Youth ChalleNGe Program-A Life Saving Impact

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

David Bill, Georgia Youth Challenge ProgramFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Program

First Presenter’s Email Address

david.bill@gaycp.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

David has served in both the military and in education. His military career, of nearly 30 years, began in 1981 when he earned his commission as an Army Officer from Georgia Military College. He served in various positions with the Georgia National Guard, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Public Affairs Specialist telling the extraordinary story of Georgia’s heroes. David returned to GMC as the ROTC Recruiting Officer in 1989. In 1992, he transitioned to an enrollment management position with GMC, where he served with distinction until departing in 2016. David came to the Youth Challenge Program, as Deputy Director for the new Milledgeville campus. In 2018, David was asked to create a state-wide recruiting outreach program. David has an undergraduate degree in Business and a graduate degree in Public Administration from Georgia College & State University and a graduate degree in Mass Communications from Walden University.

Location

Session Five Breakouts

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

The consequences of dropping out of high school can have serious, long-term repercussions not only for individuals but for families, communities, and society at large. The Youth ChalleNGe Program was created as a means to provide a positive future to those who believe that there is a better life if they would only make a decision to Dream, Believe, and Achieve!

The Youth ChalleNGe Program is a voluntary alternative education program open to 16 to 18-year who are behind academically or have already left school and who are looking for a way to change their lives through education, service to the community, physical fitness, and life skills training. This 22-week residential military-style, this tuition-free program helps young people earn their GED, or High School diploma and offers pathways to enroll in college, enter the workforce or join the military.

Since 1993, Georgia has graduated over 18,605 young people from this program and over 50% have earned an academic credential, either a GED or High School diploma, that provided them the ticket to a more productive future.

Brief Program Description

This presentation will provide details of the opportunities to assist “youth at risk,” ages 16-18, who are in need of a structured residential program that will develop the intellect and elevate the character of these young people. The Youth ChalleNGe Program is one of the best alternatives to provide these young people the Second Chance at a productive life.

Summary

We will describe the Youth ChalleNGe Program as a tuition-free 17 month program divided into two phases. The first phase is a military-like, 22-week resident program at one of our three academies.

The second phase is a 12-month mentor monitored return to school, work, military, or other endeavors according to the cadet's goals.

To develop the “whole person”, we will describe the eight Core Components that are the focus of the YCP curriculum: Academic Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Responsible Citizenship, Leadership/Followership, Service to Community, Health & Hygiene, and Physical Fitness.

We will also discuss the Job ChalleNGe Academy which offers vocational training to graduates of the Youth ChalleNGe program which continues the development of skills necessary for young people to join the workforce.

We will provide informational materials, brochures, and other items for attendees.

This presentation provides details of the opportunity to assist “youth at risk” in their schools who are in need of a structured program that will develop their intellect and elevate their character.

The Youth ChalleNGe Program is the best alternative to provide these young people a Second Chance at a productive life. Allowing educators to have this tool in their toolkit makes them a for this often forgotten school population.

Evidence

National ChalleNGe Program statistics:

• 408,737 Applicants
• 233,254 Enrollees
• 173,319 Graduates
• 130,062 Academic Credentials Awarded (GED, High School Diploma, High School and/or College Credit)
• 11,617,539 Hours of Service to Communities valued at $233,920,825
  • Note: https://www.independentsector.org/resource/the-value-of-volunteer-time/ (national average $24.69 per hour)

Learning Objective 1

Understand the mission of the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Program (GaYCP): "Through training, discipline, and mentoring, the Georgia National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program provides the education, leadership, character development, and life coping skills to Georgia's youth so they may become successful members of society."

Learning Objective 2

Note that the focus population for the GaYCP are 16-18 year old Georgia students who have dropped out or are at risk of not completing high school.

Learning Objective 3

Recognize the eight Core Components that are the focus of the GaYCP: Education Excellence, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Leadership/Followership, Responsible Citizenship, Service to Community, Health & Hygiene, and Physical Fitness.

Keyword Descriptors

Challenge, Youth at Risk, Structure, Discipline, Education, Alternative Education

Presentation Year

2022

Start Date

3-8-2022 10:15 AM

End Date

3-8-2022 11:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Bill, David, "Youth ChalleNGe Program-A Life Saving Impact" (2022). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 49.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2022/2022/49