Sen. Landrieu Celebrates BPCC, Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program Partnership

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and the Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, allowing cadets passing the GED test to also take course assessments with the potential to earn 15 college credits. This partnership will be a statewide initiative providing college access to students at Camp Minden, Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., and Gills W. Long in Carville, La.

"The Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program has a proven record of success for at-risk adolescents," Sen. Landrieu said. "Today's partnership with BPCC will offer even more opportunities for students in the program. I'd like to thank the National Guard and BPCC for their commitment to helping turn lives around and putting so many young people on the path to higher education and leadership in the work force and military. This is tremendous news for our young people, our state and our economy."

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a 17- month, voluntary second chance program for 16-18 year-old struggling youth who've dropped out of school. Participants have the opportunity to enhance life skills, increase self-esteem, learn job skills, and earn a high school diploma or GED. Since the program's inception in 1993, ChalleNGe has grown to 34 programs in 27 states and Puerto Rico and has helped more than 115,000 former dropouts make it to graduation day.

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