is Rachel, and I work within the child care sector. I am currently a junior at a CCSD high school. Both inside and outside of my school, I am involved in numerous extracurriculars including Girl Scouts, Future Farmers of America (FFA), National Honor Society (NHS), Student Ambassadors, Peer Leaders, Science Bowl, and the Veterinary Science Program. In my free time, I like to volunteer, read, and spend time with my pets and loved ones. I love learning and challenging myself with the most rigorous courses possible; and I take my education very seriously. I will not pass up any opportunity that comes my way. My dedication to Teen Changemakers stems from my passion of advocating for those who need it most.
Allison
My name is Allison. I am a dedicated and ambitious senior at a CCSD high school, known for my exceptional academic performance and leadership skills. Throughout my high school career, I have actively participated in various extracurricular activities, such as traveling with my school’s marching band and working tirelessly in the school technical theater program. With a passion for community service, I have also been working alongside my peers in Teen Changemakers in the hopes of bettering this community’s preschool education; as well as supporting my fellow International Thespian Society members. I plan to pursue a degree in finance and mathematics after graduation, harnessing my strong work ethic and determination to achieve success in future endeavors.