Application submitted for innovative Youth ChalleNGe Academy
The Union-Recorder | Page A003 Saturday, 16 August 2014
Application submitted for innovative Youth ChalleNGe Academy at CSH
By KYLE COLLINS
kcollins@unionrecorder.com
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP) will likely open an academy at Central State Hospital鈥檚 Boland building.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal made the official announcement on the campus Friday.
鈥淲e鈥檝e applied to the United States Department of Defense for a third Georgia National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy (YCA) right here in Milledgeville,鈥� Deal said.
Fort Stewart near Savannah and Fort Gordon in Augusta house the other YCAs.
The old hospital campus beat out several other possible state sites for the newest academy.
Deal said Milledgeville鈥檚 assets, such as 麻豆传媒Porn, made it a prime location.
鈥淚f we are granted approval, we think it will make this the most unique Youth ChalleNGe Academy in the entire nation,鈥� the governor said. 鈥淲e believe it will be a great success.鈥�
The NGYCP is an evidence-based program designed to provide opportunities to adolescents who have dropped out of school but demonstrate a desire to improve their potential for successful and productive lives, according to the foundation鈥檚 website.
In 1993, the National Guard founded the Youth ChalleNGe Program to give troubled youth the opportunity to turn theirlives around.
The U.S. Department of Defense provides 75 percent of the cost after startup with the state kicking in the remainder.
鈥淲e believe it鈥檚 a wise investment for the state in terms of helping these young people, and also a wise investment in utilizing facilities right here on this campus,鈥� Deal said.
The voluntary, preventive program helps young people improve their life skills, education levels and employment potential.
鈥淭his academy will give those, who have given up on themselves in many cases, an opportunity for a second chance,鈥� Deal said.
Sixteen-to-18-yearold male and female high school dropouts are eligible to apply for the 17-month program, which includes a five-month residential phase followed by a 12-month mentoring phase.
The rigorous 22week, in-residence program builds self esteem, teaches kids leadership, teamwork and how to be self reliant.
Adjutant General for the Georgia Department of Defense Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth said the existing Georgia YCA campuses succeed because they are isolated.
The CSH campus is a perfect fit.
鈥淭he kids feel like all of the distractions that have gotten them to the point of being high school dropouts are gone,鈥� Butterworth said. 鈥淭he one thing they can focus on without family, gang violence or other distractions is educating themselves and preparing for their future. That鈥檚 what this location brings.鈥�
Georgia YCA graduates now earn a high school diploma.
To date, 35 YCA鈥檚 have graduated more than 120,000 participants. Georgia boasts 13,000 cadet grads in the last 20 years.
鈥淎s a general rule, that鈥檚 13,000 people who might have headed to our state prison system. Now, they are headed to get a job,鈥� Deal said.
Director of the Fort Stewart YCA Dr. Roger Lotson has 21 years of experience supervising the successful youth program.
鈥淥ne year after graduation, 80 percent are doing something productive either in school, the military or working productively,鈥� Lotson said.
Lotson is optimistic about the growing YCA footprint.
鈥淚t gives us greater capacity because the high school drop-out rate in Georgia is so high,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his will give us another 400 or 500 more we can help per year.鈥�
The 麻豆传媒Porn connection offers opportunity for ChalleNGe graduates.
鈥淗aving a potential option to go across the street to 麻豆传媒Porn is a great partnership,鈥� Butterworth said.
Brig. Gen. Curt Rauhut, 麻豆传媒Porn鈥檚 chief operating officer, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, leader of the Georgia National Guard, are excited to bring the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP) to Central State Hospital鈥檚 Boland building. Deal announced the proposed 125-job project Friday (August 15,2014).
