National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Project

Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy

West Virginia

The mission of the West Virginia Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is to train and mentor selected at-risk youth to become contributing members of society using the 8 Core Components in a quasi-military environment during a 22-week residential and one year follow-up Post-Residential program.

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Requirements

What Is Required of a Mentor?

  • Commits to spending at least 7 months in contact with the cadet during the Post-Residential phase.
  • Attend a five hour mentor orientation/training to learn how to effectively relate to cadets, to become familiar with program policies and guidelines and to become acquainted with the case manager and other mentors in his/her area.
  • Assists the cadet with the implementation of the life plan that he/she develops in the residential phase.
  • Makes consistent contact with the cadet by telephone, mail or in person.  Four hours per month are required. Ideally these contacts are made one hour per week with at least two of them face to face contacts.
  • Observes all Program policies and guidelines for mentors.
  • Refers the cadet to community resources as needed and helps the cadet obtain those resources.
  • Submit to a background check.
  • Submits a monthly report form to the Regional Coordinator. A mentor promptly informs the Case Manager of problems or needs in the cadet's life or problems with the mentor/mentee relationship.

How Can I Become a Mentor?

  • Complete an online application [PDF Free Adobe Download] and mail it to:
            Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy
            P.O. Box 586
            Kingwood, WV 26537
  • Submit to background check (information included in mentor packet mailed out once application is received)
  • Contact Case Manager to schedule your Mentor Training Date.
  • Attend Mentor Training.

Volunteer position but rewards are limitless!