The YMCA Junior Leadership Dayton program was created in 1999 through a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Dayton, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Wright State University, the Dayton Foundation, and the Leadership Dayton Association. It was designed to reach out to the youth in the Miami Valley community who are the next generation of leaders and prepare them for constructive and responsible participation in community activities. YMCA Junior Leadership Dayton is modeled after “Leadership Dayton”, the highly successful adult program sponsored by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

The first program year began in 2000 with a class of 52 students from 11 area high schools. The current class has 56 students participating from 23 area high schools.