Governor Bill Richardson Announces New Mexico Youth Challenge Academy Will Stay Open

Press Release

Governor Bill Richardson announced today that the New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe
Academy will remain open through at least June 2011. The academy was slated to close after its current class due to funding and infrastructure restraints, but working with Governor Richardson, the city of Roswell and state and federal delegations, the New Mexico National Guard has developed a plan to keep the program going.

"I am pleased that we have come up with a plan to keep this important program open for now," Governor Richardson said. "However, it's going to take continued cooperation between the state, local officials and our congressional delegation to find solutions to the funding and infrastructure restraints to sustain the program long-term."

In order to keep the Youth ChalleNGe operating, the National Guard will be scaling back the number of students it accepts into the program. The National Guard is also coordinating funding from the federal government to match the in kind assistance provided by the State of New Mexico.

The National Guard Youth Challenge is a preventative "youth at risk" program to help significantly improve life skills and employment potential of youth who cease to finish High School. Youth Challenge promotes and teaches citizenship, academic excellence (GED/High School attainment), life-coping skills, leadership/followership, and physical fitness.

Since 2001 NM Youth Challenge has graduated 1,518 cadets. NM Youth Challenge has received three national awards including the most progressive Youth Challenge in the Nation, and two for the most progressive Youth challenge in academic excellence.

Members of the press should contact Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, State Public Affairs Officer, at 505-417-1751 or jamison.herrera@us.army.mil or Sgt. Suzanna Dominguez, State Public Affairs NCO, at 505-231-0114 or suzanna.y.dominguez@us.army.mil for further information.

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