Level Up 2026: Building Skills, Connections, and Opportunity

The YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Social Impact Center (YSIC) held its 6th annual Level Up: Youth & Young Adult Conference on August 7, 2026, at the Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac. The day brought together young people, YMCA staff, and community partners around one simple idea: everyone deserves a step up.

Level Up is a high-energy, full-day conference designed to equip youth and young adults with real-world skills, leadership development, hands-on learning opportunities, and connections to community resources.

This year, 147 youth and young adults walked through the doors to find life skills workshops, resource connections, music, food, and honest conversations. They left with new tools, connections, and a little more confidence in what comes next.

By the Numbers

• 147 youth and young adults attended, a 19% increase from 2025.
• 60 Resource Fair partners participated in the Employment and Resource Fair, representing health and wellness, financial management, employment and education, civic engagement, and Y programs.
• 8 Life and Skills Workshops offered hands-on learning, from meal preparation to financial literacy.
• 90 Impactors helped make the conference possible, including 30 YSIC planning committee members and 60 day-of supporters.
• Generous support from our sponsors helped fully fund the conference and provide giveaways and raffle prizes for participants.

Life and Skills Workshops

This year, organizers used feedback from past participants to offer a diverse mix of workshops built to meet young people where they are, covering the practical and personal in equal measure:

• Cooking 101
• Vision Boarding with Youth in Focus
• Overdose and Harm Reduction
• Mindfulness
• Financial Literacy with Seattle Credit Union
• Housing 101
• Resume Building
• Music and Rhythm for Wellbeing

Participants could also connect with additional resources and experiences throughout the day, including free haircuts, free state identification cards from the Department of Licensing, and the Red Cross Blood Donation Truck.

Participant Voices

“Going to Level Up took me out of my usual perspective and showed me how big the community actually was at the YMCA. So many people coming together to help and provide value in any way they can was overall a really positive and refreshing experience. I got free zoo tickets, learned to cook on a budget, and got lots of valuable exchanges at the job fair.”

“It's beneficial. Level Up is the best! To me, the event has resources for jobs to help us take the next step up in our future.”

“If I can do it, you can too!”

Small moments from our workshops echoed the same message across every table:

• Housing 101: “All the information is necessary and useful.”
• Vision Boarding: “I learned how freeing art can be.”
• Resume Building: “I understand my experiences better!”
• Music and Rhythm: “I learned how music can affect your mood.”
• Overdose and Harm Reduction: “I learned anyone can overdose.”
• Understanding Credit: “Good and useful information. I learned how to maintain a good credit score.”

Who Made This Happen

Level Up is staff-led and youth-centered, and it takes a community effort. Thirty Impactors from YSIC’s Behavioral Health, Housing, Foster Care, and Operations teams served on the Level Up Planning Committee, shaping the vision, content, and logistics since March.

Another 60 Impactors, members of YSIC’s Advisory Board, and partners from Human Resources, Marketing and Communication, Facilities, and Financial Development supported set-up, parking, check-in, lunch, the resource fair, and take-down on the day of the event.

Six years in, Level Up reflects a One Y philosophy of care for both YMCA members and YSIC participants. As the YMCA of Greater Seattle celebrates 150 years, Level Up is one example of our continued commitment to creating opportunities for young people and strengthening our community.

Our Sponsors — Thank You!

• foundry10
• Boston Consulting Group

It takes vision and commitment from business and community partners to make a large community event like Level Up possible. We appreciate the continued partnership of our sponsors and thank them for investing in youth and young adults across King County. We would also like to thank The Zoo Society, Sound Transit, and Coffee Tab for their contributions.

Level Up brings the YMCA Social Impact Center and the broader community together, creating greater opportunity and connection for young people. Every workshop, every resource table, and every conversation adds up to the same thing: a young person who leaves knowing a little more about how to build the life they want.

Want to be part of Level Up 2027? 

Let us know. We’d love to have you. 

Photo Gallery

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