Mentoring and Aftercare

The search for a positive role-model in the form of an adult mentor for each Cadet begins before the Cadet even enters the Alaska Military Youth Academy.

Each class of the Academy consists of 18 months in three phases. The first is Pre-ChalleNGe, the most difficult 2 weeks of the program. The second phase is the ChalleNGe residential phase, and the third phase is the year of aftercare.  During the residential phase the adult mentor visits the Cadet, writes letters, attends special events, tutors and takes the Cadet on pass. This caring, responsible adult friendship increases the Cadet's chance for continued success.

During the one year of aftercare (which follows the graduation from the residential phase) the Mentor and Cadet continue regular weekly contact by face-to-face visits, telephone, letter and email.  Both the Cadet and the Mentor send reports monthly to the aftercare office reporting the Cadet's placement on the job or in school.

The encouragement and support provided by the Mentors are an important part of each Cadet's success in work and school and sustaining the life-style changes made in the residential phase.

To qualify to be a mentor the adult chosen must be over the age of 21, the same gender as the cadet, and be able to pass a background clearance.  The mentor is asked to complete a mentor application (found under mentor application on this website) and attend a one-time mentor orientation class.  Many Cadets in the past have asked a godparent, church youth group leader or pastor, former employer, or father or mother of a friend to be the Mentor. Aunts, uncles and grandparents may be Mentors, as long as they are not immediate family members and are the same gender as the Cadet.

Mentoring is a critical part of the ChalleNGe Program.  For many youth, having a relationship with a caring adult who is a consistent and positive role model will make the difference between success and failure, not only during the residential phase, but during the aftercare as well.

The ChalleNGe Program is now the second largest mentoring program in the nation. The National Mentoring Partnership has awarded "The Excellence in Mentoring Award" for Program Leadership to the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program for its mentoring accomplishments.