News | Georgia Youth Challenge Academy

26th Anniversary of the Youth Challenge Foundation Gala

February 7, 2020/in Events, News /by madisonstudios

The 26th Anniversary of the Youth Challenge Foundation Gala was held March 20, 2019 at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta. Georgia’s Governor and First Lady Brian Kemp showed their support and Senator Johnny Isakson and Senator David Perdue received the 2019 Challenge Champion Awards. Among other special guests included MG Thomas Carden, Adjutant General of Georgia, MG Judd Lyons and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Integration). Benita Dodd, Georgia Public Policy Foundation was the Master of Ceremonies and the Foundation was joined with many other supporters, legislators and friends for the evening. Thirty cadets currently enrolled in the program were present as well and performed the YCA Anthem “Dream. Believe, Achieve.”

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program Progress in 2017-2018

February 7, 2020/in News /by madisonstudios

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program is a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16 to 18 who are experiencing difficulty in traditional high school. This report covers the program years 2017–2018 and is the third in a series of annual reports that RAND researchers will issue over the course of a research project spanning September 2016 to June 2020. The first and second National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Annual Reports cover program years 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, respectively, and can be found on the RAND website (Wenger et al., 2017; Wenger, Constant, and Cottrell, 2018). A fourth annual report, which will cover program years 2018–2019, will be released early in fiscal year 2020.

Each annual report documents the progress of participants who entered ChalleNGe during specific program years and then completed the program. A focus of RAND’s ongoing analysis of the ChalleNGe program is collecting data in a consistent manner. Based on these data, each report also includes trend analyses. In the present report, we provide information in support of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program’s required annual report to Congress. In addition to information on participants who entered the ChalleNGe program and completed it in 2017, we include follow-up information on those who entered the program and completed it in 2016, as well as an update on our work to develop metrics to improve program effectiveness. Finally, we describe other ongoing research efforts to support the ChalleNGe program (these efforts will be detailed in future reports). Methods used in this study include site visits, collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, literature reviews, and development of tools to assist in improving all program metrics—for example, a program logic model. Caveats to be considered include documented inconsistencies in reported data across sites, our focus on those who completed the program and not all participants, and the short-run nature of many of the metrics reported here.

This report will be of interest to ChalleNGe program staff, personnel providing oversight for the program, and policymakers and researchers concerned with designing effective youth programs or determining appropriate metrics by which to track progress in youth programs.

This research was sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and conducted within the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community. For more information on the RAND Forces and Resources Policy Center, and to view the full report, click HERE.

Youth Challenge Academy Foundation Celebrates 25 Years, Honors Senators Sam Nunn and Saxby Chambliss

February 1, 2018/0 Comments/in News /by madisonstudios

ATLANTA (February 28, 2018) – The Youth ChalleNGe Academy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Georgia’s three National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academies, joined Governor Nathan Deal last month at the Georgia Freight Depot to celebrate 25 years of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program’s incredible success.

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a nationwide program formed in 1993 by U.S. Sens. Sam Nunn and John McCain following a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): “Forging a Military Youth Corps – A Military-Youth Service Partnership for High School Dropouts.” It has helped more than 160,000 young men and women across the nation earn a high school diploma, GED or continue their education. Today, there are 40 Youth ChalleNGe Programs located in 27 states and territories.

Georgia’s academies, located at Ft. Stewart, Ft. Gordon and Milledgeville, have graduated more than 16,000 cadets representing all 159 counties in Georgia.
“With our three programs in Georgia we represent over 10 percent of the nation’s success, which is phenomenal when you realize that we started with 100 percent dropouts” said Tina Coria, Youth ChalleNGe Academy Foundation.

High school dropouts were deemed the greatest domestic threat to national security in a 1992 CSIS report, “Strengthening of America” report.
“I’m grateful to have a strong board comprised of dedicated individuals who are supporting the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Academies and helping thousands of young men and women in this state turn their lives around,” said Coria.

“For our 25^th anniversary, Governor Nathan Deal joined us in honoring the incredible foundation laid by Senator Nunn when he created this program, as well as Senator Saxby Chambliss, another great Georgian, for carrying the water while serving on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, to see that this pilot program was permanently authorized and funded.

“We are proud that this remarkably successful program got its humble roots from forward-thinking Georgians, and continues to grow thanks to the leadership of Governor Deal in opening up Georgia’s third Youth ChalleNGe Academy in Milledgeville.”

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Matthew Dubois joined the Foundation and the Governor at the gala to celebrate 25 years of success and to honor Senator Sam Nunn and Senator Saxby Chambliss. Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue will continue 25^th anniversary celebrations with upcoming congressional events.

The Foundation also marked the 25^th anniversary of the program at the Legislature during this year’s “Guard Day at the Capitol,” celebrating the program’s proven success at improving the life skills, education levels and employment potential of thousands of young men and women across Georgia.
ChalleNGe serves those between the ages of 16 to 18 who have dropped out of school but are interested in turning their lives around and improving their chances for success. Application inquiries for ChalleNGe can be directed toward the Admissions Office at 800-278-2233.

About the Youth ChalleNGe Academy Foundation, Inc.: The Youth ChalleNGe Academy Foundation, Inc.’s efforts are directed primarily toward developing, supporting and enhancing the Georgia National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academies and its cadets with educational scholarships, public awareness initiatives, innovative partnerships and opportunities for training and developing workforce and life skills. Visit www.gycafoundation.com to learn more.

To view the Program Brochure, click HERE.
For a copy of the Press Release, click HERE.