Our nation is in danger of losing a generation of our youth to crime and delinquency. Nearly 33 million young Americans do not have a high school degree. Each year, more than a million of our youth’s drop out of school and slip between the cracks. The majority will end up incarcerated, unemployed, underemployed, or on federal assistance.
The National Guard Youth “ChalleNGe” Program was founded in 1993 to provide troubled youth who are deemed to be most “at-risk,” an opportunity to improve their potential for a successful and productive life. The program is authorized and funded through the Department of Defense on a cost-share basis; 60% federal - 40% state. With 33 programs in 27 states plus Puerto Rico, more than 85,000 cadets have graduated; a 96% success rate.
Although the Youth ChalleNGe Program has produced outstanding results, our nation needs to do more! Senator Blanche Lincoln has introduced legislation (S.645) that would fund new programs at 100 percent for the first two fiscal years, and change the federal/state cost share to 75/25 percent for existing programs.
NGAUS lauds Senator Lincoln for her enthusiastic support of this vital program that will help thousands of our nation’s youth become productive, employed, and law-abiding citizens. Contact your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor Senator Lincoln’s amendment of Title 32 (S.645) to modify the Department of Defense share of expenses and enable more states to establish National Guard Youth Challenge Programs.
