I saw my granddaughter c/pvt Barfield over her leave period. Thank you for all you have helped her achieve. I was so proud of her attitude, her respect, her ability to monitor herself and pride in the way she talked. I know this experience will provide her a better life lesson to draw on for future situations. I hope and pray that she will continue to benefit from what your staff is trying to instill in her and all the other young people.
Anna Rosa
Hi,
I have seen all the videos you posted of your son in the Washington youth academy. I’m not really sure what I wanted to say in writing you a letter. I don’t think I can really tell you how proud you should be of him, because you obviously are very, very proud. I guess what I wanted to tell you is that being that proud of him means more to him than you will ever really know. My name is Cpl. Chamberlin, a former Cadet, and I graduated from the first Wolf Pack class. There is no way I can convey to you the amount of emotion that each and every cadet gets with every letter, every phone call, family day, and every kind of communication they receive from their family and loved ones. I’m in the National Guard now and have stopped by every month to visited Wolf Pack when I am at drill. Every time I see them it almost brings a tear to my eye. It brings back so many memories of all the things I went through. I want to thank you for posting the videos you have. After you posted the one during family day of the Wolf Pack chant and motto someone from Wolf Packs first class started sending it around to all of the former cadets (we are still very much a family) and I can tell you it very nearly brought every one of us to tears. To tell you the truth we all miss it there. Again, I’m not really sure what my point or goal is in sending you this. I just want to let you know that your videos are greatly appreciated by all the former cadets, not just Wolf Pack. We actually all talk now. I also wanted you to know that it is the motivation and encouragement that gets your son and all the other cadets through the Academy just as much as their own power of will. The Washington Youth Academy was the hardest thing I have ever done and the best.
Best wishes,
Former Cadet Cpl. Chamberlin
Hello, our son Steven Robert Lynch is in the 2nd Platoon this class and just came home for his first pass. He absolutely loves this program! Thanks. The initial changes in him were fantastic, by the third day of the pass I could feel him slipping into old habits so for our next visit home I will be sure to have lots of things to keep him on his toes and out of the other situations (i.e. young ladies).
I really just wanted all of you to know that I'm very grateful for this program and I've already told several others about it. You all are doing a wonderful job with our children. Steven has always loved the military way of life and I'm sure he will make it a career choice now that he knows he can do it. Again, thank you to all of you there at Washington Youth Academy.
Melodi Lynch
To the entire staff of the Washington Youth Academy, THANK YOU!!! September 1st, 2009
Our son, Thomas, is a member of the second class that started July 19th 2009. There were a lot of hard decisions leading up to Thomas’ enrollment, starting with getting him to agree to go to the “Open House” just to listen to what you had to say. Reluctantly, he agreed. He is 16 ½ and although he has not gotten into a lot of big trouble, he was starting to go down the wrong path, with wrong friends and dabble into things that impaired his judgment and ability to see beyond where he was in life. To him, he was just having fun and his friends were more important to him than school or a future. I’m sure a lot of parents know what I’m talking about. So wanting to please us and see if there was something else out there for him, he agreed to “Check it out”. There were things he heard at the Open House that he liked and some he did not, (at first) but overall he was open to the idea.
The WYA is very detailed and well prepared. They make you feel and understand that they have your children’s best interest at heart and I think what was a leading factor in our son being more interested, was that he was NOT being punished, and he actually had to be “INVITED” and he was one of hundreds who applied. All of a sudden his attitude changed to “I hope they invite us to the Orientation.” From that point on he asked every day, “did they call, did you hear, am I invited?” Once we were invited to the Orientation he was calling all of his friends to let them know.
The day of Orientation was exciting and we were all very nervous as well. We still had to get through the whole day, the parents going one way and the kids going another. They were busy the entire day and we had no idea what the outcome would be. Thankfully, (and obviously) Thomas did get invited to attend the WYA and was he was thrilled, he was also a little frightened. We were excited and a little bit anxious, too.
The day came to bring Thomas to his first day at WYA. It was filled with emotions mixed with major pride. With the last hugs there were tears (mostly from me - mom) and words of “Remember, we love you and are proud of you. You can do this! Take advantage of this opportunity since not everyone gets this special opportunity and remember - you were chosen! Make it work for you and you’ll benefit for the rest of your life.”
The first two weeks are called “Hard Core”. We just thought of it as a type of boot camp. We were glad to be given the opportunity and Thomas knew he made it this far and he was going to make it through “Hard Core”. Our first letter from him came within a couple of days and I can’t remember EVER being so excited to get a letter in the mail, EVER! It was short and basically said, “It isn’t easy here, but I can handle it.” He then made some crack saying, “I hope I don’t really have to stay”, but I knew he was just saying it, to say it. The next letter came a few days later and what a great letter it was. He said he was having fun, liked the staff, was making some great friends and getting into great shape.
Needless to say, he made it through “Hard Core” and was granted both a call home (THANK YOU!!) and his uniform! When we heard his voice I immediately knew he was not only okay, but actually enjoying himself. He said his goal was to be “Platoon Leader” and they were getting ready to start school soon. He said he missed us very much, even his younger brother! As a side note, he and his brother fought a lot and got on each other’s nerves even though they love each other as brother do, it was like pulling teeth to get photo’s together, etc. Now, Thomas tells Tyler he misses and loves him and can’t wait to see him! It’s the same for his brother, Tyler. Tyler tells Thomas, “I love you bro” when they talk and Thomas responds with, “I love you, too.” That melts a mother’s heart.
Now that they’ve started school his reports are, “ALL of my teachers are great.” He only said that about TWO of his teachers at his regular schools. He tells us how he is getting good at math again and has taken up reading; saying he LOVES IT!! Every time I talk to him he has something positive to say about school, the staff, and especially the new “Lifelong friends” he is making - (His description).
The Washington Youth Academy has been an answer to our prayers for our son, Thomas. Up until now he was not motivated at all, did not care (or at least his attitude was such) if he graduated school or not. He would not participate in sports (although he did in Elementary school and Jr. High) and basically just wanted to text, play video games, and hang out with kids that weren’t going anywhere. We KNEW he could do more, but he needed to believe in himself. We wore ourselves out telling him “You’re not stupid, you can do anything you put your mind to. YOU have to put some effort into it, too, and we can’t make you want to be successful! You have a purpose in life and you need to find where your passion lies.” Thomas thought he “didn’t have what it took” and had absolutely no interest in school whatsoever. The 180 degree change we saw in just the first 2 weeks, and now almost 7 weeks later, we cannot stop telling anyone and everyone who will listen how proud we are of our son!
Today is Monday, August 31, 2009, and we are anxiously waiting for Friday, the day we will get to see Thomas for the first time. We miss him more than words can describe, but we also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we ALL made the right decision.
Thank you Washington Youth Academy!!!!!
The Doty Family
My son Zachary was part of the first graduating class at the Washington Youth Academy. Zachary is a good kid, but was seriously behind in credits to graduate with his class, and lacked direction. Thank goodness, a family friend told us about the Washington Youth Academy. Zach, his dad and myself decided WYA would be the best option for him. Off he went to Bremerton in January. Initially it was odd to have him gone...but as the months wore on, I missed my boy terribly, and he missed home. He and I both knew that he had to stick it out because it was the only option he had left for himself. I soon developed a raport with his Cadre, 1LT Byass-Roscoe via e-mail and phone which somewhat kept me abreast of Zach's goings on at WYA. After speaking with James (1LT Byass-Roscoe) and e-mailing back and forth, I was comforted by the fact that I knew my son was good hands. Despite his tough exterior to the kids, 1LT Byass-Roscoe, cares so much for the kids in his care, all the Cadres and staff do. I am so thankful for this program and can not say enough about the Cadres, especially James, and Staff at WYA. My son left, a boy with a bleak future, and returned a man with direction. Zachary, his family and I will be forever grateful for what you have done with Zach. Thank you all for taking such good care of my son, and caring as much as you do about the kids in the program. I love you guys, seriously.
Sincerely,
Molly
(One of your biggest fans)
To any Parents who are thinking about sending their child to Project Challenge I want to tell you about this program. I am 30 years old and have been out of the program for 14 years. WOW! Seems like yesterday. This program saved my life. I was involved in tons of illegal and immoral activities, and was surely on my way to prison or death. Project Challenge pulled me out of the muck and mire. Yes it is tough. Yes your child will call you and say they are going to die, but trust me they are just fine. One thing we do as parents is desire to protect and nurture our kids. That is often a misused action. We enable our children by overprotecting them and often defending their actions instead of making them face their responsibilities. Is this program hard? YES! It is the hardest thing I have ever done! I have done a whole bunch of things since Project Challenge, and none of them even come close. It is tough physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and psychologically. It is a grind! It is up at dark and work until it is dark hard day, and it defiantly puts the tough in tough love! I can not stress how amazing this program is! Do whatever it takes to get your at risk teen in this program. Do not let time slip away and then wonder where you went wrong with your troubled child. Instead of visiting a prison or a grave site encourage them to make a change now. I had nothing before Project Challenge, I was heading down the wrong path, and wanted to die until Project Challenge saved me. After graduation I served in the US ARMY as a Chaplain Assistant. I have an amazing wife and 3 wonderful kids. Since Project Challenge and I have been working as a Teen Counselor. I plan on continuing my education and getting Masters degree in Addiction Counseling so I can give back to kids who went through what I went through. I say all this to tell you DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SAVE YOUR KIDS!
Former Youth ChalleNGe Cadet.
Thanks for all your support for Jesse the last few months…..you have ALL been an amazing influence in this young man’s life! I know Jesse will have a more balanced, optimistic and rewarding future because of YOU, the ACADEMY, the CADRE, the TEACHERS and the excellence you bring out in these young people. I will miss you all!
God Bless each and every one of YOU! Always,
Shelli
Wow I must say I can’t believe the difference 7 weeks has made. I want to thank you and so many others for the progress my son Brandon is making. I am absolutely amazed. I am so thankful and can’t wait to see what the next 16 weeks will bring. Its wonderful people like you care enough to help our children prosper. May God bless you all!
Rebecca
Just to let you know… although Zachary loved being home, he couldn’t wait to get back to his “papa bear”, James, and his buddies. He loved it up there, despite the yelling and work he knew he would have to do upon his return. I am very proud of the impact you have made on him, you should all be proud of yourselves. I would like you to pass along to Colonel Pettit and to Commandant Funk that I and possibly the other parents would like to meet the people that are in charge of our children while they are gone. First because I would like to introduce myself, but also because I would like them to know how much I appreciate what they are doing. I think it would be a positive experience on both sides. We could meet them and they could get a pat on the back for taking such good care of our kids while they are out of out care. I do believe that YOU know how I appreciate it, but the others also need to know that their work is appreciated.
The kids that have come back after their first break are the ones that truly believe in themselves and in what you are doing with them. I am proud of you and of them. Thank you soooo much for what you do James. You probably thought I was some crazy woman coming up to give you a hug at the break, but I couldn’t wait to meet you… you are truly a special individual to me and also to those boys in your care. Thanks again buddy!!! I look forward to seeing you again soon. Take care of my boy!!!!
Molly “Mimi”
Washington Youth Academy Students, Teachers, Employees and Mentors, what a great looking group of students you have in your academy! There appearance in the community has been noticed and appreciated! I was very impressed with the politeness and manners your students demonstrated in public. They are showing our community what a success this program is and will continue to be. What a thrill it has been driving by parks where these kids are working and doing their community service. I know the students are feeling rewarded and our community is benefiting from all their hard work and accomplishments. Thank you all for your commitments, hard work and dedication. Continued success in a great program. We need to help, protect, support and mentor our youth. Wishing everyone continued success. Students, you are great! Thank you for all you do in our community. You will look back and remember these life learning experiences as you venture out into the world of opportunities. Good Luck!
Sincerely,
Brenda