The Program Overview
The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is a community-based program that leads, trains and mentors at-risk youth so that they may become productive citizens in
This award-winning program has been recognized as one of the nation's most effective and cost efficient programs for targeting youth who are at the greatest risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and criminal activity.
Youth Challenge Program Success
- 67% of 2004 Challenge graduates received their high school diploma or GED.
- 40% joined the work force.
- 14.5% joined the military.
- 41% continued their education.
- Challenge saves an average of $109 million in juvenile corrections costs each year.
- Program participants have donated over 4 million hours of community service during the program's 13-year duration.
- Nearly 70,000 teens have graduated as of December 2006; thousands more are turned away each year.
- Saves education cost of $10-$15,000 per youth.
- Saves military recruiting costs of $16,000 per recruit.
States With Youth Challenge Programs:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, The District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
