For those who may not know what GFI is, it’s a three-day conference with the mission of inspiring and equipping the next generation of leaders. Each year, this amazing conference is held by the KY YMCA, a nonprofit organization. Most people know the KY YMCA for other conferences like the Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) and the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA), but GFI is unique. Throughout the three-day conference, I was guided through reflection and personal discovery with the help of the volunteers. But most importantly, I participated in skill development activities, which is a different environment compared to KYA and KUNA.  

I was allowed the amazing opportunity to attend GFI this year for my second time after having an impactful experience last year. Before diving deeper into what GFI is, I just want to say that I am going to be talking about the conference very generically because I don’t want to spoil it for future participants. Every year, the KY YMCA has a different theme for the conference. For example, this year it was 5 more minutes. The main highlight, for me, of GFI is the family program built within the conference. Just like Assumption family program, we don’t know who is in our family until the ceremony held at the beginning of the conference. The YMCA likes to separate people who go to the same school to allow the opportunity for you to get to know new people that come from various parts of Kentucky. There are a variety of activities that you do with your family throughout the three days. Each year they are slightly different to adhere to the theme. GFI has allowed me the opportunity to create friendships with people who live in the same state but also the same city as me. Most importantly, it has helped me learn to become a better leader as I prepare to head off into the real world.