Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy conducts first Informational Session

Monday, February 06, 2017 | 08:08am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Leaders of the Tennessee Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy will conduct an informational session at 6:00-7:00p.m., CST, on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the 117th Regional Training Institute, Tennessee Army National Guard, 618 Fitzhugh Blvd., in Smyrna.

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is a voluntary 17 ½ - month program that is very disciplined and structured and uses a quasi-military model to increase the chance of success for these youth.  Participants have the opportunity to enhance life skills, increase self-esteem, learn job skills, and if they qualify, cadets will have the opportunity to take the high school equivalency test (HiSet).  ChalleNGe works with program participants after graduation to help enroll in college, trade school, start a career or join the military.  More than 145,000 students have graduated to date, changing the path for their lives.  By intervening in the lives of troubled adolescents, ChalleNGe is making a difference.  It is the only program of its kind providing graduates with a personal mentor for one year to help the transition into adulthood.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. 16-18 years old at time of entry to the program
  2. A high school dropout or at risk of dropping out due to credit deficiency or other risk factors
  3. Drug Free
  4. Mentally and physically able to participate in the program
  5. Not currently on parole or probation for more than juvenile status offenses.  Not awaiting sentencing, and not under indictment, charged or convicted of a crime that is considered a felony when charged as an adult
  6. A legal resident of the US and the state of Tennessee

NGYCP currently operates 39 programs in 28 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia and the opening of the Tennessee Volunteer Challenge Academy (TNVCA) increases the number of programs to 40.  NGYCP is a first for Tennessee and we are excited to be able to offer the youth across the state the opportunity to “Volunteer 2 ChaNGe”!

WHO:                     Bill Marley, Director, Tennessee Volunteer Challenge Academy

                                 Bearlyn Ash, Dep. Director, Tennessee Volunteer Challenge Academy

                                 Leah Powell, Recruitment/Placement/Mentoring Coordinator (RPM)

                                 Brandon Russell, Recruiter Assistant

WHAT:                    Informational Session – TN Volunteer Challenge Academy

WHEN:                    6:00 –7:00 p.m., CST on Tuesday, February 7, 2017

WHERE:                  117th Regional Training Institute, Tennessee Army National Guard

                                  618 Fitzhugh Blvd.

                                  Smyrna, TN 37167

Anyone who has questions or wants to learn more about TNVCA is invited to attend.  Additional information is available at the following website:  www.tnvolunteerchallenge.com or call 629.888.5868 or email tnvca@tn.gov