Pennsylvania Youth Congress
About Pennsylvania Youth Congress
Since its founding in April 2011 by young LGBTQ Pennsylvania leaders, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress has established itself as a transformative force in youth civic engagement and social justice advocacy. Based in Harrisburg, PA, PYC emerged from a vision that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow—they are the leaders of today, deserving authentic power and decision-making authority in movements affecting their lives. Originally established as The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, the organization evolved to its current name in 2015 to better reflect its statewide focus on public policy change. What distinguishes PYC is its unwavering commitment to youth-centered leadership and community empowerment. As a volunteer-driven organization with no member dues, PYC prioritizes direct service to communities over institutional resource competition, operating with transparency and integrity. The organization's foundational values draw inspiration from SNCC's legacy of youth-led civil rights activism, emphasizing inclusive leadership, honest communication, and systemic analysis of power and oppression. PYC explicitly centers the experiences of marginalized LGBTQ youth, particularly those navigating intersecting identities related to race, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status. By uniting young leaders from schools and communities across Pennsylvania, PYC has cultivated a vibrant statewide movement where emerging advocates receive mentorship, skill development, and meaningful opportunities to influence local and state policy. The organization's alumni have gone on to leadership positions at major LGBTQ organizations and have been elected to local government, demonstrating PYC's profound impact on developing the next generation of changemakers. Through regional gatherings, leadership trainings, and direct engagement in the State Capitol, PYC embodies the principle that authentic social change emerges when young people lead with their own voices and visions.