Published: May 09, 2008 11:13 am         

Academy

Program targets troubled kids

If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Michael Ayres might be just the guy you need to talk to.

Ayers is the regional coordinator for the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy, a 17-month program designed as an alternative to high school. The academy’s goal is to catch kids before they get into serious trouble. Anyone with a felony conviction isn’t eligible.

The program is no walk in the park. It’s a structured program built on the military model. It’ll be demanding both mentally and physically.

But kids who make it through the program will come out at the top of their game. They’ll have a clear set of goals and a plan for achieving them.

Nationwide, about 20 percent of the kids who enroll in the program wind up joining the military. A similar number find jobs, and about half continue their educations by enrolling in college or a trade school.

This program has a proven track record of changing young lives. If you know someone who might benefit, give Ayres a call.



Who is eligible?

The program targets young men and women ages 16 to 19. It’s aimed at high school dropouts, expelled students or students who are behind in credits.

Participants must be Indiana residents who are drug-free with no felony convictions or pending charges, and they must demonstrate a commitment to the program.

Applications are due by June 20.

For more information, call Michael Ayers at (800) 237-2850, ext. 8137 #22 or visit www.ngycp.org/state/in