The Bergen County Youth Assembly is a nonpartisan, student-led youth organization serving Bergen County, New Jersey. We make free resources for students and deliver them through schools.
BCYA began in November 2025 and was formally formed on July 11, 2026. Each of the six founders leads one project. Every project is published under one name, so a student in any town can trust where it came from.
We start with a need that students around us have named.
We use official and expert sources, and we name each source.
A student writes the resource in words that students will read.
A professional in the field checks the resource before it goes out.
Schools, libraries, and community offices share it with students.
Learn now. Vote ready.
Civic Engagement · led by Ellie Kim
A nonpartisan voter guide for Bergen County high school students. It covers registering, reading a ballot, the ways to vote, who represents you, and how to get involved.
Reviewed by the Bergen County Board of Elections and the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections, September 2026.
Same stress. Brighter days.
Youth Mental Wellness · led by Kayla Park
A stress and resilience toolkit for high school students: a guide, a wallet card, a sheet for parents, and a 3D printed clicker to hold when stress builds.
Reviewed by Kathleen Burghoffer, Psy.D., Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Bergen Community College.
Move more. Start close.
Physical Wellness · led by Justin Yoo
A safety guide for teens who exercise, covering hydration, heat, rest, and when to stop and get help. It comes with a sheet for each town that lists free and low cost places to be active.
Youth Rights and Access · led by Sienna Chung
A guide to the help that already exists for students in New Jersey and Bergen County: what to do and whom to call about safety at home, housing, bullying, mental health, and basic needs. This team also runs BCYA’s free peer tutoring in core subjects.
Technology and Accessibility · led by Aaron Choi
3D printed math graphs that students who are blind or have low vision can read by touch. Each plate carries a raised curve with braille labels and is designed to follow the tactile graphics guidelines of the Braille Authority of North America.
Community Service · led by Jade Seo
We match donated goods to needs that a school or community office has confirmed. The first delivery was 103 new pieces of children’s clothing to Lindbergh Elementary School in Palisades Park.
These materials have completed review. Schools and libraries may print and distribute them at no cost.
A Bergen County guide to elections, civic participation, and your first vote. It includes eight links to official election pages and a voting plan to fill in.
A stress and resilience toolkit for high school students: eight small tools, the signs that it is time to talk to an adult, and where to go for help.
A one page guide for the adults in a student’s life: what helps in a hard week, the signs worth acting on, and where to call.
Active Bergen, Know Your Resources, and Touch the Curve will be added after each one completes its review.
BCYA offers free peer tutoring for Bergen County students in kindergarten through grade 11. Our tutors are high school students who know the classes because they took them recently.
If the student is under 18, a parent or guardian should fill out the form. Questions can go to bcyouthassembly@gmail.com.
Six students from six Bergen County towns begin working together.
The Bergen County Youth Assembly is formally formed.
The founders present their work to the Office of the Bergen County Executive.
BCYA delivers 103 new pieces of children’s clothing, in six boxes, to Lindbergh Elementary School in Palisades Park.
The Bergen County Board of Elections and the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections review Before You Vote.
Kathleen Burghoffer, Psy.D., of Bergen Community College reviews The Reset.
200 copies of Before You Vote are printed for students ahead of the November election.
The six founders serve as the current board. All six are high school students and members of the National Honor Society.
Founder and Chair
Director of Youth Mental Wellness
Leonia High School · Leonia
Vice Chair
Director of Civic Engagement
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan · Harrington Park
Secretary
Director of Youth Rights and Access
Bergen County Academies · Tenafly
Treasurer
Director of Community Needs Exchange
Fort Lee High School · Fort Lee
Assistant Secretary
Director of Active Bergen
Bergen Catholic High School · Palisades Park
Assistant Treasurer
Director of Technology and Accessibility Initiatives
River Dell Regional High School · Oradell
High school students who live or go to school in Bergen County may apply. Membership is by application and interview. We look for students who sincerely want to serve Bergen County and who are ready to do steady, careful work for other people.
Members take part in one or more of these ways:
Sending an application does not guarantee a place. Accepted students join as members. Seats on the board are filled only by a vote of the members.
Students, schools, libraries, and community offices are welcome to write. A student on the team answers every message.
Bergen County Youth Assemblybcyouthassembly@gmail.com
Instagram: @bergencountyyouthassembly
Please let interested students know that BCYA exists. We can send printed copies of our reviewed booklets to your counseling office at no cost.