From Youth & Government to the Courtroom: How Early Civic Engagement Shaped a Legal Career

For many young people, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago's Youth & Government (Y&G) program is more than an extracurricular activity. It is a chance to explore leadership, develop confidence, and discover passions that can shape the course of a lifetime. For Justin Shlensky, Vice President of Legal and Risk Management at the YMCA of Metro Chicago, Y&G was a pivotal experience that helped set him on the path to a career in law.

As a high school student, Shlensky joined Y&G because of his interest in politics and civics. What began as a way to explore those interests quickly became an experience that challenged him to think critically and engage with others in meaningful ways. 

"It was very engaging, but challenging in the best of ways," Shlensky recalled. "The Youth and Government program requires you to be an incredible thinker at a young age. It also puts you outside of your comfort zone because you're performing public speaking, public engagement, and working to build support for ideas to shape laws." 

Those experiences would eventually influence his academic choices. After high school, Shlensky attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he double majored in political science and psychology. He later earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and eventually joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in 2020. Today, he oversees legal affairs and risk management for one of the region's largest nonprofit organizations. Looking back, Shlensky sees a direct connection between his Y&G experience and his decision to pursue law. 

"Youth and Government helped shape my interest in politics and law. It helped mold me into wanting to pursue law as a career." In fact, he believes his path may have looked very different without the program. "If Youth and Government wasn't a program that was available, I don't know that I would have been as interested in law and politics as a youth. I could have pursued a career in music or the arts instead." 

One of Shlensky's most vivid memories from Y&G was participating in the program's annual conference at the Illinois State Capitol. Sitting in the actual House and Senate chambers where elected officials conduct state business made a lasting impression. "It was very exciting to physically be in the House and Senate chambers," he said. "Looking back on it, that's a really rare opportunity." 

The impact of Y&G extends beyond law and politics, however. According to Shlensky, the program prepares students for success in virtually any field. "The skills you gain through critical thinking, negotiation, collaboration, and compromise are valuable no matter what career you pursue," he said. "Whether it's education, finance, communications, marketing, or law, those skills transfer." 

That belief helps explain why Shlensky's connection to Y&G continues today. After joining the YMCA, he became involved in rebuilding and supporting the organization's Youth and Government delegation. Serving as a judicial advisor, he now helps guide students through the same program that influenced him years ago. The experience has created what he describes as a full-circle moment. 

"It's been fantastic," he said. "I started as a student, and now I have the opportunity to help advise students participating in the program." For students considering joining Y&G, his advice is simple: engage fully. "Take the opportunity and commit to it," he said. "If you just sign up without fully participating, you're not going to get the full experience. But if you engage and put in the effort, it can be incredibly rewarding." 

Shlensky's story is a powerful example of how Y&G can shape a young person's future. What began as a high school activity sparked an interest in politics and law, provided invaluable leadership experience, and helped launch a successful legal career. Years later, Shlensky is helping create those same opportunities for the next generation of civic leaders. 

For the YMCA, that's exactly what Y&G is designed to do: empower young people to discover their voices, develop critical life skills, and see themselves as leaders capable of making a difference. As Shlensky's journey demonstrates, the impact can last a lifetime.  

Interested in Youth and Government? If you know a teen who is passionate about leadership, public speaking, government, law, or making a difference in their community, we encourage them to explore the YMCA Youth and Government program. Pre-register today to learn more and receive updates about upcoming opportunities.