LIFE CHANGES AT TEXAS CHALLENGE ACADEMY

“Before I came to TCA I was constantly in trouble back at home. I wasn’t going to school, I was getting into fights, breaking my probation, and I cut off my ankle monitor just because I couldn’t wear my boots with it on. My parents started looking at TCA for me after the incident with the monitor. It was either TCA or TYC (youth prison). When I got the letter that I was accepted, my parents and I were so happy.
This program has allowed me to finish school early and get my GED. After I get settled into my new and better life, I’m going to repay my parents for all of the fines and tickets that they wrongly had to pay because of me.
I recommend Texas ChalleNGe Academy to anyone who is having trouble in their lives. The people at this program can help anyone who wants to be helped. The staff here become your second family for 5 ½ months.”  Tyler Bumpers

“Life before I got to ChalleNGe was quickly headed down the wrong path for me. I began hanging with the wrong crowd, getting into fights, and I started doing drugs. I just couldn’t seem to stay out of trou-ble. I was throwing everything that I was working so hard for away, and it just wasn’t right, not only for myself, but for the people that were supporting me, such as my parents. My mom brought up the idea of Texas ChalleNGe Academy.
Now that I’ve been at TCA, my life has totally changed. I’ve gained self-discipline and self-respect. I’m now a more motivated and dedicated person, who doesn’t give up on anything anymore. I’m also physi-cally and mentally stronger and DRUG FREE. Challenge is hard, but it’s still a great program, and I recommend it for anyone who is headed down the wrong path, and needs that second chance in life.” Edmund Samples

“I would go to school to get out of my house. I never saw it as a learning environment. I had NO disci-pline growing up. I did what I felt like doing and whenever I felt like doing it. I got in to some trouble with the law. I realized I was on a dangerous path and I needed to fix me fast. A counselor told me about TCA.
At TCA, I’m happy and energetic, the teachers are patient, positive and caring, and love their jobs. I recovered credits, took the military entrance exam and the GED. In TCA, I found support and someone to look up to.”
Isabel Arizpe

“We Can’t Thank You Enough”

"My son is in the current class at Sheffield. When he came home for his first liberty, I was so very proud of him. He is 16 years old. When we picked him up, standing straight with his shoul-ders broad and proud, he was a different child. The change in him is a miracle. I sent a child and TCA is making him a man. He is so proud of what he's been able to do physically, and still pushes himself beyond what he feels is his limit. Thank God for TCA. My son is out there doing what he thought was impossible. He's learned to have faith in himself. My thanks and prayers go out to everyone at TCA."
All our gratitude,
Mike and Deana

“I don’t know all of your names, but this thank you card goes to all of you. You have to have passion and belief in what you’re doing every day. I am amazed at your program and what you do. Because of your program, my son has been rescued. Thanks for caring about these kids!”
Cliff and Lisa Davis

 "Before my son went to TCA in Sheffield in January, he was on the wrong road, making bad decisions for himself. No matter how hard we tried to get him to do the right thing, it made no difference. We were looking at fines for him not going to school. When I thought he was in school, he was nowhere to be found. My husband and I went to the principal and told him we were out of answers and we had nowhere to go from here, we were told about Texas Challenge Academy. We were able to speak to Sgt. Rojas when he came to Odessa High.
My son, Steven, said that he would go, so I took him up on his offer. It was the best choice he has made in a long time. He was made to see that he does have a future and that he is worth something. He now has self-esteem, self-worth, and pride in himself. When Steven left in July, 2009, he graduated with his diploma and his GED - two things he never thought he would have.
Because of Texas Challenge Academy and Steven's hard work, he took the oath to join the Air Force to train to be a pilot - a dream of his since childhood.
Thank all of you who had a hand in helping Steven make his dream come true. Thank you to the National Guard for helping our young people see that they can do what they want to do and have a full life."
Schona Moore, proud parent of Steven Moore, Jr