National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Project

Commonwealth ChalleNGe

Virginia

The mission of the Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Program is to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth by providing the values, skills, education, and self-discipline needed to produce responsible, productive citizens, and to do so in a highly disciplined atmosphere.

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Mentors

Dear Mentor Applicant:

Each year, 14,000 Virginia youths leave high school before graduating. In today's society, a young adult without a high school education is seriously at risk of never succeeding in a high tech world where the demand for better trained individuals increases daily. A mentor, such as yourself, can truly make a difference in the life of an "at-risk" youth.

As a mentor, you will be responsible for helping your cadet attain his/her
post-residential goals of continued education, gainful employment, or both. You will be a role model charged with a big responsibility: helping your cadet stay focused, encouraging him/her to make sound decisions; and acting as an advocate on his/her behalf. Mentors and Academy staff track cadet progress in the Post-Residential Phase of the ChalleNGe Program.

While working with your youth, you may find yourself ChalleNGed as well.
You may often question the advice you give; wonder if your cadet is really listening; and will occasionally (and we hope not too often) ask yourself, "Is it really worth it?" Please keep in mind that just agreeing to be a mentor is a tremendous step and can be the foundation for a relationship that can lead to a real difference in the life of a youth. Many "at risk" youth, such as those at Commonwealth ChalleNGe, have at one time or another found it difficult to trust or to "count on" an adult and have an innate sense of anxiety and uncertainty. ChalleNGe staff will provide a training/orientation session for you and your mentee. You will be given materials that will help you and the cadet begin to build a  lasting and meaningful relationship.

Again, welcome to the Commonwealth ChalleNGe and thank you for taking that first step that truly makes a difference in the life of a Youth ChalleNGe cadet.

Please complete the mentor application and return it with the youth's application Package.

If you have any questions, please contact our Mentor Coordinator, at 1-800-796-6472 or 757-491-5932 ext. 240.

Sincerely,

Colonel Thomas Early, Ret.
Director
Commonwealth ChalleNGe