About Us
2014 YCA Overall from Hawaii Department of Defense on Vimeo.
Mission
The mission of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is to to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old “at promise” youth, producing program graduates with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.
The Program
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a community-based program that leads, trains and mentors 16-18 year old youth so that they may become productive citizens in America’s future.
This award-winning program has been recognized as one of the nation’s most effective and cost efficient programs for targeting youth who are at the greatest risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and criminal activity.
Our Vision
The Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy’s endeavor is to provide the State of Hawaii a premier progressive alternative school for “at-promise” youth that focuses on lessons in character, education, moral values, life-coping skills and responsible citizenship.
Core Components
The 22-week Residential Phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth’s community.
The eight core components of the program are:
– Academy Excellence – Health and Hygiene – Job Skills – Leadership/Followership
– Life Coping Skills – Service to the Community – Physical Fitness – Responsible Citizenship
Hawaii – Youth ChalleNGe Program Success
- 78% of ChalleNGe graduates receive their high school equivalency diploma.
- 48% join the workforce.
- 19% continue their education.
- 6% join the military.
- Program participants donate over 9,000 hours of community service annually, valued at more than $175,000.
- The Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy has awarded more than 3,800 academic credentials