The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy, a preventive rather than remedial at-risk youth program, targets District of Columbia youth who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age.

Core components of the program are:

•    Responsible Citizenship
•    Academic Excellence
•    Life-Coping Skills
•    Service to Community
•    Health and Hygiene
•    Job Skills Training
•    Leadership/Followership
•    Physical Fitness

The 22-week Residential Phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth’s community.

The program is a service of the Government of the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense through the National Guard.

If you, or someone you know is interested in enrolling in the program or becoming a mentor for the program, visit their website at:  www.ngycp.org/site/state/dc/