Alaska's First Lady launches national program for at-risk youth
By Judith Kohler,
The Associated Press
June 14, 2005
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. While the Western governors were tackling energy and other issues, Alaska First Lady Nancy Murkowski launched her own initiative Tuesday: a national program for at-risk youth.
Murkowski said during a news conference at the Western Governors' Association annual meeting in Breckenridge that she and other governors' spouses are trying to build support for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Her husband, Gov. Frank Murkowski, said the program aimed at 16- to 18-year-olds "sells itself" when he takes legislators on a tour of the military base in Anchorage that hosts it.
"The program gives kids a second chance, kids coming off the streets," Mrs. Murkowski said.
She said she hopes First Lady Laura Bush, who has made at-risk youths a priority, will support efforts to expand the program and increase its funding.
The National Guard sponsors 29 of the 17-month programs in 24 states. The federal government covers 60 percent of the costs and the states cover the rest.
The program is open to high school dropouts or students who've earned their general equivalent degrees. Teens, who must be drug-free, spend five months in a residential program, typically on a military base, and then a year being mentored.
Felicia Ridgway, 17, of Jacksonville, Fla., said she entered the program after her mother became interested. Ridgway, who was also at the news conference, said she rarely went to school after the fifth grade.
"Two years ago, I wouldn't have believed that I'd be in college, doing an internship and living in my own home," Ridgway said.
She is studying to be a dental hygienist and eventually plans to earn a bachelor's degree.
Mrs. Murkowski said the young woman is testimony to the benefits of investing in the program. She said about 2,500 youths drop out of high school daily.
Sending one teen through the program costs $14,500, compared with $40,000 for one teen in the youth corrections system.
"It's something that's going to save money and going to save America's kids," she added.
