More Parent Testimonials

Parent Testimonials

Parents are the most vocal and eloquent about the positive results that ChalleNGe has produced in their children's lives.   Below are just a few of the many stories from pleased parents.  If you are a proud ChalleNGe parent, email us your story today: info@ngycp.org

I wanted to ensure that the nation knows what an outstanding program this is for young men and women who are in search of discipline and focus in their lives.   When my son graduated from the program in June of 2005, I was overjoyed at how much he had changed and grown into a responsible, disciplined, and dedicated young man.  He still faced challenges when he finished but he had positive influence and moral discipline to help him get started.   He tried attending a local community college, but could not find his career calling so he worked for a while in local restaurants then headed to a one year bible college at the Word of Life Ministries in Fort Meyers, FL.  He did very well and found his focus and calling in helping the young people of today's world find a life in serving God.  He is now attending a one year Cambridge College program entitled, "Year- Up" in Arlington, VA (www.yearup.org). It is a training program that focus's on information computer systems skills and network administration.  They also teach business writing and corporate behavior skills before going off to a six month apprenticeship program to prepare students for the workforce. 

He will graduate in July 2008 and we hope that he is hired at a local business and pursues his dream of becoming a Christian Rap Artist.    All of this would not have been possible without the help of both his mentors, Mr. Gregory Alex Scruggs and Mr. Wesley Joyner both retired United States Air Force Sergeants. 

Mr. Alex Scruggs was a teacher of history at the Maryland Freestate Challenge Academy and was recently killed in a car accident in Maryland on Wednesday the 26^th of December 2007 so please pray for his family and know that Alex helped to encourage a lot of young people realize their potential!  He was a minister, a father, and a husband.  He was military veteran and a great man!   I pray that the young men and women involved with Freestate ChalleNGe Academy recognize their chances and keep moving forward!

I thank God for all the instructors there as well as the cadre and fellow students who have and will continue to press forward and make their way in this world. 

Please reach out to us here to let us know how we can help.

Thank you and God Bless

Ms. Kimberly R Brown (Retired Tech Sgt USAF)

Mr. Jamaal P Brown (Freestate Challenge Academy Graduate-June 2005)

First and foremost, I would like to thank the cadre and staff of the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Academy (FT Gordon) for their caring, love, and commitment to our at risk youth.  Without programs such as this I believe our young adults would not have a second chance in life.  My son was headed down the wrong path and the last 5 months has positively changed his outlook on life.  I've always known deep in my heart that he is a very intelligent young man and will go far in life if he applies himself.  Like many young kids, my son made some bad decisions that would have affected his future if he continued down this path.  The Youth ChalleNGe Program has afforded him the opportunities and experiences that he would not have had in a public high school.  He's learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, followership, and most importantly that there are consequences for every choice he makes.  He's shared with me his fond memories of the academy and all the friends he made while attending the program.  He received a scholarship and plans on enlisting in the U.S. Army.  I am very proud of my son and like every parent I want to see him excel in life and wish that all his dreams come true.  I hope and pray that the Youth ChalleNGe Program is able to continue to help young adults who require a little guidance in their lives. 

Again, a sincere appreciation and thanks to the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Academy at FT Gordon, GA. 

With Sincere Gratitude,
Paradee Lynema

Dear Grizzly Staff (every last one of you!):

It seems so very difficult to express my gratitude to the Grizzly Youth Academy with words, but what follows is my feeble (and perhaps, long-winded) attempt to express that gratitude to Grizzly and the wonderful and committed individuals that work there:

I have to tell you how bursting with excitement I am every day that I hear about the things that Grizzly is doing for children that just aren't making it in a traditional high school setting.  My son, Travis Leon, was in Class 17, Top Dogg Platoon 3.  It had been a very long time since I had been hopeful about his progress in school – I was so used to feeling desperate and at a loss for what to do to help him.  After all, I came from a family of teachers, my daughter was doing well in college, and all that I could think was, "what did I do wrong, why doesn't he get it, and what can I do to help him?"  I felt so hopeless and I felt that the options being made available to complete high school on time were becoming very limited.  What he accomplished and learned at Grizzly brought back wonderful emotions about my son and his chances for success – emotions of enthusiasm, gratitude, hopefulness, pride and even awe!   Grizzly brought out all of the strength, motivation and goodness that I knew was in my son, but which no one else, not counselors, grandparents, mentors nor pastors had been able to reach.   My son never had an issue with gangs, drugs, drinking, parties, drama, or any of those typical high school challenges.  He was always very mature and made good and very difficult choices to stay away from those things.  His challenge was school.  He was not able to find success at high school, and as a result, despite how smart I believed he was, he was at the point of being a drop out.  I know he may have still found some way to be successful in his life, but it would have been a long, hard road without benefit of a high school education.  I wish I could put my feelings into words to describe the gratitude I feel for the staff at Grizzly and the excitement I feel about the doors that have been opened for my son through his experience there.

Friends and family asked me why I would choose to send my son away from a loving, supportive home and into the arms of "strangers" to raise.  My response was always the same.  My son was smart, but he wasn't going to be successful in school – and I couldn't just let that happen – not without trying every viable alternative available.  I had to love my son enough to let him go – to give him the opportunity to become successful.  I learned about Grizzly from my 80+ – year old neighbor (who is, I have no doubt, an angel in our lives).  I studied the Grizzly website for over a year before encouraging my son to apply, I read about all of the privileges it offered and I read the Bulletin Board daily to learn as much as I could about what other parents were experiencing while their child was at Grizzly.  I attended a tour with my son where we were able to talk to other Cadets and see their hope, listen to their goals and feel their enthusiasm for the future that lay ahead of them.  We saw all of this and we also heard the student's continual praise for Grizzly academy and all of the staff.  These kids not only respected the staff, they had grown to love them and think of them as family as well.  I never saw those kinds of emotions when I toured our local "alternative school" or independent study programs.  Too often in those settings I saw anger, despair, sadness and lack of hope.  My son came away from that tour committed to attending Grizzly and excited about the opportunities that would be provided for him there.  He realized that it offered him a positive way out of the educational abyss that he found himself in at the age of 16.

My son gained so much more than a school education at Grizzly.  He has grown into a very focused, respectful, and goal-oriented young man.  He is currently enrolled at a junior college close to home, will work in a local business, and is focusing on an Administration of Justice diploma with an emphasis in Psychology.  I have no doubt that he will reach his goals – Grizzly has given him the tools to get there – or anywhere else that he sets his mind on.

Another big change that came about was in the relationship between my son and his older sister.  Having always been a very good student, she found it impossible to tolerate a brother who seemed doomed to become a high school drop out and their relationship was strained.  During the first Family Day celebration at Grizzly I remember feeling such pride as my son was announced Platoon Guide and came out calling cadence while marching his platoon.  But, what struck me even more, was when I looked over at my daughter and saw tears of pride and love running down her face for her brother – a nut was cracked on that very special day in their relationship and the love and pride that has grown between the two of them is more than any mother could hope for.  Again – another gift from Grizzly.

As a divorced and single mother (my children's father passed away several years ago), trying to support my daughter in her college education away from home, I am very challenged financially.   But, while I may not be rich in finances, I feel as if I struck the Lottery in a very big way with the lifetime benefits that I know enriched my son during his time at Grizzly.  I gave Grizzly a 16 year old boy who needed something that neither the traditional high school nor a supportive family setting could give him, and they gave me back a 17 year old young man who is a responsible, respectful, happy, productive, patriotic (and very physically fit) member of society who I am sure will become a leader in whatever he endeavors to accomplish.  I sent my son to Grizzly knowing he had the potential to accomplish good things there – little did I know he would receive the Director's Award for Achievement in all areas (educational, physical achievement, leadership skills, etc.), achieve the status of an Honor Graduate and receive an invitation to accompany some of the staff to Washington DC this year to represent Grizzly!  He surprised our entire family when his name was announced as the recipient of the Director's Award at Graduation – we nearly fell out of the second floor balcony at Cal Poly!  I am so grateful for all of the wonderful staff at Grizzly that helped him to accomplish so much and very happy to be able to say that I am so proud of him.
 
Again, Grizzly staff, thank you so very, very much!
 
With an abundance of heartfelt love and gratitude,

Robin Leon
Mother of Cadet Travis Leon, 3rd Platoon, Top Doggs, Class 17

No words can express my gratitude for what the Florida Youth Challe

NG

e Academy did for my son.  Just like most of the young men and women who attend the YC, they were unfocused, unchallenged and heading in the wrong direction.  As I write this letter today, my son is in Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and ready to fulfill his goals.  He came home after graduating in December 2005 and worked full time for awhile and realized he missed the lifestyle of what your program taught him.  He states in his letters that he loves his platoon and he is a Guide On for almost 200 soldiers.  I'm so proud to be his mother.  He is my only son and the only one to carry on the name, so of course I'm nervous for him.  But he wants this more than he's wanted anything.  Without the YC he says he would probably have been headed for the unknown and I'm sure of it.

Angela Brewer

(Very proud parent)

My son, Alex Button, is a graduate of Class 15 so it has been almost a year since he first went to GYA.

Alex was 17, very over weight, going to home school, when he felt like it, up all night sleeping all day and not motivated to do much unless it had to do with partying.

When Alex first got to GYA he told me he was only going for me. My thought was what ever it takes'. Alex has never completed anything in his life, so I was pretty worried but I went ahead and bought all new sweats, hats, shoes, and anything else that was on the list to give Alex the best possible attitude that I thought I could.

The first week there he wanted to come home, but with the guidance of the counselors and cadre at GYA Alex was talked into staying. Through the 5 months of discipline and camaraderie, help, caring, friendship, guidance and patience, I am proud to say that my son went in a boy and came out a responsible, caring man with goals for his life, something that he never had.

The staff and cadre not only supported Alex, they supported me and my family. They kept us informed about the successes that all of the kids had daily. We got to see pictures of our kids and the changes that were taking place were absolutely amazing. The first time I talked to Alex after he finished Pre-ChalleNGe, I could tell the difference.

Alex is now a productive citizen, an adult with focus and motivation to be better. This would have not happened if Alex didn't go to GYA. I was at a loss.  He looks good and has a great attitude.

Alex still talks to a lot of the kids from GYA. There is a bond there that can never be broken. When he is down or is having issues with something, he turns to them for guidance.

As upset as Alex would get at the cadre, he misses them everyday and if he could he would go back.  I could go on and on with stories. The program at GYA is priceless. I don't know where my son would be without them.

Thank you,

Sally McHaley

Proud Mom of Cadet Button Class 15

About two years ago, a friend of mine bought a house here in Tehachapi. In the back yard was a small tattered apple tree. It was overgrown, had many broken branches and was totally infested with earwigs, ants and other pests. It was an awful-looking thing that was only in the way and didn't seem worth the effort to save.

They were going to cut it down so they could plant something pretty and cheerful. But they eventually decided that maybe they could give the tree one more chance to become an asset to the yard.

So they set out to prune and clean and nurture the little guy. They staked up some of the branches, only to have them fall; they cut off the suckers, only to have them grow back; they sprayed for the bugs, only to have them return.

After the first year the tree looked a little better. It was still an eyesore with its straggly branches and out-of-balance appearance. It wasn't producing anything and was still a thorn in the yard. The husband still wanted to get rid of it; he was tired of dealing with it.

Well, mother wasn't as willing to give up on it quite yet. She felt there was still hope that with just a little more TLC and guidance, this little tree could be a producing member of the garden.

She sought out the guidance of a tree professional. After the pruning was done correctly and the bugs were treated with the right spray and the branches were propped up in the appropriate way, things looked better. After one more season they would make up their minds whether or not to give up on the tree.

Well, lo and behold, about three weeks ago this little tree was just loaded with little applets. They knew that not all of these little balls will grow up to be good apples and there might be a few worms to deal with.

But they have earned the glory and pride of knowing that they did all they could do to help this tree, and that the tree had the will to survive its adversities. They look forward to soon enjoying the sweetest fruit. Time will tell as to the size and sweetness of the fruit, but chances are they will be eating apple pie in no time at all.

Cast in this play:

Little apple tree: our Cadets
Husband and wife: (that's us)
Tree Professionals: no brainer, that would be GRIZZLY STAFF

Thank you for taking the time and love to properly prune and prop and debug our little apple trees. It is with much love and respect to you that we wait for the future seasons to enjoy the fruits of these labors of love.

Respectfully,
Diane Kunick
Cadet Aton's mom 2nd plt Wolverines

My son, Darrell Armstead, entered your program the summer of 2002 at Georgia Ft. Stewart. We enrolled him in the program because Darrell felt as though the world revolved around him. He was never a problem child, just a child in his own world.

When he first started I didn't think that I as a mother could handle it, but as he progressed in the program I could really see a big change in Darrell. When he graduated in Dec. 2002 it was the happiest day of my life.

He received a $500 scholarship for school that he put to good use in January at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Currently, he is a junior in school with a B+ average. He lives with roommates on campus and works for Circuit City on the Geek Squad. In August he will be going to Canada to complete his last year of studies in media arts and animation.

I am so proud of my son.  I just want to thank you all for everything that you did and for not giving up on my child. Keep up the good work.

Melanie Armstead
Georgia

Hi, I'm a proud parent of a fine young man who is attending the Youth ChalleNGe program in Minden. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You were my last chance, I had nowhere else to turn but God.

I thank God for putting you in my son's life. He looked so good for family day and when he came home for the holiday, everyone was complimenting me and him on his changes. I'm a single parent and I just love your program. After seeing my son, a few other young men want to go, because they either have quit school or are thinking bout it. I pray for them all and your program, thanks...

Have a nice day, may God bless you and your family.

Lucy Bernard
Jeanerette, Louisiana

As a parent I never thought the regular school system would let down a student who tried hard in their studies. But, needlesss to say they failed my son. BUT I am very grateful to this National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program. It has shown my son, Joshua Di Pippo, that no matter what obstacles you encounter, you can overcome if you step up and take it on. I am very proud of the achievements this program has helped my son see that he can do. He is working hard and soon to start college to become a Conservation Ranger (Wildlife Ranger). We here in the family speak VERY highly of your program. May you always be there for our children,and instill in them the values and strengths within themselves. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do, have done and will continue to do.

Sincerely,
Janine Gilbert, proud mother of Cadet Joshua S. Di Pippo

My son, Matthew Studley, graduated from the ChalleNGe Youth Program at Fort Dix, NJ, in February 2005. I've just come back from his graduation from Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and WOW! what a difference a year makes.

Last September, we un-enrolled him from high school. He flunked three courses in his sophomore year and was woefully far behind. I was convinced he probably would not finish high school on his own, and we were having ongoing problems with "shifty" behavior. Nothing extreme, but Matthew seemed less and less convinced that he needed to follow house rules, and was starting to do a little more "travelling" than he was supposed to with some questionable types of kids.

Enrolling him in ChalleNGe was an extremely hard decision. I worried that he would resent missing out on his high school years, I worried that he would get a "lesser" education, I worried, I worried, and when he was all checked in at the CYP, I worried some more. We stuck to our guns, though, and the biggest beneficiary has been our son.

Matthew graduated from the CYP a changed person. Without a doubt, he was (is) still a work in progress, but he is now on a wholly different path. His bearing was different, straighter, more respectful. He was healthy (after dropping 45 pounds at ChalleNGe), and he had, finally, a plan for his life. In May, he joined the National Guard, and now we can clearly see what kind of man he is becoming. As of this moment, he is at Fort Eustace, completing his training, and he will be home before Christmas, and then on to college.

If ever there was a testimony to the power of change you will find it at the ChalleNGe program...

Heidi Della Pesca, NJ

Thank you again Fort Stewart for what you are doing and have done with my son!!  Before sending my son to Fort Stewart, I as a mother was a little apprehensive at first about sending him because I felt like I was going to lose him and I didn't want him to think that I was 'getting rid of him'.  I had so many mixed emotions, but I KNEW I had to do something to get MY SON back on track. 

His grades weren't where they needed to be in high school and he wasn't getting ahead.  The teachers were willing to 'pass' him just so he could play football, but I knew as well as my son did, that he needed so much more. His self-esteem had dropped, he wasn't focused and was getting to the point of not caring anymore. 

I sent my son to you (Fort Stewart) and you changed my son into a proud, happy, independent, more responsible/respectful young man and I just thank God for all of you there in Fort Stewart (tears).  You have done something so amazing for my son.  I recommend to ANYONE whose child is struggling with whatever-to send him/her to Fort Stewart. 

Step out on faith and send them to Fort Stewart!!  This is the BEST PROGRAM EVER!!!

Yulanda D. Adams, Macon, Georgia
Proud Mother of Randall Alpha - 2

WHAT AN AWESOME PROGRAM! 

We can not express enough our gratitude to the Cadre and staff at the YCA at Ft. Stewart GA.

Our son was definatly on the wrong path.  Now, because of the Academy our son is in the US Navy pursuing his dream of working on jets.  The Academy opened the doors to an exciting new world and the career he has dreamed of for years.

Denise Morgan, Grovetown  GA

Proud cannot even begin to tell how I feel.
Amazed, in awe, a believer that there is a GOD and HE does hear my prayers! Thats more like it. Whatever goes on at Camp Blanding you are part of a bigger plan. You have changed my son forever and for the best. He dropped out of school a confused gothic Marilyn Manson fan and ended up graduating with a high school diploma a year before his was suppose to. Now he is on his way to adulthood and a career that will give back to the community. I love you guys for what you have given our family.........a new creation in our loving, intelligent, respectful.....Jesse.

You're wonderful FLYCA,
Carrie - Middleburg

"I am the aunt of Eric Vidal who graduated from Seaborne this last December 2004. This program has helped my nephew so much with all aspects of life that he never knew. Volunteering at the  Cancer hospital taught him so much and all the good friends that he made. This program made such an impact on our lives that now my son Juan Edgar Gonzalez who is 17 years old in the 10th grade is applying this May 15th 2005 semester. Juan is behind in school, has had bad influences, and skipping classes. After several incidences that have happened, Juan  has realized that he needs dicipline and the driving force that Seaborne has to make him succeed. His cousin has showed him the difference it can make  and wants to follow in Eric's footsteps.
Thank you Seaborne!"

Martha Gonzalez

"My son, Matthew Pumphrey, was in the class that completed Thunderbird in December, 2004, and I just wanted to let you know that Matthew graduates from Army Basic Training this Friday. Next, he's off to AIT at Ft. Sam Houston. He told me that he is one of 16 out of his battalion that has been named Honor Graduate. Each time I talked to him during basic training, he sounded more and more excited about his Army career. He, also, sounded more and more like a man, rather than a kid. He says that PT at basic training was, "nothing compared to Thunderbird PT" - his words! Don't let that get back to his commanders in the Army, because I'm sure they can change his perspective... [grin] Each time he called, he constantly talked about goals he has set and honors he plans to earn. That is not the same kid that I dropped off at Thunderbird on July 19, 2004. I credit this amazing turnaround to everyone at Thunderbird. Keep up the good work. You've not just changed a kid's life, but you've impacted an entire family. Thanks."

David Pumphrey, Oklahoma

"I would like to thank each of you for the help, guidance, encouragement, and yes, the discipline that you have given my son, Robert Hughes. When I sent my son to YC, it was because I did not know what else to do with him. He was on his way down and I could not stand by and watch it happen. Also, I refused to give up on him. I know that he wasn't a bad child, but he needed help and discipline (yes, I did discipline him but I was at a point where nothing worked). I knew that if I got any stricter he would have run away and really have gotten into trouble.

I saw in my son a very unique person (as all people are) also a confused, unhappy, and angry person. My son needed to be shown that it is OK to be different, he needed to be shown how to properly deal with his anger, and he needed to be shown how to find happiness, he needed to be shown how to find himself. This had to be done by somebody else other than family. He got that from all of you.

I gave YC an angry, confused, unhappy child, and you returned to me a not so confused, a happier, and somewhat not so angry young man. You gave me a young man with a purpose, a goal, and foundation to be a man. Also, just as important, I received back a young man who still managed to keep his uniqueness and his weird sense of humor (which I love).

I want you all to know, that I understand and realize that in order for you to give me my son, you and your family had to make a sacrifice. Thank you for making that sacrifice and thank you for not giving up on my son and the other children out there like him. Thank you for seeing the good in them and giving them a chance that many, many others would not. A special thank you to your families for sharing each of you with my son to make him a better person."

Deborah Hughes, Georgia

"THANK YOU, there is hope. PATRICK I'M SO PROUD OF YOU! My son lost interest in school (ADD), because he didn't understand, therefore he was retained to 9th grade for the 3rd time. He was hanging around the wrong crowd, smoking & drinking and had a very bad anger toward me, his mother. Being a single mom I had to work and lost control over him. My son started youth ChalleNGe in Ft Stewart GA in Jan'04. When I picked him up on his pass for the weekend, I couldnt believe that I picked up the same child that I had dropped off. He was courteous, seemed so grown up, even told me 'mom I realize I'm becoming a man.' And the biggest difference, he was a gentleman toward me and a very helpful big brother."

Angel, Georgia

"I think of all of you fondly still almost daily. I think of Seaborne as Chris leaves for work after doing his chores, giving me a hug and making my morning coffee. I think about you when he comes home, complains a bit about 'grown up work' but gets up again the next day to do it again without hesitation. And most important, I think about you when I see how he has worked so hard to mend so many family ties. I have the loving son back I used to have before he got so lost and angry with the world and I will forever thank Seaborne for their guidance in helping him find his way."

Lanya, Texas

"My daughter is a cadet at Camp Blanding, although it has only been 9 weeks, I have seen a remarkable change in her attitude. Her letters are positive, her self-esteem has been boosted and she has set goals for her future. I am forever grateful, that I was able to find a wonderful program that is there to help guide our loved ones. If it weren't for the FLYCA, I probably would have lost her to 'The Thugs of the Streets.' I Thank Everyone at Camp Blanding for their hard work, dedication and kind hearts for helping my daughter."

Ginger, Florida

"Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! I am a single mother who discovered the Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps by extensive research on the Internet. My son, who was 16 years old at the time, had continued to sabotage his life by challenging authority figures in school and the legal system. After finding out about Seaborne, we visited the facility in Galveston, Texas for a briefing about the program and a tour. That visit is the reason my son graduated from Seaborne. He had a look at something that could change his destiny. I think he kept that visit in the back of his mind, and I kept that visit alive through conversation. After getting himself into trouble, which endangered his chance to continue in a typical high school setting, he agreed to start the process and apply to Seaborne. He cleaned up his act to get into Seaborne and is now a Seaborne graduate and has obtained his GED, all just prior to turning 17 years old. I, too, learned about how to empower my son from his experience at Seaborne. This is just the beginning for my son. Had it not been for Seaborne, he would have just been another statistic. I will be forever dedicated to the continuation and success of this program and especially the individuals who have made this possible."

Liz, Texas

"I just have to say, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! For even creating this program, before my son (16 yrs.) joined he was extremely troubled, hanging out with the wrong crowd, smoking, drinking, expelled from school 3 years in a row, took a road trip 2500 miles away in the middle of the night at age 15 (barely) with an 18 yr. old I've never approved of, and finally getting into our judicial system. I searched and tried many many ways to help him realize his full potential with little to no success, finally my sister, married to a former National Guardsman, heard about the program from a former co-Guardsman and she passed the info onto me, my son hemmed and hawed, and gave the usual 'I don't know' response, after showing him the web site and him acting so negative about it I waited for him to leave the room (out of site, but not ear shot) & told my husband 'Let's just leave him alone about it, he'd never last anyway', let me tell you he immediately stormed in the room and announced, 'That's it, I'm going!' My son has only been with FLYCA for 7 weeks now, but the change is nothing short of a small miracle in my opinion, his confidence in himself is amazing, he's once again physically fit, and looking to the future, not just the here and now. It is this mothers opinion that every state should have a National Guard Youth ChalleNGe academy. Any parent who is considering this program should try their hardest to convince their son/daughter to give it a try, the first few weeks are the hardest on parents and candidates, but it gets easier. I just can't say enough about the program, or thank you enough!"

Marie, Florida

"I am a mother of a 17 yr. old son who graduated from Class XX Nevada ChalleNGe Program in AZ. I am so thankful for this program I have become a volunteer, so I can help other young men and women realize their dreams. My son is now enrolled in CCSN as a full-time student and has a 4.0 GPA. In May 2004 he will have completed his first year of college. His goal is to someday become an engine builder for NASCAR. He always knew what he wanted to do in life, but somewhere along the way he lost sight of his dreams. When we heard about this best kept secret, we knew this was his last chance. We are very proud to say he is once again focused on his life goals and with a lot of support from us his parents and mentor, I believe he will make it! He has a 16 yr. old sister who is so impressed with the program and even attended the out-reach during her brother's residential part of the program, she will be attending Class 23 in July of 2004. She hopes to go onto Post-Secondary Schooling to become a Photo Journalist."

Grateful Parents
Las Vegas, NV

"My son will be 17 in January. This program has changed him from a boy to a man. This young man wants and is already becoming the best he can be. He has only a few weeks left in the program and it seems as if he were born into this program. I just want to thank you all, you really helped me and my family, more than you can even imagine."

--Victoria

"My son was accepted in YCP, New location near Minden, LA. I was in search for something that could turn his life around and make him realize he can make something out of his Life. In the 2 months that he has been there, I am SO PROUD to say he is a changed young man. I got to see him Family Day, and he told me that he felt like for once in his life he had accomplished something, and he was so proud of his TABE scores. He is looking forward to Graduation, and so am I. That will be a day I will never forget. All of the Cadres, I want to Thank them for all of the training, self-discipline they have taught my son. I am so grateful for his teacher, and his counselor that he has. I am just thankful that we took this step, a for sure step that is forward for his future. Thank You Everyone that is a part of this program."

Sherry Stephens

"My son is a cadet in the NJCYP in Fort Dix, NJ. He is been there for a month already, and he came home for the first time on Easter weekend, my son was totally different, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Before leaving to this program, all he said was "I don't know". At this point he wants to graduate from this program and joint the military service when he turned 18 yrs old. Thanks to this program I save my son from the streets. I know he will be a productive man. I am very proud of him. Thank You NJ National Guard ChalleNGe Youth Program and their staff for everything you do for our kids."

Jeanette Ojeda 

My son Thomas "Paul" Clunan just graduated from the first Alabama class. We are so proud of all his accomplishments. This program changed his way of thinking and his life. He is so confident about what he can achieve now. Before enrolling in the academy, he was beginning to make some bad choices and he was getting frustrated with school. He graduated from the academy with the highest Academic Excellence Award and many other accomplishments. I commend the academic teachers at the academy. Whatever method they used to help the kids prepare for the GED really works.  Paul had the highest score at the academy and the 4th highest in the state of Alabama. He has always had a goal of entering the Army but the academy gave him the boost to go forward.  Yesterday he enlisted in the Alabama National Guard. He now has visions and plans for his future military career and of attending college. I highly recommend this program to any teenager who needs help with focus, discipline, and confidence.  

PFC Clunan's mom
Lisa Tucker
National Children's Advocacy Center
Prevention Department

If you are a proud ChalleNGe parent, email us your story today: info@ngycp.org