Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Putting Youth at the Center of Public Policy at Oct. 24 Leadership Forum

 Event Empowers Westchester Youths to Develop and Share Policy Recommendations with Government Leaders to Inspire Action

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2026 – Youths and young adults from New Rochelle and across Westchester County will channel their experiences and ideas into recommendations for real-world change when the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle hosts its inaugural Youth Leadership & Policy Forum on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club’s Remington Clubhouse, 1 Remington Place in New Rochelle, youths will identify issues affecting their lives and communities, collaborate on solutions and develop actionable policy recommendations to present to elected officials and community leaders. Youths and young adults from ages 14 to 24 are invited to be heard at the forum and can register at this link: https://bit.ly/4dIbHXH

“Young people have cogent, strategic ideas about the opportunities and challenges facing their schools, neighborhoods, communities and future, and those ideas deserve to be heard,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “This forum gives them more than a seat at the table; it gives them an opportunity to shape the conversation. We want youths to know that their voices matter, that their ideas can inspire change and that they have the power to frame the future they want to see.” The forum’s theme is “Your Voice. Your Policy. Our Future.” Officials scheduled to attend include Congressman George Latimer; representatives from the New Rochelle and Westchester County youth bureaus; City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds; Mamaroneck Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Sampson; New York State Sens. Shelley Mayer and Nathalia Fernandez; Assemblywoman Amy Paulin; Assemblyman Steve Otis; Westchester County Legislators Terry Clements and Judah Holstein; New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert; City Council members Martha Lopez-Hanratty and David Peters; and a representative from the Westchester County Executive’s Office. They will be asked to consider legislative or policy action aligned with youths’ recommendations. Policy discussions will focus on issues including civic engagement and youth voice; artificial intelligence, social media and digital citizenship; mental health and student wellness; education and college readiness; workforce development and career pathways; community safety and belonging; environmental sustainability; and financial literacy and economic opportunity.

The forum advances the Boys & Girls Club’s broader commitment to helping young people develop the confidence, skills and opportunities to become leaders in their communities.

About the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle

For 96 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is

one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,100 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.