Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe

We Support Second Chances

Home KYYC - http://2abetterme.com/The Kentucky National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program 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.

In 1993, the National Guard founded the Youth ChalleNGe Program to give troubled youth the opportunity to turn their lives around. A voluntary, preventive program, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP) helps young people improve their life skills, education levels and employment potential. Sixteen-to-18-year-old 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.
 

Measurable Outcomes

Led by professionals who emphasize structure, discipline, education and life skills, the Youth ChalleNGe Program provides those who drop out of school the chance to grow into productive and accomplished young adults. MDRC, a social policy research organization, recently concluded a multi-year evaluation of the Youth ChalleNGe Program and found it significantly improves the educational attainment, employability and income earning potential of those who participate in the program.

A recent RAND Corporation cost-benefit analysis found the Youth ChalleNGe Program generates $2.66 in benefits for every dollar expended on the program, a return on investment of 166 percent. This return is substantially above that for other rigorously evaluated social programs that target disadvantaged youth. Recently, Promising Practices Network identified the ChalleNGe Program as a “proven” program.
 

Authorization and Oversight

Authorized and funded through the Department of Defense, National Guard Bureau is responsible for management and oversight of the 35 ChalleNGe academies that have graduated more than 120,000 participants to date.
 

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Visit the KYYC online:  http://2abetterme.com/

Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe News

Kentucky National Guard supports Bardstown Christmas Parade, strengthens community bonds
December 23, 2024
Kentucky National Guard Soldiers with Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Brigade took part in the 2024 Bardstown Christmas Parade, Dec. 5, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Milt Spalding)

Tri-state cadets compete at Fort Knox challenge
April 29, 2024
Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy cadets celebrate as their team wins a volleyball match Friday, April 26.

Transforming Lives: Kentucky Youth ChalleNGe Program empowers the next generation
August 10, 2023
Cadets visited the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky on May 8, 2023 where they got the opportunity to ride in a Blackhawk helicopter.

Kentucky Guard gives helicopter rides to ChalleNGe Academy cadets
April 21, 2022
Each year they partner with the Guard and allow the teens to get a ride over Frankfort in a military aircraft. Something these kids never imagined getting to do and are even scared to do.

Governor Beshear, Kentucky National Guard remember the fallen
May 31, 2021
Governor Beshear, Kentucky National Guard remember the fallen

Kentucky First Lady and Adjutant General Visit ChalleNGe Academy
April 23, 2021
Britainy Beshear, first lady of Kentucky, speaks to teachers and students

Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy

Contact Us

465 Grays Drive
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(606) 574-0303; (855) 569-4927
admissions@challengeaca.com
https://www.challengeaca.com
https://www.facebook.com/acaharlan

Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy

Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy

Contact Us

114 Conroy Avenue
Fort Knox, KY 40121
(606) 574-0303; (855) 569-4927
bcacadet@bcachallenge.com
https://www.bcachallenge.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bcachallenge