Jersey Desk - Two New Jersey Teens Win YMCA Award to Lead Change in Monroe Township

Trending...

Brother Marcus Brings 2 Decades of Radio Excellence to New Podcast "The Elements of Inspiration"
Kanguro Insurance Taps Paylode to Launch Best-in-Class Pet and Renters Insurance Rewards Experience
Grads aren't getting hired — here's what we're doing about it

Students to Launch Hydroponic Garden Project, Grow Intergenerational Connection to Older Adults

TRENTON, N.J. - JerseyDesk -- Two inspiring teens from Monroe Township have been named national YMCA Changemakers for their leadership and commitment to making a difference in the lives of local senior citizens.

Selected as part of the YMCA of the USA's national Changemakers initiative, Samantha Mossa, 17, and Siyona Patel, 16, are among a group of young leaders from across the country working to strengthen communities through civic engagement, service, and leadership.

Through their involvement with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (YMCA Alliance), the rising seniors at Monroe Township High School, were awarded $1,000 last month to implement their project, "Harvesting Health," in senior communities in Monroe.

They were one of three teams selected as semifinalists by their peers at the 2025 YMCA Changemakers Summit, held June 27–29 in Orlando, FL, for their innovative plan to grow organic vegetables and herbs using hydroponic plant stands, helping ensure local seniors have access to fresh, nutritious food.

More on Jersey Desk

"Their leadership and compassion represent the very best of New Jersey's next generation," said YMCA Alliance Chief Executive Officer Julie Gallanty. "At the Y, we believe in nurturing the potential of all young people. These changemakers show how youth leadership can drive real change and build stronger, healthier communities."

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and its 30-member YMCA associations representing 80 branches are committed to fostering youth leadership and civic engagement across the state through programs like Youth and Government, civic leadership training, volunteerism, and more.

Both Mossa and Patel learned about the YMCA Changemakers initiative through their participation in the Y's Youth and Government program. Now in its fourth year, the YMCA Changemakers Summit offers high school students an opportunity to propose a project that addresses a critical issue or need in their communities. This year 78 students with 39 projects attended.

The projects are completely youth-led. Each year, students participating in the program select an issue based on the needs of their local communities and craft a proposal to address it.

More on Jersey Desk

Mossa and Patel plan to launch their pilot project at Rossmoor Village in September, with the goal of expanding to eight senior communities in Monroe Township. Their prize money will help fund the first two hydroponic plant stands.

They also plan to invite fellow high school students and residents to get involved by volunteering and donating seeds, soil, and tools. In addition to providing fresh produce to seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes, they hope the project will foster meaningful connections between generations and help bridge the gap between youth and older adults.

About the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance
The YMCA Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 30 independent YMCA associations. Through public policy, statewide initiatives, strategic partnerships, and service delivery, the YMCA Alliance fosters a greater ability for YMCAs, community partners and leaders across the state to impact families, improve community health and advance equity. Our collective voice strengthens local communities while promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.njymca.org.